#bbloggers magazine issue 1

BRITAIN’S ONLY DEDICATED GUIDE FOR BEAUTY BLOGGERS

#BBLOGGERSSEPTEMBER 2015 www.bbloggers.co.uk

ISSUE #1

THE LAUNCH ISSUEYOUR GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF

BEAUTY

“WINNING A BLOG AWARD WAS A DREAM COME TRUE”

MEGAN LILLIEAKATHUMBELINALILLIE

ONLY

£2

THE ULTIMATE

5FLAWLESS BASES

YOUR TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

HIDDEN GEMSTHE MANY USES OF

COCONUT OIL

CONTENTSBudget Beauty23 FoundationsFrom matte to dewy we find the best affordable foundations on the market.

24 EyebrowsBrows are a statement point of the face, play up your brows and find the best products to do so.

25 EyesEye shadow, mascara, eyeliner all add to a perfect look. We round up our favourites.

26 LipsticksLipstick can transform an entire look, we’ve rounded up our favourite to give you a perfect pout.

27 PowdersContouring, highlighting, blush? See our favourites

INTERVIEW28 Ashley WallaceAshley chats to us about the struggles she faced to become a make-up artist and what it finally means to her to call herself an MUA.

34 Megan LillieTeeside-born Megan has a blog following over 5,000. We chatted all things beauty and blogging including her biggest blogging tips.60 SEO: What you need to knowRon Perry gives an SEO master class from optimizing content for Google and the difference between nofollow and dofollow links.

75 Five minutes with Caroline Hirons#BBLOGGERS resident skincare specialist on her blogging story.

PHOTOSHOOT45 Hottest winter make-up looksBold purple lips and deep smoky eyes, a how-to this winter.

Blogging20 Instagram accounts you need to followThe best beauty related Instagram accounts we love.

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Make-Up10 Catwalk trendsThe hottest A/W trends straight from the runway.

14 Go bold this winterA selection of products to transform your look.18 Celebrity get the lookWe show you how to achieve a look from A-listers including Blake Lively and Emma Stone.42 Makeup revolution brand focusWe love new brand on the block MUR, here are our favourites

from the affordable brand.

55 Return of the winter lipBerries? Reds? Nudes? We’ve got you covered, find your perfect shade this season.

65 How to choose your perfect foundationWe’ve found your ultimate foundation match.

68 Cult beautyHas your favourite product made it onto the cult beauty list?

69 Your beauty favouritesYou have spoken and chosen your favourite beauty products of all time.

70 Inside my make-up bagThe products you keep in your make-up bag for on-the-go touch-ups.

Beauty 12 #BBLOGGERS lovesA rundown of the latest produt releases.

16 Beauty booksThe best beauty books from our favourite YouTubers and beauty residents.

21 Magic oil – coconut oilThe miracle uses of our new favourite product.

54 Winter nail polishThe hottest shades you need on your nails.

56 Winter skincare routineYour new four-step winter skincare routine.

30 Blogger VS WordPressWhat you need to know about each platform.

58 Blogging secretsAdvice for newbie bloggers.

63 Social mediaThe platforms you need to be using.

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WelcomeWelcome to the first issue of #BBLOGGERS! As beauty blogger myself I noticed how the industry was lacking a dedicated beauty blogger guide, so here I am bringing you just that! I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite products from this issue. First up (pg 13) are the Revlon HD lipsticks. The pigment is incredible and they’re so creamy for a satin lipstick. Benefit POREfessional (pg 72) is my Holy Grail face primer, it smooths and fills in pores like a dream. Estee Lauder Double Wear (pg 72) is another Holy Grail of mine. The longevity of this foundation is amazing and no other foundation can beat it! A favourite in general has to be eyebrows. After recently having them waxed and tinted I’m obsessed with finding new brow products and the search for the perfect brow combination continues! A big human favourite for me has been Fleur De Force, she is the most relatable down-to-Earth YouTuber I have watched. She has amazing product recommendations and flawless style. Fleur’s book The Glam Guide has been my favourite beauty book that I have read to date. I highly recommend it! Last up for my favourites is Makeup Revolution. I love their affordable products and they have become a firm favourite amongst bloggers and beauty editors alike. I hope that you enjoy the first issue of #BBLOGGERS, don’t forget to tweet us using the #bbloggersmag.

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Daniella xDaniella Keating, Editor

editor’s letter

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EditorDaniella Keating

EDITORS PA Kelly White

DEPUTY EDITOR Melanie Scott

MAKEUPEDITOR Melody Barn Director Lucy Grece

WRITERS Fern Killm, Hollie Seat

FEATURESEDITOR Leah NewsteadDirector Brenda Well

WRITERS Jane Smith, Frankie Smart, Toni Garm

HAIREDITOR Florence Aspa

DEPUTY EDITOR Kareen JonceHAIR STYLIST Lauren Veryn

WRITERS Susan Rite, Penelope Starr, Kim Porter

SKINCAREEDITOR Bette Kirsher

DEPUTY EDITOR Mia PorterWRITERS Shannon Green, Louise Kanard, Ebony Black

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION SENIOR SUB EDITOR Danielle Purids SUB EDITOR Anna Rider

The magazine #BBLOGGERS is for Daniella Keating’s university project at Sunderland University and it is not being published for any financial gain. Adverts are not my own and belong to the brands in question. Not all of the images in

#BBLOGGERS are my own. If credit could be found it is given throughout #BBLOGGERS. No celebrity images are my own.

#BBLOGGERSstaff

A/W trends, straight from the catwalkWe show you the hottest make-up trends from the A/W Catwalks

Alexan

der McQ

ueen

Chanel

Dior

Dior

Donna Karen Giambasta V

ali

Phillip Lim

MAC Morange

Lipstick £15.50

Urban Decay eye shadow Dive Bar £14


Chloe

Giambasta V

ali

Giles

Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant

Lanvin

Marc Jacobs

Nina Ricci

Osc

ar D

e La

Ren

ta

PradaPrada

Ver

sace

Rimmel Scandeleyes Kohl £3.99

MaxFactor Lipstick

Berry Me £7.99

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Catwalk report

#BBLOGGERSLOVES

GLITTER REMOVER

PINK POP

NOURISHING CARE

LIQUID LIPPIE

COMFORTComfort and full-coverage is something that we love in a foundation. Rimmel’s Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation has combined comfort with coverage for a flawless base. Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation £6.99

This winter it is all about the flushed look. Add a pop of pink to your cheeks to make your skin look youthful and pinched by the cold. We love Bobbi Brown’s creamy, buttery, pigmented blushers. Bobbi Brown Blush Palette £34

With vitamin E rich almond oil and coconut essence Head & Shoulders have hit the nail on the head. Dandruff free and silky smooth hair? Yes please! Head & Shoulders 2 in 1 Moisture Care Shampoo and Conditioner £3.99

We love Anastasia’s eye shadows so we couldn’t wait to try their liquid lipsticks. Liquid lipsticks are all the rage amongst the blogosphere and Anastasia’s version definitely do not disappoint. The long-wearing formula doesn’t dry out the lips and the shade range is incredible! Anastasia Liquid Lipstick £24

If you have ever worn glitter nail polish you understand the struggle to get it off - it’s near impossible! That’s why we love Butter London’s Glitter Scrubbers, they’re a fuss-free way of removing glitter polish. Butter London Glitter Scrubbers £8

Here are our top picks of the new releases this winter.


HAIR HERO

IT’S SIMPLE

DAISY SORBET

BATH TEA

A 3 in 1 micellar water? Yes please! A cleansing, moisturising make-up remover is definitely what we need in our skincare stash. Simple Micellar Water £4.49

Us Brits are known for our obsession with a cup of tea. That obsession has gone further with bath tea! The Body Shop’s Fuji Green Tea leaves the body feeling relaxed and smelling scrumptious. The Body Shop Fuji Green Bath Tea £12

We are big fans of Daisy original and we love Daisy Sorbet even more! With floral notes and cute packaging we love douzing ourselves in this sweet floral scent. Marc Jacobs Daisy Sorbet Edition EDT £50

HD LIPS

We’ve been waiting for what seems like forever for the Revlon HD lipsticks to land in the UK. The buttery, texture and pigmented formula glides on the lips effortlessly for a bold lip. Revlon HD Lipsticks £7.99

For long-lasting volume with a back comb effect without the damage we love Kerastase V.I.P. The dry formula has a fine mist that gives the hair a lot of volume without any residue. Perfect for night outs or when the hair is looking flat. Kerastase Volume In Powder £21


beauty loves

Subbotina Anna

Go bold this winterBright lips, smoky eyes, bold brows this is what winter is all about. Be bold and rock a purple lipstick, go heavy with the blush, layer up on mascara. Winter is the time to experiment. We

show you the products to achieve a bold, winter look.

