Sporting my post summer glow after nine glorious days on the Greek Island of Rhodes. What a beautiful, ancient land bursting with history and breathtaking scenery. We stayed at the Elysium Resort and Spa, a fantastic five star hotel with one of the most stunning beaches. If you are looking for pure luxury this is it.
We took the local bus into Old Town, the medieval city of Rhodes almost every evening for dinner. I really wanted authentic, fresh Greek food. Needless to say we ate a lot of Souvlaki and plenty of fresh fish. The weather was perfect, blue skies and sunshine save for the evenings when it was still warm but very windy. We rented a car for one day to drive up to Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies.
Now makeup wise I switched between my Bareminerals and Estee Lauder DoubleWear which is what I'm wearing in the photo above. I love the whole routine of being at the beach all day to get back to your room, shower and get ready for dinner. It was still pretty hot and humid in the evening and I must say my makeup held up incredibly well. I brought one blush and one blush only, Benefit Coralista! It is the perfect blush and highlight in one.
Hello lovelies, these have been my go to products for summer. I've mentioned before that mineral powder is fabulous for hot and humid weather as it does not slide off. I particularly like Laura Mercier mineral foundation as I find it has the best coverage and really leaves skin super flawless. You can wear this over your regular foundation for extra staying power. I dust a bit of bronzer and pop a bright peachy/pink blush on the apples of my cheeks and I'm good to go. I don't like to fuss with too much eye makeup so I start of with a cream base like Maybelline Colour Tattoo which again won't budge, then top off with my new obsession Urban Decay Moondust in Spacecowboy. This gives the most gorgeous sparkle and works over top any eyeshadow. For lips I line and fill in with Urban Decay 24/7 glide on lip pencil in the shade Native, this pink is perfection and looks more natural than a nude. This won't come off it really does what it says. I top off with Mac plushglass in Fashion Fanatic, a bubblegum pink plumping gloss that is not sticky. Last but not least a slick of Benefit Gimme Brow to keep unruly brows in place.
What are your favourite products to use this summer?
Happy Friday lovelies. I love when I have time to sit down and really enjoy putting on my makeup.
Summer is all about glowy, youthful sunkissed skin. I'm all about luminosity but being an uber oily skinned girl this can be rather tricky without looking like a hot mess! I opted for my all time favourite Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (full review here) for coverage and staying power, I mixed a small amount with a pump of Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer (full review here) which gives the most gorgeous, non greasy glow. The combination is simply divine! I applied with a damp beauty blender for the lightest application.Cheeks were dusted over lightly with Bareminerals ready blush in Aphrodite which is very similar to Benefit Coralista.I think peachy shades are a must of summer.
For eyes I am still obsessed with the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I find the shades so flattering to my skintone and eye colour. I'm enjoying sporting an all over lid shade at the moment and these metallic tones really enhanceglowing skin.I used my bronzer as a transition colour and Suspect all over the lid and lower lashline. I lined my eyes with Soap&Glory Supercat liquid liner in black.
I love a nude lip, who doesn't? paired with a smoky eye it's just perfection. It's one of my favourite make-up looks to wear on a night out. I think I have found the ultimate nude lip combo. It's a gorgeous combination of neutral and pink tones so you won't get that washed out look. You can wear this lip day or night.
Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb in the shade Never Nude Enough is a moisture plumping lip tint that leaves lips with a natural shine. Estee Lauder Automatic Lip Pencil in Fig creates a seamless liner that works beautifully when drawn just outside the lip line, creating fuller lips. Nars lipgloss in Belize is a darker nude shade with flecks of purple and gold that help give it stunning dimension.
What is your go to nude lip? I'm obsessed let me know!
Thank you for reading and commenting BlondeTeaParty x
Hello lovelies happy Sunday! Having had some very lovely comments on my skin lately, I thought I would share with you my complete skin care regime.This is everything I use morning and night without fail. I haven't had it easy with my skin in the past, so once I find something that works I stick to it religiously. I still try new products now and then but nothing has come close to my trusty skincare arsenal.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: This has been my number one cleanser for the last five years. This removes every trace of makeup, even mascara in one easy step. I contains naturally active ingredients like cocoa butter and eucalyptus, leaving skin scrupulously clean and soft. It is perfect for acne prone skin. I wish I had this when I was fourteen and struggling with the worst acne of my life!