Charlotte Tilbury Swish & Pop Blusher £30

Chanel Vitalumiere

Aqua £33

Maybelline Brow Drama

£4.99

Lord & Berry Matte Lipstick Diva £10

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy Eye

Shadow £40

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer £17

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Dipbrow Pomade £15

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Nude Pink £5.99

Dior Colourshow Iconic Khohl £19.50

Maybelline The Falsies £7.99

Estee Lauder Double Wear

£29.50Urban Decay

Revolution Lipstick Native £15.50

Rimmel Scandaleyes

Eyeliner £3.99

Illamasqua Obsidian £15.50

Benefit Hoola Bronzer £24

Dia

ne

Von

NA

RSV

ersa

cePa

lmer

Har

din

g


winter beauty

Charlotte Tilbury Swish & Pop Blusher £30

Top Beauty Books

5The Glam GuideFleur De Force

Fleur De Force started uploading videos to YouTube in 2009

because of her passion for beauty and fashion. What began as a hobby for her quickly turned into over 1

million subscribers. With her YouTube success it gave her the opportunity to write her own book, The Glam Guide. With a mix of beauty, fashion, style, relationships and healthy eating it covers every aspect of life. With a mix of photographs and gorgeous illustrations The Glam Guide is a delightful read.

pretty honestsali hughes

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes is well-known and well-loved in

the beauty industry. Pretty Honest is a straight talking beauty guide for the everyday woman. Sali explains

everything in a way that can be understood by all beauty lovers. With personal anecdotes and an easy-to-follow style, Pretty Honest is a great on-the-go read for beauty lovers of any age.

miles of macGager and Miles aldridge

MAC Cosmetics are one of the most well-known beauty brands out there.Miles of MAC presents 100 looks that showcase the span of MAC’s 30 years high-fashion make-up lifespan. If you’re more into visuals then Miles of MAC

is the beauty book for you.

BeautyLauren conrad

We loved Lauren Conrad on The Hills, didn’t we

all? Most of all we loved her style and her make-up always looked beautiful. Lauren Conrad’s Beauty

book provides all the information you need wether you’re just starting out or you’re more of a beauty veteran. The charming writing style infused with Lauren’s bubbly personality makes it a warm read.

make-up manualbobbi brown

Bobbi brown is a well-known beauty brand creator. Bobbi Brown

cosmetics are well-loved amongst beauty lovers and great amazing products. The Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

is for those that want a more visiual guide. With amazing image tutorials on how to create the perfect look. We love this book for inspo if we are unsure of what look to wear on a day-to-day basis.


beauty books

CELEBRITYGET THE

Look

Blake Lively, Rita Ora, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson and Millie Mackintosh always look

flawless. Whether it’s a heavy smoky eye, or no make-up,

make-up these celebs always look gorgeous. Here’s how to

steal their A-list glamour looks at home.

Blake livelyBlake Lively always has a statement look, whether

it’s rocking a neutral eye and a bold lip or a soft gold girly look. To get Blake’s shimmery gold eye

pat on a gold eye-shadow all over the lid and own the lower lash line (Urban Decay’s Half Baked) then finish the eye with lashings of mascara on both the top and lower lashes. Maybelline’s The Colossal will do the trick! To add a bronze glow to the skin use The Body Shop’s Honey bronzer, making sure you hit all the outside perimeters of the face. Finish the skin off with pink blush, hitting the apples of the cheeks. Blake’s lips are rosy and shimmery, for this use Maybelline’s Super Stay 24 Hour Lipstick in Ultimate Blush and add a clear gloss on top for a perfect pout. To achieve Blake’s messy half-up, half-down hairstyle part your hair down the centre, grab half on each side and pin each side back, making sure that both parts are together. Pull some of the fringe onto the face and finish off with a sprinkle of L’Oreal’s Elnett Hairspray.

Emma Stone


celeb beauty

Rita Ora

Rita Ora is well-known for her bleach blonde hair. She always pairs her perfect blonde locks with a bold lip and a smoky eye. To

achieve Rita’s smoky look add some black eye shadow into the outer v of your eye and blend towards the crease, MAC’s Carbon would be perfect for this. Press Carbon along the lower lash line two thirds along. Use a slate grey eye shadow towards the tear duct but stop just before the tear duct to keep the eye open and awake. Use L’Oreal’s Super Liner to add a thick line of liner on the lower lash line, finish with mascara and add Ardell’s Demi Wispies false lashes to complete the look. To add warmth to the face use Too Faced Chocolate Soilel Bronzing powder, hitting the high points of your face for a sun kissed glow. For lips use MAC’s Morange, tap the creamy formula in for extra staying power. For Rita’s gorgeous hair, separate your parting into a side parting and straighten all of the hair down. Spray some hairspray on the roots and pat the hair down for that super-sleek look.

Emma StoneHollywood beauty Emma Stone

always looks fresh and girly. For this effortlessly chic look start

off the base with Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. This will give you a flawless base w41ith a dewy glow. Finish off the base with a matte pink blush, Make Up Academy’s blush in Candyfloss is a gorgeous shade and really affordable. Emma’s eyes are really simple, for this use Rimmel’s Glam Eyes eye-liner and thinly line the upper lash line gently flicking out at the outer corner. Add lashings of mascara and the eyes are done! The statement part of Emma’s look is her vibrant pink lips, this look is gorgeous for everyday as the rest of the look is simple. To recreate Emma’s hot pink lips use Revlon’s Colourburst Matte Balm in the shade Unapologetic. To achieve Emma’s girly beachy waves start off with a heat protection spray and brush it all through the hair so it’s evenly distributed. Use a curling wand like Remington’s Silk Waving wand and split the hair off into four of five sections and start curling large sections of hair. When the hair is curled run your fingers through the girls, add some texturising spray and your beachy waves are complete!


Instagram Accounts You Need To FollowWe understand the Instagram addiction so that’s why we have to share our favourite

accounts to follow on the snap-sharing app.

TrendMood1For all the hottest beauty releases from MAC Limited Edition Collections to upcoming drug-store releases Trend Mood have it all. With exclusive sneak peeks that you won’t find anywhere else, the Instagram account is full of beautiful images and swatches.

AlexPaiigeAlex has built up a following of over 20,000 followers with her creative make-up looks. For inspiration that is outside most people’s comfort zone of neutral browns Australian beauty lover Alex shows how to wear colour for a wearable, eye-catching look.

ABeautifulDelightAbbie is a 23-year-old mum to be. With regular ‘baby bump’ updates as well as skincare recommendations for pregnant women, if you’re expecting Abbie’s account is definitely worth checking out. As a beauty lover she has lots of product reviews that she posts weekly.

BeautyBucketeerMake-up artist Stephanie Casidy shows an insight into her life as a mother-of-one and a make-up fanatic. With a mix of posts including make-up product flat lays, reviews and nail art there is something for every beauty lover.


instagram

Nature’s magical oil

Coconut OilCoconut oil isn’t just

for cooking, it is also a beauty multitasker and works wonders

on the skin and hair. The do-it-all ingredient can be used to remove make-up and moisturise the skin.

Although coconut oil is solid it can easily be melted. It makes a great hair mask for dry, damaged hair. All you have to do is melt the coconut oil – it can be done in the palm of your hands – and slather it on the hair, focusing on the ends. It can be left on for a few hours if the hair is only slightly dry or left on overnight if your hair needs more TLC. Simply wash out with shampoo and skip conditioner. Your hair will shiny, smooth and luscious. Ami Rose loves Vita Coconut Oil: “It makes my hair so soft and shiny.”

Coconut oil’s creamy texture makes it great as a body oil. After showering smooth over a palm size amount all over your warm skin. The oil will melt and leave your skin supple and soft with a tropical scent that will linger

on the skin. Katy Gilroy loves the scent of coconut oil: “I like how the scent lingers on my skin, it smells so good.”

Chapped winter lips and coconut oil is a match made in heaven. The ultra-hydrating oil restores lips and makes them smooth and a perfect base for applying lipstick.

Suffer with dry and flaky nails? Apply coconut oil to your cuticles and allow it to sink in. It will moisturise the delicate cuticle skin and make your hands look more youthful.

Eye cream can be expensive but the eye area is thin and delicate, which makes it prone to dryness, puffiness and dark circles. Warm up coconut oil with your fingertips and pat it gently in with your ring finger.

Frizzy hair can be hard to tame but with a pea size amount of coconut oil (you don’t want any more than that, it can make the hair look greasy) you can tame flyways and make your hair look super shiny and healthy.

Our favourite use of coconut oil has to be to remove make-up. The gentle, yet effective oil really works hard to

break down make-up. It doesn’t sting the eyes and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Katy Gilroy loves Lucy Bee coconut oil as a balm cleanser. “It leaves my skin feeling so soft and it’s gentle and soothing.”

Mix sea salt or sugar in with melted coconut oil and use your hands to rub it over dry patches of skin. It works great as an exfoliator and moisturiser all in one for baby soft skin. This is beauty blogger Lola’s favourite use for coconut oil. “It’s such an easy D.I.Y that makes my skin feel silky soft.

Ran out of shaving foam? Warm up some coconut oil and slather it on your legs for a smooth, close shave. Make sure that you are careful, as coconut oil can be slippery!

Superdrug Coconut Oil

£2.39

Lucy Bee Coconut Oil

£5.49

Vita Coco Coconut Oil

£5.99


beauty hacks

The BudgetBeautyedit...

Splurging on luxurious products is something that we all love to do but you can find some great affordable al-ternatives. We round-up our favourite drugstore beauty

products.

Bourjois Healthy MixEnriched with a fruit complex Bourjois’ Healthy Mix gives you a radiant and flawless complexion. The crystalline pigments even out the skin but give it a youthful, healthy looking glow.

Maxfactor skin luminizerEnriched with a fruit complex Bourjois’ Healthy Mix gives you a radiant and flawless complexion. The crystalline pigments even out the skin but give it a youthful, healthy looking glow.

l’oreal true matchWith a huge range of shades to choose from, neutral to warm and cool L’Oreal True Match blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural, but flawless finish.

rimmel lasting finish nudeEnhanced with comfort serum Rimmel’s 25 Hour Nude Finish gives a flawless finish to the face with the comfort feeling of like you’re wearing nothing at all. It lasts up to 25 Hours so you can look flawless, all day long.

l’oreal infallible 24h-matteFor a flawless face that stays matte all day, try L’Oreal’s Pro Matte. The waterproof formula gives a demi-matte finish and keeps oil at bay all day long.

Flawless BasesFrom hydrating and dewy to full-coverage and matte, there is something for everyone in our round-up of the best budget bases.


5 budget beauty

browsEyebrows are the most important feature of your

face. They define and frame the face and when filled in they help make-up looked uniform and put together. We have rounded up our favourite brow

products that are all under £15.

KITSEyebrow kits are the perfect travel companion. Equipped with a wax to hold the brows down and a powder to fill in sparse areas you have everything you need to work a full brow.

Rimmel Brow This Way Kit

£3.99

Sleek Brow

Kit £8.49Essence

Eyebrow £2.50

Kiko Eyebrow Stylist Kit

£13.90

pencilBrow pencils are great for beginners as you have full control. Go for a pencil that has a hard waxy texture as this will result in a more natural brow. Draw quick short strokes for realistic brows.

Maybelline Brow Satin

£5.99

Eyelure Brow Pencil

£5.10

MaxFactor Brow Pencil

£5.99

gelAfter all the effort you have put in defining and shaping the brows you need to add a gel to set them in place. This will make them waterproof and last all day. If you’re in a rush just sweep brow gel through for an effortless brow.

The Body Shop Brow

& Lashes £10

extrasSpoolies, brow brushes, tweezers, scissors, brow stencils. All the accessories to achieve perfect brows.

Eylure Brow Shapers

£2.69

Bourjois Eyebrow Tweezers

£2.50

Collection Eyebrow

Spoolie £1.99

Real TechniquesEyebrow brush

£2.50

Rimmel Brow This Way £3.99

L’Oreal Brow Artist

Plumper £4.99

All about


budget beauty

All about eyesEyes are the feature that get the most attention on your face. It’s important to make them stand out with a little bit of eye shadow and mascara. That’s why we are showing you are favourites that are at

budget friendly prices.

Every woman needs at least one eye shadow palette. Makeup Revolution’s Iconic 3 takes you from day-to-night with 12 buttery pink-hued shades. The added bonus is that is a complete dupe for Urban Decay’s Naked 3 and over £30 cheaper! Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 £3.99

A black eyeliner is a staple in anyone’s make-up collection. Rimmel’s Scandaleyes Pencils are creamy enough that they don’t drag on the waterline and their waterproof formula makes them party-proof. They come in a range of shades from nude to purple. Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Pencil £2.99

We love a two-in-one product and the new Bourjois Colorband Eye shadow and Liner is just that! The shadow stick can be used as a shadow as well as liner, all in handy chubby pencil form. Bourjois Colorband Eye shadow & Liner £5.99

Prepping your skin for foundation is a crucial step, so why not treat your eyes the same? Maybelline Colour Tattoos can be used as a base to prevent creasing or all over the lid. Canadian beauty blogger Kaitlin Campbell loves the formula: “They are smooth, opaque, and don’t crease, I want more! I have my eye on Creamy Beige from the Leather collection”. Maybelline Colour Tattoo, Endless Purple £4.99

Mascara completes an eye look so always layer it up, the more lash the better. Collection’s Pump Up The Volume gives a voluminous defined lash. Perfect for everyday. Collection Pump Up The Volume Mascara £4.99


budget beauty

Perfect PoutLipstick is our favourite beauty item. It can completely transform a whole make-up look. Whether you like nude pinks or bright purples we’ve got your

perfect pout covered.

Available in a matte and creamy formula Rimmel’s Kate Moss range has a shade for everyone. Ranging from deep purples to nudes and everything in between the high intensity shades capture the edge and timelessness of Kate’s unique look. Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick £5.99

For a long-lasting matte lipsticks Collection’s non-drying formula gives a kiss-proof pout. Avaliable in four shades. Collection Creme Puff £2.99

A long-lasting velvet liquid lipstick with a difference. The gel-like formula adds extra comfort for a excellent day-to-day lipstick. Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet £8.99

A great on-the-go lipstick comes from Pur Minerals. Beauty Director Alessandra Steinherr’s favourite budget lip is Pur Minerals Lip Gloss Stick in Honey Pie £10

Shal Dencan loves MUA lipsticks. “Good quality colour lasts a good couple of hours without lip primer. For £1 you can choose a good amount of shades. Make Up Academy Matte Fawn £1

L’Oreal’s Colour Riche lipstick have a creamy formula and come in a range of shades. L’Oreal Colour Riche £6.99

The cheapest lipstick on the market are Makeup Revolution’s. Beauty lover Rosetta Baker loves the shade Depraved. “It’s a gorgeous colour and stays on well for the price.” Makeup Revolution £1

Colle Parducci’s favourite budget lipstick are the Avon Ultra Colour Mattes. “It stays on forever without drying my lips out.” Avon Ultra Colour Matte Lipstick, Peach £7.50


budget beauty

Box of powdersWhether it’s blusher, bronzer or face powder you’re after we have rounded up the best

powders on the market to give the perfect finish to your make-up.

Sleek are well-known for their incredible palettes. The smooth, pigmented buttery formula glides smoothly onto the skin giving a blended flush of colour. Sleek’s Contour KIt has a contour, highlight and blush all in one, perfect for travel or on-the-go touch-ups. Sleek Contour Kit/Blush Palette £9.99

Add glow to your complexion this winter with B Cosmetics. This blush/highlighter hybrid can be swept along the cheeks for a flushed glow or used individually as eye shadows..B, Glowing Shimmer Block Blush £5.99

A pink-toned cream-to-powder highlighter that looks gorgeous on the tops of the cheekbones for a dewy glow. Essence Cream-To-Powder Highlighter £2.80

A cheaper alternative to MAC’s Studio Fix is Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Powder Foundation. It works great as a powder foundation or as a setting powder. Rimmel Lasting Finish Powder £6.99

A bronzing block that looks and smells like chocolate? Yum! For a sun-kissed glow we love this bronzing powder. Bourjois Bronzing Powder £7.99


budget beauty

Ashley wallaceOn the struggles to become a make-up

artist and how it finally feels to her to call herself an MUA.

Are you an aspirational make-up artist? Make-up artist Ashley Wallace share with #BBLOGGERS her top tips to

achieve exactly what you want.

Did you always want to be a make-up artist?

Honestly? No. But I’m so glad I am now.

How did your interest in make-up begin?

I’ve always been obsessed with skincare, make-up, nails, all things beauty related really. I would always force my poor friends into having makeovers and it was always me that was last to get ready for nights out because my friends

would ask me to do their make-up first. I was always the one with the new ‘must-have’ make-up items and would be the one people asked for tips and advice. But if I’m being totally honest, when I was younger I didn’t realise make-up artistry could be a possible career. There wasn’t much emphasis on it where I went to school. Back then I didn’t even give it a second thought, it wasn’t a ‘proper job’ in my eyes then. How wrong I was, as it is one of the most physically and mentally demanding roles I’ve ever had.

What were you doing before before you became a qualified make-up artist?

I have a background in art and design and have always wanted to become a graphic designer, or an art teacher when I was in school. Life got in the way of that and I ended up working in a just-until-I-figure-things-out office job for


much longer than I had planned. To cut a long story short, I ended up building a pretty decent career in a non-creative industry. Although it paid the bills it wasn’t something I enjoyed. After years of hard work, the company I worked for was acquired by a large multi-national firm, which kick-started a four-year period of redundancies every six months. I’m sure you can imagine that became a bit soul-destroying. I chose the leave in the end after eight years there and found a great job with a small company in the education sector.

I thought I’d finally landed on my feet. But just months after starting, they were also bought out by another multi-national firm, even larger than the first and the awful process of corporate restructuring and redundancies started again.

What happened next?

Ultimately, the second takeover was the catalyst that sent me off on the journey of self-employment I’m on now. It wasn’t a nice experience at the time, but I’m really glad it happened, as it gave me the push I needed to start my own business - something I’d been daydreaming about for four or five years - I don’t think I’d have had the guts to go for it unless I’d been placed at risk of redundancy again.

So, after some business coaching from a great company called Tedco, lots of training and night courses and a ton of hard graft I’m finally self-employed as a freelance make-up artist. It’s the best of both worlds, and I couldn’t be happier. I get to utilise my creative skills in a practical and hands-on way every day, whilst indulging my obsession in all things cosmetics related. Best of all, I’m in control, there’ll be no one making me redundant.

Were you always a lover of make-up?

ALWAYS! I was - and still am - completely obsessed. I remember being given a Girl’s World toy when I was a kid - it’s basically a doll’s head that you could put make-up on and take off and put back on - and I sat for hours and hours playing with it. From then on I have been mad about make-up. I was always a keen artist and would draw and paint all the time, make-up was just another medium to work with. Growing up, it became a way to hide my less-than-flawless, spotty teenage skin and a form of expression and ever since I picked up my first eye shadow brush I’ve been experimenting and practising on anyone that would let me.

Did you go to a make-up school or are you self-taught?

I’ve taught myself most of the technical skills needed for this job through practice and research but I’ve also taken several courses to further my development, too. It’s absolutely essential that you learn the basics about skin structure and sanitisation before you think about working on other people. In my opinion it’s best to learn this in a practical environment from qualified tutors, somewhere like a beauty therapy course is a good place to start. Most importantly: practice, practice, practice! Colour theory is very important. Knowing how to make every hue and shade yourself is a great skill to have.

What is your favourite make-up event to do?

All of them! Seriously. It might sound a bit sad, but there’s nothing nicer than seeing someone happy with the way they look after you’ve applied their make-up and styled their hair. Weddings are obviously lovely to be a part of, because it’s always such a nice atmosphere, exciting and happy and everyone looks like new pins. I also love the fast pace of a photo-shoot environment too, and being able to be a bit more creative in my applications.