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic: After cleansing I use this to close my pores and complete the cleansing process preparing my skin for treatments and moisturiser. This is alcohol free so great for sensitive skin. It has aloe vera and vitamin E to soothe and tone your skin. Its so refreshing and smells subtly of roses. I couldn't be without this.
bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser: This is a gel cleanser that removes all traces of makeup leaving skin smooth and supple. It has no nasty ingredients. It contains rare mineral active soil complex which helps regenerate skin. I like to use this in the morning. Just one pump is all you will need, it doesn't dry out my skin and keeps it clear.
bareMinerals Multi-Wrinkle Repair: This is a serum which targets those pesky frown lines and keeps skin looking plump and youthful. I use this in the morning before my moisturiser and in the summer this replaces my moisturiser all together. It contains the revolutionary Active Soil Complex which is naturally derived. I love this this stuff and am on my third or fourth bottle. Serums penetrate skin on a much deeper level helping to repair damaged skin and protect future damage.
Rachel K CC Renew: (see full review here ) This is my all in one, my moisturiser, my sun protection, my anti-age and my primer. I love this stuff and I can't rave about it enough! This just melts into my skin, blurs out my pores and just leaves my skin flawless. This is great on its own as the coverage is medium to full or under foundation. Great for the gym or popping to the shops.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair: ( see full review here) I am totally obsessed with this serum I don't know why it took me so long to try it! oh yeah the price tag! This is a serum that completely transforms skin overnight. It repairs sun and environmental damage and continues to protect skin against future damage. It is amazing and you will notice the difference in your skin almost immediately. Go get you some!!
Decleor Harmonie Calm Eye Cream: The lightest gel eye cream I have found that doesn't cause those little white bumps. This smells divine as all Decleor products do, leaves my eye area hydrated and ready for my concealer. Its not sticky or too wet, it absorbs quickly into my skin and has a cooling sensation.
Ren Invisible Pores Detox Mask: This is my weekly mask that keeps my skin in check. It does exactly what it says on the bottle. I have humongous pores and this makes them disappear before my very eyes! I love it! It smells clean and fresh, it has no parabens or synthetic fragrance and leaves my skin clearer and smoother. You can purchase this at Space NK.
Tiana Coconut Oil: I use this all over my body, in my hair and for cooking. Its one of the most healthiest oil you can use especially when cooking as it maintains its nutrients even at high heat. It has so many health benefits its unreal. It is great for dry skin conditions, stretch marks, scars, removing makeup, hair conditioning, hands and feet and delicious in tea or coffee. You can even use it to replace butter in baking!
So there you have it my secret to amazing skin is out ;) check out my video below to see how excited these products make me.
Hello lovelies how are you today? I wanted to share with you some lovely pressies I got for Christmas and a few bits that I picked up from Sephora while I was in the States. I am like a kid in a sweet shop I just want to play with everything and pretty much buy everything too! So for Christmas and Birthdays my sister and I make lists of things we would like so our parents and eachother can pick and choose. So, my lovely lil sis got me the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Vanilla which I am obsessed with and a Nars lip gloss in the colour Belize. I adore this ever since I saw Louise from Made In Chelsea wear it. Its a nude mauve with golden flecks, stunning! Then from my Mummy dearest I got the Estee Lauder Automatic Duo Lip Pencil in the shade Fig ( Jennifer Anistons fav pencil didn't ya know) yes that's exactly why I wanted it. It really is the perfect shade of nude. Next was my Estee Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil in the shade Coffee. This is the most richest shade of brown you will ever find, doesn't budge. Great alternative to black. From my lovely boyfriend I got a Prada L'eau gift set which came with a mini body lotion and a gorge cosmetic pouch.
While in Las Vegas my sister and I visited Sephora literally
everyday! I picked up some long overdue coveted items- Josie Maran Argan Illuminser: the most amazing highlighter, glow giver I have ever used. Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb in Never Enough Nude: have been desperate for this ever since I saw Vanessa Bombshell Suite talk about it in one of her videos. Plumps my lips up something amazing! Gives a lovely satin finish too. Loving! Next up BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in the shade Light. Me and sissy normally wear Matte but she picked up the Original by mistake, it looks so gorgeous on her I just had to have it too.