What is the best make-up you have done?

Probably some of the Halloween work I’ve done over the years as I love transforming someone’s face into something completely different and creepy. I went out as puppet Billy from the Saw films this year and no one recognised me. I even freaked myself out a bit.

Who are your make-up idols?

I have so many. But my favourites are Pat McGrath, Ve Neill, Kevin James Bennett, James Vincent and Kevyn Aucoin. I’m hoping to take a master class with Kevin James Bennett later this year in London.

What is your favourite brand you have in your kit?

I would probably say RCMA if I had to pick just one. It’s a professional brand that most people won’t have heard of, created by Vincent Kehoe of the Research Council of Makeup Artists. They make the BEST cream foundations that apply beautifully and look like real skin, as well as tons of other kit staples that I couldn’t live without,

like their no-colour powder and mixing medium.

How long have you been a make-up artist?

In my head? My whole life! In reality? Around 18 months as a business-owner.

What tips would you give for aspiring make-up artists?

Research, learn, practice, be professional. Join forums and learn from other working artists (In My Kit is a brilliant example), read books (I would recommend starting with Colour by Betty Edwards, and her other best seller; Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain), test products, learn about skin, take an art class - anything that will teach you practical application techniques and colour theory. Try each of the routes available to you as a make-up artist and see which one you prefer - ask to assist an artist that is well established and works in the field you’re interested in. Then invest in education - and always stay on top of your personal development.

Make sure you have tried, tested and are 100% happy with products before they go into your kit - and don’t carry every single item of make-up you own with you - you’ll learn pretty early on that you’ll reach for the same things time and time again and the rest is just more for your poor back to carry. Invest in multi-tasking products that make your life easier and buy the best brushes and tools that you can afford - they’ll last you a lifetime.

Most importantly though - get in the right mindset: being a make-up artist isn’t anywhere near as glamorous as people would think - it’s a lot of hard work and can be difficult at times. But if you genuinely love it and have enough determination, you’ll get there.

“Best of all, I’m in control,

there’ll be no one making me

redundant.”

ashley wallace

BLOGGER WORDPRESS

With so many different platforms out there it can be difficult to choose which platform to run your blog with. We’ve asked a lot of successful bloggers to help us with a big question: Blogger VS WordPress? Personally we like using blogger because you get more for free, whereas WordPress

is great for professionals and companies. It’s up to you but check out what our experts have to say on the matter. Don’t forget that even if you’ve chosen one over the other you can still switch later on. What platform will you choose?


BLOGGER WORDPRESS

Blogger WordpressJen Price www.jensfood.co.ukI started with Blogger three years ago because it was free and it looked like it would be easier to get started with. I switched to self hosted WP a couple of weeks ago though. I’m still glad I started with blogger as it’s an easy platform to use if you have zero experience in creating websites.Jon Potterwww.jonuxx.com I use Blogger, I always have but won't always will. With Blogger, I do not like that Google owns your content, therefore I'm looking into making the switch to WordPress self-hosted. I use Blogger mainly because it's free, and because it was part of Google I didn't need to create a new account and everything was just in the one place.

Nisha Patelwww.nishkpatel.comI use Blogger because it seemed like the easiest platform to set up, and I know nothing about computers/ html etc. I initially designed my own blog, but it didn't look professional enough for my personal taste so I bought a pre-made template designed by Pipdig. I've made customisations to the colour scheme/ layout, and designed my header but that's about all I've done. I find this leaves me free to concentrate on content and photography.

Mia Stedtenfeldtwww.nativemamma.co.ukI've used blogger for 13 years. I've tried all of the other platforms avaliable but to be able to change html was very important to me and blogger easily allows this. WordPress charge for everything: use of html, better themes, even to change theme colour costs money. They charge you to use your own domain etc. Blogger has always given me what I need for free so there is no reason to switch.

Emma Tustianwww.bubbablueandme.comI started with a craft blog on blogger because that's what I found first, it was the website that a lot of craft bloggers used and at the time, I could access it from my phone. But I made the switch to WordPress...

Emma Tustianwww.bubbablueandme.com I then started a different blog and chose WordPress this time. Because I changed my phone and the WordPress app worked so much better than the Blogger app. I loved it and found it so much easier. Six months or so later I changed to self-hosted because I wanted to be able to monetise and do more with my theme etc.

Mary Procter www.over40andmumtoone.comI liked the look of Wordpress when I was starting out and went with the free version. After six months I wanted more flexibility, as I had started reviewing products. I decided to move to self-hosted Wordpress and I still like it. I wish I knew more about plug ins but it’s a continual learning process.

Anna Marikar www.intheplayroom.co.ukI used WordPress since I had been familiar with the free version of that since I had a previous non-profit blog on there years ago, so that was the natural choice for me, I then I moved to wp.org for my current blog so that I was able to monetise it. I enjoy using WordPress and I don’t think I will try anything different.

Emma Louise Garrattwww.theminimesandme.com I initially registered with Wordpress but swapped to Blogger near instantly (later the same day) as I found it a lot easier to use. It provides everything I require for free and I find it simple to work with.

Kaytee Vivienne Lintonwww.kayteevivienne.blogspot.co.ukI am new to the blogging community and I have started with blogger. I have found it easy to work with and it helps me achieve a professional, mature style.

Daniela Pesconi-Arthur www.daniellapesconi-arthur.com I've been blogging for a while and started on Blogger, which I loved. Less than a year ago, after reading a blog post, I decided to give Wordpress a try but I am still undecided.

Ashley Crombet-Beolens www.viewsfromurbanlake.comI use both. I find Blogger much easier to use, and less involving. But WordPress allows for much more to be done and is way more customisable.

Elaine Croft www.canvaspretty.comWordPress for me. I love the plugins, and how adaptable the whole platform is. You have to pay to have more customisation but it’s a price I’m willing to pay.


Inidia Bengaminwww.touchscreensandbeautyqueens.comI use WordPress, the amount of plugins you can get makes it extremly versatile, as does the amount of free themes and option to edit CSS for customisability.

Natalie Collinsonwww.onebusywahm.comI use self-hosted WordPress for a number of reasons. The most important (to me) is that i won my own domain name and webstite and mantain full control. With free blogging platforms you do not own your own site and you are at mercy of the compnay. I preefer the flexibilty of owning my own site it gives me the freedom to develop and grow as I wish.

Emma Holnesswww.hausfraublog.comI use wordpress.com not self-hosted because it looks more professional to me. It’s really easy to use and I think if I want to go self-hosted later on it will be easier.

blogging handbook

THAT GIRL

Thumbelina LillieMiss

FROM THE NORTH

Introducing...

Beauty blogger Megan Lillie is from a small town in the North East but is one of the most well-known and loved bloggers amongst the

blogosphere. We chatted to her about all things make-up and blogging and she shared with us how it really felt to win a Cosmo Blog Award.

How did Thumbelina Lillie begin?

I started reading blogs in college after discovering one through Instagram and I became totally fascinated with the idea of blogging. I decided to take a year out before going to University as I was a bit unsure of what I wanted to study. I decided it would be the perfect time to start my own to fill up some time whilst I was working.

Was it anything in particular make you want to start blogging?

I love to write and I have done ever since I was younger. As I grew up I became increasingly interested in fashion and beauty. I thought that it was pretty cool that people had their own websites to talk about their interests. So I thought: “Well why not do it too?”

How did your interest in make-up start?

I’ve always loved make-up thinking about it. Using my Grandma’s stash when I was little and applied everything in all the wrong places. I remember buying the wrong shade of Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse when I was in Secondary School. I think the obsession started very young.

What are your must-have make-up items?

A great base is crucial. If your skin is flawless then everything else can just flow together. Something like the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation is a great base. Every woman definitely needs a statement red in her handbag too!

Some ladies find it hard to show their bare face on the internet. How did you find the confidence to do that?

I had the idea for #ProjectBareAll for quite some time. I knew that when I launched it to the blogosphere I needed to back up my arguments and points with proof that I don’t mind going bare faced on the internet and in public I just bit the bullet and did it. Ever since that moment I am so much more confident to go on with my day-to-day business without having to put makeup on. Although I still do because it’s part of my job to put to the test and try out make-up.

How did you come up with the name Thumbelina Lillie? Is there any meaning behind the name?

I had a Tumblr account under the name ‘Thumbelina’s Diary’ so it was kind of like one of my first online persona. When I

created my blog I thought I would keep the ‘Thumbelina’ as I’m actually a teeny tiny five feet tall. I added ‘Lillie’ to make it more personal as it is my last name.

When you’re working on your blog and YouTube channel what does a typical day look like?

I usually get up quite early and get myself ready. If I need to take any make-up photos or film a video then I’ll try and get that done first. I’ll have a quick lunch break and then edit any content that I’ve made that day. If I’m far ahead of my schedule I’ll tend to draft up some posts to come back to later. I always keep on top of my social media channels too, making sure that my followers know that there’s new content available.

How do you balance your time between blogging, family life and education?

Well apart from blogging, I’m a full-time University student and have a part-time job, never mind needing to maintain a social life. I have two days off a week so I like to do everything in bulk on those days. I photograph products and then I will write on a night or if I have any spare time during the day. I also utilise any holiday time that I may have.

Do you have any idols that you look up to in the blogging/vlogging industry?

I really look up to Gracie from Ugly Face of Beauty. She’s had an incredible journey and she is such a relatable person. She’s not a dictated robot, she is completely her own person and I really admire that. I love Vivianna Does Make-up’s blog as she has such a witty way of writing that is so informative.

What are your best tips to take the best photographs?

Know your camera. Taking the time out to learn what every single function on your camera does is definitely worth doing. Learning to shoot in a manual setting is important as it can completely change and enhance your images.

As you live in the North East you’re quite far away from London, does this affect the opportunities you get?Unfortunately it does. I get invited to events weekly that I can’t afford to travel down to. I do like to make an exception every few months if the opportunity is very exciting, such as Lauren Pope’s Fashion Launch and the Premiere with

New Look.

When did you start YouTube? How come you branched out onto another platform?

I think it was about 18 months after I had started blogging. It is SO different talking to a camera than it is writing behind a computer screen. I was really nervous to upload but it was something that I had wanted to do for a long time to give myself another platform to be creative on. I had a four-month break as I wasn’t producing the content that I wanted to, but as of April I am back on the YouTube game.


Thumbelina lillie

Did you ever think your blog would surpass 5,000 followers?

Not in a million years! I never imagined five people reading my blog, let alone 5,000. It’s insane!

What have been the highlights of your life that have come from blogging?

I think winning the Cosmo Blog Award for Highly Commended Established Beauty Blogger was just absolutely insane. I totally couldn’t (and still can’t) comprehend it. It really did make me smile with happiness. Another highlight is being invited by New Look to be dressed and walk the red carpet at the World Premiere of the Insurgent film was pretty cool. I never imagined a girl from Middlesbrough walking the red carpet!

How did it feel to win a Cosmo Blog Award?

Like a total dream come true if I’m honest. I was short-listed the year before in the ‘Best New Beauty’ category and I was gutted that I did not win. It really made me want to improve myself and my blog and come back the following year and that’s exactly what I did. My award was the first to be announced and all I remember is that I completely filled up and I was overwhelmed with emotion.

How did walking the red carpet feel? Were you really nervous?

I have been trying really hard to not let nerves get to me and I knew that it was an experience that may not happen again. I just decided to ‘own it’ and enjoy every single minute.

What do you love most about the blogosphere?

I am a huge lover of the community in general, there’s such a great sense of support and it can be really overwhelming at times. There is always someone there at all times if you need anything, from help with HTML coding, or if you’re in need of a quick thought on a product. Everyone is so lovely (most of the time) and I have made some great friends.

Is the blogosphere different now to when you started blogging?

Definitely. It has probably tripled (or even more) in size. There are so many more people blogging right now it is insane. I think bloggers are taken a lot more serious now too, they can be really useful to brands and can appear as professional as many others in the media.

Do you prefer Blogger or Wordpress?

Blogger! I wouldn’t have a clue with Wordpress.

How many times a week do you think it is best to upload a new post?

I think it varies from blogger to blogger. I used to upload posts every three days and I wanted to up my game and now blog every two days. But everyone is different - it’s finding a balance with what works with your life.

How do you make money from your blog? Is it something that takes time?

I get a very small amount monthly from other bloggers advertising on my blog and from affiliate links. However it’s very small and nothing that I could go full-time over at the minute.

What’s the best way to get followers and subscribers?

There is no ‘best way’. Its total trial and error what works best for you. I just find that being yourself, creating different content and being consistent and friendly is key. Social media is always a great help too.

How important is social media to promote your posts?

So important! Social Media is my main sources of traffic for my blog so it’s crucial for you to let followers on all platforms now when your new posts are live!

Do you like taking part in Twitter chats?

When I have the time, yes! They’re a great way of discovering new blogs, getting yourself known within the community and making new friends. At the beginning of my time blogging, I grew my following quite a lot from participating in the #bbloggers hashtag chats!

What is your favourite social media account?

Instagram and Twitter. I can’t pick just one.

Megan at the Cosmo Blog Awards


Thumbelina lillie

“Being invited by New Look to be

dressed and walk the red carpet at

the World Premiere of the Insurgent film

was pretty cool. I never imagined

a girl from Middlesbrough walking the red

carpet!”

I love the creamy formula and easy application, I’m going to pick up some of the glossy versions. Revlon Matte Balm Sultry £7.99

What are your favourite videos to film?

At the moment, I’m loving filming make-up videos. I’m certainly not the best out there at applying make-up, but I am always learning and they’re really fun to edit. It’s amazing to see the transition that makeup can create.

Do you get any negative comments on YouTube? If so, how do you deal with them?

Thankfully I haven’t had any. If I do ever get any however, I will simply block the account from viewing my channel and my videos as I do not wish to see that kind of negativity on my space online! What do you like to do in your spare time besides blogging/filming videos?

I love to spend time with my family, friends and boyfriend and taking my two dogs for walks. I also love to watch series on Netflix (who doesn’t?) and generally chill out. To be honest, blogging IS my spare time. I consider it more as a hobby that anything else.

Do you prefer drugstore or high-end items most?

I am a definite lover of drugstore products as the majority are so affordable and can be considered as dupes for many high-end products. Yet I do like to treat myself often with some nice high-end offerings. My collection is a total mix of both! What is the best dupe you have found for a high-end product (if you have)?

Maybelline’s Lash Sensational is a great dupe for Benefit’s Rollerlash Mascara!

Do you have any blogging goals?

I would love to eventually blog full-time as my main source of income. That’s the complete and utter dream. I would hopefully like to move down south so that I could grasp the experience fully as well.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start up a blog?

I would say to stick to who you are. Be honest and consistent and have fun with it!

www.thumbellinalille.co.uk

I remember choosing to wear these for work as they last all day whilst needing very minimal touching up. Rimmel Apocalips, Celestial £6.99

This particular base is a combination of makeup qualities and skincare aspects, providing a flawless, skin-perfecting coverage whilst hydrating and evening out skin tone. Dior Skin Nude BB Creme £32

It creates insane volume whilst lifting the lashes. It’s a perfect mascara! Bourjois 1 Seconde Volume Mascara £10

It is a stunning peachy pink and the finish is gorgeous. It dries matte yet still has a metallic sheen when it hits the right light.Topshop Matte Nails, Sixteen Candles £6

I love this powder sculpting and highlighting kit, it finishes off and brings power and dimension to any look. . Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow £49

Megan’s Beauty Must-Haves


Thumbelina lillie

The Make-Up Revolution

Makeup Revolution has hit the beauty market by storm and it was just last year that they launched. With over 500 products they have become a firm favourite amongst beauty bloggers. With dupes of high-end products at affordable prices there is no

doubt why the brand is so well loved. Here are our top picks!

BlushBlusher is one beauty product that we can’t live without. Makeup Revolution’s Blushers are pigmented and blend out like a dream. Makeup Revolution Blush £1

radiance palette

The Radiance Palette is a complete dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder at £56 we are not complaining. The £7 dupe has three shades to transform your skin into a glowing goddess. Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette £7

Highlighting palette

Iconic pro 1


Model: Leah GoodwinMUA: Daniella KeatingPhoto: Daniella Keating

radiance palette

Highlighting palette

Highlighter is one of our most-used products. We love the handy convenience of three in one palette! There’s a gold, peach and a pink so one for every skin tone. As it comes in palette form it’s very hand for travel and on-the-go. Makeup Revolution Highlighting Powder Palette £8

Brow tint

Brows are very important to us and we love using the Brow Tint. It’s almost like gel liner for your brows. The budge-proof formula will make your brows look fabulous all day long without smudging through the heat. Makeup Revolution Ultra Aqua Brow Tint £3

Iconic pro 1The Iconic Pro formula is Makeup Revolution’s best eye shadow formula. Every eye shadow is intensely pigmented and buttery to the touch. LORAC’s Iconic Pro’s are so hard to get hold of in the UK so we love this price friendly dupe. Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 1 £7.99

Iconic 3

Yet another dupe! This time it’s a copy of Urban Decay’s Naked 3, a firm favourite with beauty lovers. Twelve pink-hued shades are cased in sturdy black pack-aging that looks super sleek in make-up collections. Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 £3.99

Lip lavaA melted lipstick that has the pigment of a lipstick and the shine of a lip gloss, we introduce the best-selling Lip Lava’s. They come in five beautiful shades ranging from bright purples to nude pinks. Our favourite is the bright purple! Makeup Revolution Lip Lavas £2.99

blushing hearts

What would Makeup Revolution be without dupes? We adore the Blushing Hearts triple baked blusher, it’s a great dupe for Too Faced Sweetheart Blushes but for a fraction of the price! Makeup Revolution I Heart Makeup Blushing Hearts £5


revolution

The winterBeautyedit...

Autumn/winter is here, it’s time to bring out the berry lip and smoky eyes. We show you our favourite looks for

the upcoming season.

deep berry lips

Berry lips will always be on trend for autumn/winter. There’s something about pale skin and a bold bright berry lipstick. To make the most out of your power pout line your lips first, this can be with a clear lip liner or one the same shade as your lipstick. Lip liner will prevent lipstick from feathering and bleeding off the edge of the lips. Then apply MAC Cyber straight from the bullet. Or for a more precise application use a lip brush. For a little bit extra to the look add a clear lip gloss or a bit of sparkly shadow to add light to the centre of the lips. This will give your lips a fuller appearance.

Lipstick in Cyber MAC £15.50

letit

shineGlitter is hard to pull off but with Christmas around the corner it’s acceptable to add sparkle to a look. Bold eyes are a statement in winter as you don’t have to worry about make-up slipping and sliding in the heat. Make sure a base is applied to the lid before adding shadow, Urban Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer Potion £16 will do the trick. Add a warm brown transition shade to the crease of the eye, this will help other shades blend out better. Pop MAC’s Copper Sparkle Pigment all over the lid and into the crease. Finish by adding black into the outer v and smoking out the lower lash-line. This will add depth to the look. Add a light sparkly champagne in the inner corners for extra sparkle.