Last but not least I was pottering in around in CVS and saw Wet N Wild Reserve Your Cabana as I have heard so many superb things about it I had to get it , naturally. This is a really nice toned down highlight, great for work or setting under eye concealer.
So there you have it. No more shopping for this girl! Project shop my stash has begun! Who's with me?!
please watch my video below to see these beauties in action.
Thank you all so much for stopping by I love interacting with you so please do leave me a lovely comment :) BlondeTeaParty x
Hello lovelies and Happy New Year!! Kicking off the New Year I'm all about getting my skin in the best possible condition. It couldn't be easier since using this little miracle in a brown bottle. Yes you've all heard the rave on this and its true its absolutely amazing! Results are literally over night, I'm not exaggerating. Advanced Night Repair was first introduced in 1982 and has been a number one seller ever since! It has recently been reformulated with the synchronised recovery complex II giving it even more power for the modern day face. It is an anti-age night serum which repairs damaged skin and dramatically reduces the signs of ageing while you sleep. It is a fact that while we sleep our bodies ability to regenerate is much faster that during the day as we are fighting pollution, sun and daily ageing elements. It also protects you skin in the long term against future damage from UVA and UVB light, smoke and pollution.
A serum is used before a moisturiser and is absorbed by the skin on a much deeper epidermal level resulting in maximum and continuous skin repair. The texture is light and silky and melts into skin. ANR contains vital levels of Hyaluronic Acid which help the skin retain moisture instantly and overtime.
So if you are unhappy with your skin or its looking a bit lacklustre give this a try, you won't regret it. Its perfect for all skin types and best of all doesn't cause breakouts!
Hello lovelies. Here is one of my looks I've been rocking for Autumn. I love the transition into deeper, darker colours. This look is so easy and I think its perfect for day or night. I wore this to my Birthday Mad Hatters Tea Party and drinks after. Here is what I used:
Face
Rachel K CC Cream in Neutral
Estee Lauder DoubleWear in Dawn 2w1
Mac Pro LongWear Concealer in nw20
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001 Translucent Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Antigua 2 Mac Soft & Gentle Highlighter
Eyes
Naked Palette 1 Sin, Virgin, Darkhorse, Hustle Mac Eye Pencil Teddy Mascara Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing in Black
Lips
Mac Lip Pencil in Magenta Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry Buxom Lip Plumping Gloss in Dolly
Hello lovelies. New to my collection something which I have been coveting for ages! Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess in 03 Medium Deep. This is the most luxurious bronzer (apart from chanel de solei) I've ever owned. First of all the packaging is so classy and glamerous, I love the tortoiseshell lid and the box it came in is just pure sunshine.It comes with a rather good size half moon brush. The colour is perfect for light to medium skintones. It's oil free and provides a natural matte finish, perfect for us oily gals! It has a huge mirror which you can see your whole face in brilliant! The texture is super soft and fine. It's so easy to blend, it just glides on effortlessly. You could use this in the summer instead of setting powder its that good at controlling oil. I use it as my contour and as an all over bronzer to warm up my complexion. This is going to be fantastic in the summer to use on shoulders and decolletage as its big enough you don't need a separate bronzer for you body or worry about using up your face bronzing powder. It's an all in one and I absolutely adore it.Thanks Mum :) Teehee
Hello beauty babes! So I thought I would keep you up to date with my everyday makeup look for work and how I like to get ready in the morning.
As if getting up early isn't hard enough it's cold and dark too now! There is nothing more excruciating for me than my alarm going off at 6am and having to get out of my warm, snug bed! I hate getting up early, no I really hate it! First things first I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth whilst in my mind cursing the ungodly hour. I then put the TV on so I can watch 90210 while I have my breakfast, I find this eases me into life again and calms me down, plus I like looking at the makeup the girls wear!
I put the kettle on and my porridge in the microwave, I curse the ungodly hour. Now I check the time on the TV, at 6:45 nearing 6:50 as I'm already engrossed in 90210, I head to my room to do my makeup and get dressed. I have to be out the door by 7:25 to get the 7:34 train. Once I start on my makeup, time goes out the window, I don't check my clock at all! I find doing my makeup such an enjoyable, soothing ritual. I do the same look everyday bar my lips. I like to look fresh and awake, so pink blush, no eyeliner, curled lashes and lots of black mascara! This look is quick, easy and appropriate for a corporate work environment.