Pigment in Copper Sparkle MAC £16

Iconic Eye Pencil in Marlene Midnight Charlotte Tilbury £19

Full Bloom Powder Blush in Perfect Pink Too Faced £16


a/w make-up


MUA:Becky ReevesPhoto: Amy Barton

SUN-KISSED BRONZE

Although the sunshine has disappeared and the colder months are drawing in there is no harm in faking a sun-kissed glow. Dewy skin looks great in winter as it makes the skin appear youthful and fresh. To start off the base work with a medium coverage foundation, this will make the skin look flawless. Cream products look far more natural than powder so contour the cheekbones and bronze up the skin with the NARS Matte Multiple in Altai. Hit the top of the cheekbones with L’Oreal Lumi Magique this will add gorgeous glow. Start the eyes off with Charlotte Tilbury Bette, sweep it all over the lid and blend it into the crease. Finish the eyes off with a dark brown in the crease and on the lower lash-line and add plenty of mascara. Brows are a big trend in winter, use Anastasia’s Dip Brow Pomade to get big defined brows. Finish the look off with a nude lipstick, like MAC’s Myth.

Eyes To Mesmerise in Bette Charlotte Tilbury £22

Lumi Magique Liquid Highlighter L’Oreal £10

Dip Brow Pomade Anastasia Beverly Hills £15

Matte Multiple in Altai NARS £29


a/w make-up

Eyes: LORAC Pro 2: Mocha on the lid and lower lash-line, Cocoa in the crease and outer V. Rimmel Scandeleyes Khol in Waterline. Maybelline Lash Sensational MascaraLips: MAC Lipstick Brave


a/w make-up

Model: Natalie WelshMUA: Daniella KeatingPhoto: Daniella Keating

Eyes: LORAC Pro 2: Beige on the lid. Light brown in the crease. Bourjois Clubbing Liner for the wing. Maybelline Lash Sensational MascaraLips: MAC Lipstick Russian Red


a/w make-up


Eyes: LORAC Pro 2: Beige on the lid. Light brown in the crease. Bourjois Clubbing Liner for the wing. Maybelline Lash Sensational MascaraLips: MAC Lipstick Diva


a/w make-up


Eyes: LORAC Pro 2: Rose on the lid. Mocha in the crease and outer V. Maybelline Lash Sensational MascaraLips: MAC Lipstick Please Me


a/w make-up


Winter nails

Rimmel Red Carpet £3.69

Butter London Dahling £14

Essie Midnight Cami £8

Dior Mirage £18


When the colder months draw in and the air takes a cold turn the skin can really suffer. Switching up your skincare routine depending on the season can really make a difference. That’s why we have developed an easy four-step system for your new skincare winter routine.

your new 4-step winter skincare routine


skincare


STEP 1 CLEANSE

Cleansing is the most important part of a routine. You don’t want to apply moisturiser to unclean skin that is full of make-up. Liz Earle Customer Advisor Sally suggests: “It is important to cleanse the skin thoroughly to remove excess sebum, dead skin cells and daily grime that can lead to the skin looking dull or congested.” Firstly use a micellar water to remove make-up or if you’re wearing heavier make-up go in with a balm cleanser like The Body Shop’s Cleansing Butter, this will remove all traces of make-up. Next, cleanse your skin with a cleanser targeted at your skin’s needs. If you have spot-prone skin use a purifying cleanser like Good Things Stay Clear Cleanser. If your skin is dry try Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish. Beauty blogger Elizabeth Ann loves Cleanse and Polish: “I’ve used it for five years. It got rid of my acne and made my skin perfect”.

STEP 2TONE

The next step is to rebalance the skin. When washing your face the PH levels in the skin can become unbalanced, toner is great at getting the balance back. There are a great amount of toners on the market aimed at different skin types. There are chemical exfoliating toners that are great for removing dead skin, Pixi’s Glow Tonic is an amazing example. There are toners to hydrate and soften like Lancome’s Tonique Douceur, this will leave the skin feeling silky soft. Toners also penetrate the skin and get the skin ready for the next step, serum.

STEP 3Serum

Serum’s are an essential for every skin type and every woman, of any age. Serums are commonly used to add an extra layer of moisture into the skin. For a hydrating serum use The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In Oil, it will add a lot of moisture into the skin. Perfect for the cold months ahead! If you suffer with acne you might want to try something like Face B4’s Antibacterial serum, it treats spots without over-drying. Serums are used under moisturiser to give skin a boost. Skincare expert Caroline Hirons suggests that you should always spend the most amount of money on your serum. “I’m always asked where should I spend the most money in my routine? The answer is always serums!”

STEP 4Moisturise

Your skin type will define the type of moisturiser you use. If you have dry skin opt for something a little rich and creamy in texture like Clinique Intense Moisture Surge. It will plump and hydrate the skin, making it look youthful. If you oily skin opt for something oil-free like Simple’s Oil Balancing Moisturiser. Don’t think that if your skin is oily it doesn’t need moisturiser - it does - you don’t want to strip the skin as that will leave it tight and uncomfortable. If you have normal skin you can opt for any moisturiser, make sure that it hydrates and doesn’t dry out the skin. Garnier have a great range of moisture match moisturisers for every skin concern from dull skin to very dry skin.

extras

Eye cream is an optional product for most but if your under eye area needs TLC opt for a hydrating cooling aloe vera gel like The Body Shop Aloe Vera Soothing Under Eye Gel. The cooling gel will hydrate and de-puff the under eye leaving it smooth and ready for make-up. Facial brushes are another optional step, the Magnitone Lucid gently exfoliates the skin with 10,000 pulses per minute. The exfoliating brush works to get deep into the skin to achieve brighter complexion. Exfoliation is great in the winter months as it helps sooth and get rid of any dry, flaky patches.

Body Shop Cleansing Butter £12

Liz Earle Cleanse and

Polish £14Lush Ultrabland Cleanser £14.60

Garnier Micellar Water £4

Pixi Glow Tonic £18

Lancome Tonique

Douceur £23

Lush Tea Tree

Water £4

Face B4 Serum £14

Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial £46 The Body

Shop Vitamin E Serum-In-

Oil £13

Simple Oil Balancing

Moisturiser £4

Garnier Moisture Match £3

Clinique Moisture

Surge Intense £34

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel £8.50

Magnitone Lucid£70


skincare


your blogging secrets

revealed

PassionHannah Adams

www.granitecitygirlblog.co.uk

Blogging can be tricky for beginners, we asked some of our favourite veteran bloggers for some tips that they have learned along the way.

“Write about what interests you. Passion is attractive in individuals and in writing. Share your passion and it will definitely show.”

“Be humble and respectful. Network and learn from more successful bloggers, but don't be obnoxious.

Learn from more sucessful bloggers. Pictured: Lily Pebbles

networkMariana Leung

www.msfabulous.com

Casey Leighwww.letmetrythisforyou.com


blogging handbook

“Be yourself. Honesty is always the best policy. Don’t forget to interact with your readers by replying to comments. Also interact with other bloggers on social media.”

Social mediaKaty Gilroy

www.thelilacscrapbook.com

“Enjoy what you do, don't compare yourself to others. Write when you want and what you want It’s your blog, so never feel pressured.

never feel pressured

Nicola Louisewww,beauty-as-i-knowit.com

Don’t compare yourself to others, your blog is unique and special. Pictured: Fleur De Force

“Write because you enjoy it. Blogging isn't worth it if you don't enjoy it.”

enjoy itCarina Chung

www.runningwhitehorses.blogspot.co.uk

“Be yourself and have fun. Don’t let people bring you down in any way.”

be yourself

Casey Leighwww.letmetrythisforyou.com

“Just be yourself and enjoy it.”

Holly Annewww.hollyannblogs.com


blogging handbook

seo: what you need to knowWhat is SEO and what should bloggers know?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of making your site one thing….RELEVANT. The manner in which one makes his/her site relevant is where the challenge begins.

How do you optimize content for Google?Becoming relevant in the eyes of Google and other major search engines is an on-going process and one that requires both optimization of your site (On-Site Optimization) as well as promotion and link building outside of your site (Off-Site Optimization). As search engines evolve and enhance the manner in which they rank sites, it all goes back to one common phrase….CONTENT IS KING. Quality content is one of your best weapons you can utilize when it comes to SEO.

How important is it to be on the first page of Google search?Page one position is extremely important as only 10% of users will bother to check rankings past the first page. However, being on the first page is not the only factor of importance. The key is to also rank for key phrases that are being search for by your target audience and queried in high search volumes when possible. Ranking on page one for a key phrase that people are not looking for will not do much for your business.

What are the difference between no follow and do follow links? When should you use which?Nofollow is an attribute within hyper-links which instructs the search engines to not allow this link to influence the target site’s rankings in the search engine index. The absence of the nofollow command is essentially a “dofollow” link. This command if used in such purposes as instructing the search engines to ignore unimportant pages, duplicate links, paid links and ads, and links within comments. However, it is important to note that Google and other search engines make zero guarantees that they will honour the nofollow command.

What is DA and PA? How can you get those rankings up?DA (Domain Authority) and PA (Page Authority) play a very important role in your rankings. Domain Authority measures the predictive ranking strength of an entire domains where-as Page Authority measures the strength of individual pages. The best manner in which to improve both is by following good SEO practices and creating useful and original content for your users. In doing so your DA and PA will improve on their own.