Here is what I use starting from my skincare:
Bare Minerals Purifying Facial Cleanser
Bare Minerals Multi-Wrinkle Repair Serum
Rachel K CC Cream in Neutral
Foundation Estee Lauder DoubleWear in Dawn 2w1
Concealer Collection 2000 in medium 3
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001
Bourjois Chocolate Bronzing Powder
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Antigua
Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Power in my socket line to define eye
Mascara Maybelline One by One
Lips NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Nude Peach Fuzz
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Hello lovelies! Happy Tuesday! Any of you who are die hard fans of Estee Lauder DoubleWear Foundation will know that the formula has changed. The shade range has also changed as 10 new shades have been added, so now there is a whopping 30 shades, problem is, customers are finding that their regular go to shades have altered, making them darker,pinker or orange.
Estee Lauder say they haven't changed the formula, just added more colours to the range!! You can't pull the wool over our eyes! The formula has clearly changed, its nothing like the original DW if anything its similar to DW Light. The texture is much more fluid, not nearly as much coverage and does not hold back shine as well as the original did.
I've been trialing out a ten day sample in the shade Tawny 3w1, I used to wear Sand!
Estee Lauder DoubleWear Stay in place makeup
non stop wear- even through heat and humidity,comfortable, oil free, oil controlling, 15hr staying power, medium, buildable, SPF 10, natural semi matte finish.
Having had the old formula, I noticed the change straight away. Some may welcome the new change, others not so much. I personally found the old formula to be more oil controlling.
The original formula was thicker in consistency and dried to a matte finish on the skin. I never had oil break through with this, never had to blot once.
The new formula's blendability is great and it feels light on the skin but it has a very dewy effect for me. It does not stay matte at all which was the whole purpose of this foundation.
ELDW Original Formula - CONS
Thick consistency, dried quickly so had to work fast to blend
Tendency to look cakey/chalky if over applied
Caused white cast in photographs
PROS
Full coverage, covered acne and scars perfectly
Oil control, never had a shiny nose
Long lasting, stayed put from morning till night
Transfer resistant, never rubbed off on clothes or phone
ELDW New Formula - CONS
Medium coverage
Minimal oil control, I'm shiny by 11am
Changes to original shades
Transferred while talking on my phone
PROS
Easy to blend into the skin
Soft focus effect
Photographs beautifully
Looks natural and fresh
Does not get cakey
Feels comfortable, like you're wearing nothing on your skin
Easy to remove
So, whats the verdict I hear you say? Well, its a beautiful foundation, I like the way it feels and looks on my skin, I only wish it controlled oil like its predecessor. Needless to say I will be purchasing a full sized bottle.
So here are some foundations that I currently own and use intermittently. For work I use Estee LauderDoubleWear Light, this stays put all day and does not get shiny once set with powder. I had been using Revlon Colourstay for combination/oily for a long time, nearly a year!! I have never finished a bottle of foundation since this one! It is very long lasting, stays fresh and doesn't oxidise. Sometimes it can look to makeupy if that makes sense? Then there is Laura Mercier Silk Creme, the rave reviews for this was unbelievable so I had to try it!! This takes alot of getting used to and the application method is key. I have applied this with fingers, an assortment of brushes and a sponge. The best way this works, I find is with a sponge. It is very thick in consistency, but spreads like a dream. You really don't need alot at all. I find if you put just a bit too much it gets cakey throughout the day. Just a small amount spread lightly with a sponge give a beautiful finish. This does get shiny during the day and I have to blot several times but it does look beautiful in pictures! I set this with MAC Mineralize and normally wear this on the weekends. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk this is great if you have a perfect complexion or had a late night and want to look fresh. I haven't found the best way to apply this yet, it doesn't give me enough coverage and it makes my face shine like a disco ball. So I only ever use this on super skin days. Lastly Chanel Double Perfection Matt Powder Foundation so I got this off EBay as it is not sold here in the UK. I wanted this so badly as Cupcakekissesxxx on youtube swears by this.
This does not give me any coverage and does not last till lunch time! My face literally eats this up.
I really wanted to love this so have tried it again and again, wet , dry, brush, sponge but to no avail.
I think this for me just works for touch up during the day of as a setting powder.
The quest for the perfect foundation continues.
What are some of your go to foundations? and how do you like to apply them?