Ron Perry is the founder of www.egnite.biz, he specialises in SEO and social media.


blogging handbook


How to use social media to drive traffic to your blog

Social media is very important for bloggers, whether

you are a beauty blogger, a lifestyle blogger or a food blogger. Social media is great for promoting new content to your followers. With the vast amount of social networking sites and tools it can be hard to find out where the best place is to start.

Social Marketing Executive Mark Thomas suggests that social media is the most important element that bloggers should invest in. “I think it’s obvious that you can use social media to advertise your recent blog posts but that’s not what using those platforms is all about. It’s about being social. More people are more likely to visit your blog once you’ve invested time in social media. Chat to other bloggers and be social. It’s the only way to make an emotional connection with

your readers and that’s a major thing.”

Twitter and Instagram are the biggest social networking sites for bloggers. Twitter allows you to publish short tweets that will promote your latest posts and Instagram allows an imagery side to your social media presence. Although Twitter and Instagram are great for getting traffic to your blog you still need to add a bit of personality when publishing content. Mark Thomas suggests: “I think if you are active on any channel, and by active I mean writing personal posts – not just chatting ‘visit my blog’ then people feel more emotionally connected to you.” A great way for beauty bloggers to feel more connected to their audience is to post product shots on Instagram and Twitter. Instagram is the best place for images as it’s an image-based site. Posting a quick shot

of your ‘make-up of the day’ will allow readers to be more engaged and it adds a more personal element. Even something like your thoughts on the television program you are watching, it’s all about adapting yourself to the platform you are on.

Twitter chats are a great way of getting involved with other bloggers and having a general natter. The #bbloggers chats are Sunday and Wednesday. 20:00-21:00 GMT. The #bbloggers chat is a great one for beauty bloggers as it’s filled with beauty bloggers having a chat about all things beauty related. Mark suggests that Twitter chats are a great way to find new people to follow and be found yourself. “If you’re a fledging blogger you will get massive exposure. But regardless of the size of your blog it’s always great to find new people to chat or new blogs to read.” Even if you don’t have time to chat you can

still schedule tweets to go live during the chats, that’s a great way of promoting new posts and increasing traffic.

Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags on Tweets and Instagram. Those two sites are where hashtags work the best. “Think of hashtags of conversations that you can join in with. It’s a way to find people who are talking about a certain topic, as well as being found yourself” says Mark.

Make use of the free tools that are available to you. Scheduling Tweets is a great way of organising your social media. The best sites to schedule tweets are” Tweetdeck, Buffer and Klout. “They’re all really useful and rather than choosing one over the other I find them best to use in conjunction” says Mark.

@bbloggersmagazine#BBLOGGERSmag


blogging handbook

Choosing the right foundation can be tricky. Department store lighting is awful and you always end up buying the wrong shade. We have devised a three-step guide on how to find your perfect match. Our editor spills the

beans on what her favourite foundation is too...

65

It’s a match!

www.bloggers.co.uk

step 1:identify

normalIf you have normal skin, your skin has an even tone, smooth texture and pores are barely detectable. If you have a normal skin type you can wear any foundation from liquid to cream-to-powder. Try Max Factor’s Face Finity, it has primer and concealer infused with the foundation. It’s convenient, long wearing and has a medium coverage that’s easily buildable.

First of all you need to identify your skin type. If you don’t choose the right foundation your skin can end up looking cakey, shiny or dry. There are four different skin types: normal, oily, dry and combination.

oily

dryIf you have dry skin your skin is lacking oil production and moisture, this leads to dull, flaky skin. If you have dry skin it’s best to choose a foundation that is full of moisture. Max Factor’s Whipped Crème is great for dry complexions as it glides over dry patches and leaves a smooth texture to the skin.

comboIf you have combination skin you have a mixture of both dry and oil-prone areas, mainly around the T-Zone area. With combination skin it’s best to use an oil free foundation but one that isn’t too drying on the skin. Try Revlon’s Colourstay Foundation. It comes in a range of shades and it has a medium to full coverage finish.

step 2:undertone

warmIf you have warm undertones your skin will be more on the olive side. A great way to tell is look at your veins, if they are purple then you’re undertones are warm. Gold jewellery usually looks nice on warm skin tones too.

cool

neutral

Cool undertones have more of a pink tone. If you’re naturally pale you will most likely have a pink undertone. Pink toned skin usually looks better with silver jewellery. If your veins are blue you have a pink undertone.

Neutral toned skin has a mix of both yellow and pink undertones, which is usually a balance of the two. Neutral toned women can wear both silver and gold.

To get a perfect match in foundation you need to identify your undertone. Your skins undertone is how it appears, yellow, pink or neutral.


If you have oily skin your skin produces an excess amount of oil throughout the day, which makes the face appear greasy. For oily skin it is best to use an oil-free foundation so you can avoid looking shiny throughout the day. Try No7’s Beautifully Matte Foundation, it minimises the appearance of blemishes, lasts all day and keeps oil at bay.

MaxFactor Face Finity

All Day Flawless

£12.99

No7 Beautifully

Matte £13.50

Max Factor Whipped

Creme £9.99

Revlon Colourstay

24 Hour £12.50

Jennifer Lopez has a warm golden

undertone

Emma Stone has a cool

paleundertone

Demi Lovatohas a

neutralundetone

foundation match

step 3:finish

dewyIf your skin is dry dewy foundations are the best for dry skin types. Dewy formulas are much creamier and they glide over dry patches without clinging. Dewy skin looks really fresh and youthful, if your skin is dull try a dewy foundation.

matte

natural

Matte foundations are usually associated with being flat, but you can always add dimension in after with highlighting and contouring. Matte foundations last longer and are more high coverage. If your skin is oily opt for a matte foundation, it will help control the oil that your skin produces.

A natural finish will look more like skin. It won’t be matte nor overly dewy, it’s a formula that sits in the middle. Natural foundation’s are great for everyday as it looks like you aren’t wearing any make-up.

editor loves

matte

natural

dewy

make-up artist kate flowers

top tips

1 Always match your foundation shade to your and not your face. This is a big one as you want your whole body to be the same shade. You don’t want a super pale face and completely different coloured neck/chest.

2 Make sure you get the right undertone for your skin. To figure out your undertone look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue, you have a cool undertone. If they appear green, you have a warm undertone. If you can’t really tell then you most likely have a neutral undertone.

3 When trying to find your perfect shade swipe the foundation on your jaw, then go and have a look at the shade in natural light. Often fluorescent lighting can change the appearance of the shade.

4 If possible try and get a small sample of the foundation you’d like to try. This will give you a chance to test out the formula and how it works with your skin type. Make sure you wear it for at least a few hours so you can determine whether it oxidises (goes a shade or 2 darker) or not.


The next step is to choose a finish. This all depends on personal preference and your skin type. To get the most out of your foundation prep your skin accordingly.

Matte foundations are my favourite, I don’t have oily skin but I prefer a full coverage in my foundation. Estee Lauder Double Wear is my favourite foundation. It stays put all day long and gives me the coverage that I need.

I’m not a big wearer of dewy foundations, as I need a foundation that will last all day. I do love Rimmel’s Match Perfection, Rimmel’s shades are perfect for pale slkin and this formula has a medium buildable dewy coverage.

Natural foundations are great for day-to-day use. I love Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Nude. It has a medium coverage and it feels weightless on the skin.

Maybelline Fit Me£7.99

Chanel Perfection

Lumiere Velvet £33

Giorgio Armani

Luminous Silk

£36.50

Estee Lauder Double Wear

£29.50

Rimmel Match

Perfection£7.99

Rimmel Lasting

Finish Nude£7.99

foundation match

Cult BeautyProducts can gain a cult status amongst the blogosphere when so many beauty bloggers sing their praises. Here are our top picks of the cult beauty products

among the market.

NARS SHEER GLOW

Australian beauty blogger Melis-sa Loadsman loves that sheer glow gives her a natural radiant glow. “NARS Sheer Glow foun-dation has become such a cult product amongst beauty blog-gers since its release. It applies smoothly and lasts all day!” With an extensive shade range named after cities around the globe NARS Sheer Glow has the hearts of bloggers. With a medium to buildable coverage it makes the face look flawless with one layer.Nars Sheer Glow £31

REVLON COLOURSTAY

COLLECTIONLASTING

PERFECTION

Branded as a dupe by many beauty bloggers Revlon Colourstay is the affordable version of MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid foundation. It offers a medium to full coverage matte finish that claims to last 24 hours. We can’t say that we have worn it that long but it definitely does stay put all day long. Revlon Colourstay Foundation £12.50

Beauty blogger Kassi Alcock loves the packaging of MAC lipsticks and thinks that they’re not a bad price for “high-end” make-up. Possibly the biggest cult product on the market are MAC Cosmetics Lipsticks. With a huge shade range and a number of finishes it is no surprise why their lipsticks are so well-loved. Blogger Sinead Saintelle thinks that MAC lipsticks have achieved their cult status because of their shade range: “I personally think it’s there shade range, it’s quite unparalleled by other brands. MAC Cosmetics Lipsticks £15.50

mac lipsticks

One of the cheapest concealers on the market is a firm favourite with beauty lovers. Priced at a bargain £4.19, Collection Lasting Perfection provides 16-hour wear and a full-coverage finish. Perfect for those days where you haven’t had enough sleep! Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19


make-up

REVLON COLOURSTAY

Yourbeauty favourites

You’ve shared with us your favourite beauty products. Can you spy any of your favourites here?

Ashley Simmons@JerseyGirl1216 “I am a simple girl, so eyeliner gives me the pop of colour I need for my eyes!” NYC Liquid Liner £2.99

Hanna@beautybox_uk“It’s a multi-tasking cream that I love using on my lips. It’s one product I couldn’t live without!” Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream £25

Amanda Harris@amandaharrisss“It lasts on my face all day long and it gives me the perfect amount of coverage. The formula is so hydrating and smooth.” Smashbox 15 Hour Hydrating Foundation £28

Paige Wallbank@PaigewallbankThey are so pigmented and they last for hours. So affordable too!” Maybelline Colour Drama Velvet Lip Pencil £4.99

Lola@whokilledlola“It makes my hair so silky and soft. It has improved the condition of my hair a lot too!” Moroccan Oil £31

JayMichelle@thatgirlcalledjayIt is smudge proof, waterproof and generally life proof. £15 has gone a long way!” Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade £15

Caitlin Koy@doveblog“It’s the best brow product I have used. It makes my brows look so realistic.” Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz £15.50

Aisling@Rosy_Smiles“It completely mattifies my whole complexion and it makes my foundation last all day!” llamasqua Matte Veil Primer £31

Bobby Ann@PromisingYellowI’ve been using this mascara for 10 years. I love the way it makes my lashes look. MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Mascara £10

Eve@eve_says_so“It’s amazing. It has two parts, peach to counteract blue dark circles and yellow to combat redness.” Soap & Glory Kickass Concealer £10

Rachel@RachelBell1“For voluminous thick lashes this mascara is my go-to.” Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara £19

Ayra@ariannacruz07“It’s the only foundation that keeps me matte all day.” Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation £32


beauty faves

have a look...Inside my make-up bag

Maybelline Dream Wonder Foundation: “This has a light/medium finish that looks so natural, perfect for everyday.”Whitening Lightening Brow Bar To Go: “Two powders, a wax and even a little brush. It’s everything you need for on point brows!”L’Oreal Butterfly Lash Mascara: “The perfect mascara for length, volume and clump-free lashes.”Too Faced Hangover RX Primer: “The skin replenishing ingredients make it a perfect base underneath make-up.”Australis Fresh and Flawless

Powder: “Hands down the best mattifying powder I've ever used.”Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray: “It’s a miracle spray in a bottle that lengthens the wear of my base products and makes my make-up look flawless.”Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: “My favourite concealer for both under-eye and spot concealing.”MAC lipstick in Creme Cup: “My most worn and loved lipstick, it’s the perfect everyday pink.”Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette: “Blush, bronzer, highlight and eye shadow all in one. I find it so handy for travel and touch ups.”Hurraw Lip Balm (Orange): “The best moisturising and nourishing lip balm I own and it's all natural and vegan too.”

Lipstick AddictKirsten Dubois

www.lipstickaddict.com

Rimmel Perfect Primer: “I find this similar to the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and it’s a lot cheaper.”L’Oreal True Match: “The formula is blendable and it builds well to create a more full-coverage look.”Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer: “It is so easy to blend and the sponge applicator makes it easy to apply.”Benefit High Beam: “By adding a few dots on the top of my cheekbones it gives a me a gorgeous glow.”Natural Collection Blusher, Love Cloud: “I have used this blusher for years. It has a nice pigment and it is so affordable too.”Smashbox Trio Eye Shadow: “Easy to take around with me and the colours compliment each other really well.”Sleek Makeup Contour Kit: “The handy kit sets my liquid blush and contour into place.”L’Oreal Brow Artist: “A quick swipe onto my brows and they’re done.”Mac Velvet Teddy: “Perfect nude lip that lasts well throughout the day.”Maybelline Master Drama Khol: “Very black and stays on my waterline all day.”

noel beautyTaylor

www.noelbeauty411.com


make-up

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: “Blends my concealer and foundation in flawlessly without leaving brush marks behind.”Real Techniques Blush Brush: ”Applies blush perfectly to the apples of my cheeks, picks up just enough to allow a natural flush.”Real Techniques Powder Brush: “My favourite brush simply for its size. It really gets powder onto every oily part of my face.”No7 Match Made Concealer: “It hides redness and my dark circles without being cakey and dry.”

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer: “Brightens my skin, erases dark circles and it’s great for blemishes because of its thick consistency.”Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse: “Not too heavy and perfect for a first foundation. The matte finish reduces my oily skin greatly.”Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent: The silky powder helps keep my make-up in place all day.”Soap & Glory Wonderbronze: “Gives my face a bronzed lift.”Max Factor Creme Puff Blush, Seductive Pink: “Perfect shade to bring out a natural flush, with a slight shimmer that adds a glow to the cheeks.”Maybelline Falsies Mascara: “The perfect mascara when I want my lashes to look extra curled and voluminous.”

KassiellaKassi Allcock

www.kassiella.blogspot.co.ukToo Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer: “It keeps my skin from getting dehydrated and eating my makeup throughout the day.”Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: “I’ve been loving a lightweight, dewy base.”Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer: “I use this under my eyes to brighten.”Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: “It covers spots and other blemishes on my face really well. Definitely a holy grail.”Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade: “It’s my favourite brow product ever, I always fill my brows in.”Maybelline Colour Tattoo, Creamy Beige: “If I’m in a rush I go for a cream shadow, it applies fuss-free and doesn’t crease. Tarte Tartelette Matte Palette: “I’ve just recently got this palette and I love it, it has a great combination of colours and the shades are all buttery.”Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner, Navy: “I’m obsessed with navy eyeliner right now.”Josie Maran Watercolor Cheek Gelee, Pink Escape: “I like cream products that can be quickly applied with fingers.”.

kelsey beautyKelsi Dadmun

www.kelseybeauty.blogspot.co.uk

Illamasqua Skin Base Lifts: “It has a peach toned pigment to it, which really helps to cancel out my dark circles.”MAC Studio Fix Powder: “Fantastic product, I use it to set my foundation. Sometimes I use it as a foundation as it has a high coverage. Benefit Roller Lash: “The little hooks on the brush really help to curl my ridiculously straight lashes.” Baby Lips Dr Rescue Balms: “They are really hydrating in the colder weather” Lime Crime Carousel Gloss in Present: “It’s highly pigmented and non sticky, so it lasts for ages. Plus it has a beautiful sparkle!"

Mallow beautyEloise Hough

www.mallowbeauty.co.uk


Not to prime, is a crime

Are visible pores your concern? Maybe your make-up slips and slides throughout the day? Or your skin lacks luminosity? There are many different primers on the market

to target different skin-types that is why we are here to give you a primer 101.

Nivea hydration express

As the colder months draw in the skin can really dry out. Nivea’s hydration express combats this and gives the skin a big boost in hydration. The quick-drying formula sinks into the skin and creates an excellent, hydrated base for foundation. Nivea Hydration Express Primer £5

rimmel lastingfifiinish

Oily skin can start to break down foundation after a few hours and keeping make-up from slipping and sliding can be a struggle. Rimmel’s Lasting Finish is a multi-action primer: it fills in pores, smooths the sur-face of the skin and helps make-up last a lot longer. Rimmel Lasting Finish Prim-er £6.99

benefiit porefessional

Silicone primers are the most popular primer as the silicone helps smooth out the skin, fill in any unwanted lines and pores. Benefit’s POREfessional is Britain’s no1 selling primer and we aren’t surprised! Australian beauty blogger Samantha Newnham brands POREfessional as her Holy Grail Primer: “It helps smooth my skin and fill those pesky pores to give me the perfect base for my foundation.” Benefit POREfessional £24.50

LOreal lumi magique

As we get older our skin can lack luminosity and make the skin look dull. L’Oreal’s Lumi Magique illuminates the skin, for a gorgeous lit-from-within glow. The primer is multi-use and can also be mixed in with foundations to give a super dewy finish or applied as a highlighter to the top of the cheekbones. L’Oreal Lumi Magique £9.99


f f

LOreal lumi magique

How did you blogger career start?I was SO frustrated with the lack of good advice on blogs that I was driven to it! Was it because of your skincare career?Absolutely. The advice was all about ‘how to pick the perfect foundation to cover your skin/hide spots’ and I was always reading them thinking ‘WHY isn’t anyone talking about the skin underneath??!’ What was your dream job when you were younger? A country music singer living in Nashville. Still is. How did you get into beauty therapy?It seemed an obvious extension of my passion for skincare. I knew I wanted more information than was available in the press/skincare counters. Do you recommend going to a certain school if you want to be a beauty therapist?Try and do either CIBTAC, CIDESCO or ITEC. NVQ is a foundation to build on if you can’t afford to do the others, but the course is not as detailed.

What is your favourite skincare range?Impossible to answer! A few that I am loving at the moment are Kate Somerville, Tatcha and Tata Harper. What is the top skincare related question that you are asked on a day-to-day basis?What can I do about my pores? What is your favourite make-up product? Concealer! It covers a multitude of sins without clogging up the skin. What are your top tips for new bloggers?Be yourself. Find your niche and just keep at it. Readers will come if you are consistent and honest. How did your blogging career take off?I built up a good reading early on, I was literally the only one out there with any kind of skincare qualification so a lot of people started following me and it spread by word of mouth. The turning point though was a video I did with Sam and Nic from Pixiwoo for BodyTalk Daily on Youtube. That gave me a large spike and I kept the readership growing from then on.

Five minutes with skincare expert

Caroline Hirons

Instagram diary

“Sign up details on the blog for The Cult Beauty Box by MOI. *calms down, makes tea* ”

“Sunday Facial featuring this lot. Tap for brands, then go get yer face did.”

MAY 3

MAY 5 MAY 2

“Just two obsessive Durannies hanging out. As you do when Bobbi Brown is standing next to you.”

MAY 1

“Talking all things hair, cuddly babies, sausages and breakfast with leestaffordhair this morning.”


Caroline hirons

#bbloggers magazine issue 1

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