Some of my fav & must have Make Up books

These are some of my favourite make up books. Each of these are books are stunning and inspirational.

All of these books were purchased from Amazon but they are avaliable in all good book shops.

• MAKEUP IS ART (Professional techniques for creating original looks) byJana Ririnul & Lan Nguyan.

This is one of the most stunning books I have ever seen and it is with me at all times. It starts with advice about skin types and which products to choose, it also cover make up tools and how to get the perfect canvas. This is a must for an artist, ranging from the Bridal Make up artist or to someone who wants a wilder look, this will inspire you in so many different ways. I also like that it contains hundreds of beautiful photos, some of them show how to create some of the instense looks, even covering body painting.

I can not stress how much I love this book.

• make-up MASTERCLASS by Jemma Kidd

Jemma Kidd, in my opinion is a amazing make up artist and this book shows this. I think this book is great for everyone, ranging from the total beginner to semi-pro.

This book covers creating a perfect canvas, shaping eyebrows, how to care for different skin types etc.

I love how she shows how to create looks for different skins all the way through the book. Fot the 'Everyday Gorgeous' section she shows a look for Porcelain, Fair, Olive And Deep. Not a lot of books do this, they tend to have a more general explanation, but she has a look of each page for different skins.

She also has contain a holiday look which is great as people know how to apply their make up on but are unprepared for when they have a tan. She covers the topic quickly and also gives examples of what products to use while away.

Sorry but I couldn't go without make up on holiday.

• Makeup makeovers: Weddings ( Stunning looks for the entire bridal party) by Robert Jones

This is a lovely book for people that specialize in Bridal makeup or if you simply want to increase your natural beauy. It gives advise on what makeup to wear and how much to apply depending on what time of the day your wedding is, tanning before the big day, concealing scars and blemishes and then different products avaliable and how to use them. It then goes on to 'Creating your look' which is a series of before and after shots and explains how it was achieved and what time of the day the wedding is taking place. In my opinion, I think that some of these pictures have been slightly airbrushed but its not a major problem. Nice little book.

• ABOUTFACE (celebrity makeup techniques) by Scott Barnes.

This is a nice book. The images are really clear and well presented. Once again, this will range from the beginner to the semi-pro but even the pros could keep this book to had for quick reference, if they need to demonstrate something to the client. It contains a lot of interviews with models, stars etc.,. giving their views on make up (not a lot of detail) and things like that. I think this book could doi without these to be honest but thats just my opinion. Its also have transformation section which have before and after shots and step by step guides for each look with images, which helps a lot. Eventhough the images are striking (there is one that really isn't) the make up looks really heavy and thick which is ok if you are on a shoot but not on a day to day basis, but these can be toned down to suit your needs. This does contain some really useful information and the pictures are beautiful. Very nice book.

• MAKE UP by Marie Claire

Ok, I am fond of this book but only beause of the images. This is perfect for beginners as the information is very basic and common knowledge to an artist but a great starting point. I do really like that it tells you how to recognise your face shape. This sounds so easy but some people can find it hard to decide which one they are. As I have said, the information is very basic and straight forward, so perfect for the beginner. The images are nice, typical of a magazine, very in your face (which I like), however not pratical for every day use but good for basic inspiration.

It does contain a couple of pages about manicures and pedis, which is handy. It has some interviews from a few famous make up artist including Bobbi Brown which is very interesting, especially her one, and also a few step by step guides but some airbrudhing.

I prob sounds like I have a downer on this book, I don't, I like it but I think there are better ones avaliable to people with eaperience but it is a nice all round book that is good for training and helping others learn. Perfect for the beginner.

My fav is MAKEUP IS ART. It is breathtaking. Beautiful just to look through or to learn from.

Review: POND'S Nourishing anti-wrinkle cream

Kylie uses this!!!

What the packaging states

The Pond's Institute has improved its Pond's Nourishinhg Anti-Wrinkle S cream formula enriched with White Tea Extract, Vitamin B3 and UV Protection in order to:

• Increases skin's natural protection against leading causes of skin ageing.
• Smooth out wrinkles and help to prevent new ones from appearing.
• Visibly illuminate skin and improve its texture.

 The main reason I started using this cream was while during a chat with my Mum, I found out that this is the brand that my Grandmother used when she was alive. My grandmother had lovely skin. If a product has been around for that amount of time, there must be something good to it.

The packaging

It is really cute. Nice, clean & simple. A mixture better pink and white shades, and a cute little flower design.

The cream is contained within a glass jar with a pink lid. I can't explain why I love it so much, maybe as it is very ladylike, who knows.

The Product

When opening the jar, the cream appears to be quick thick but light at the same time. When applied to the skin, it is very easy to blend over and around the face without dragging or excess rubbing so only a small amount is need with each application. I have found that this cream sinks into the skin very easily and evenly.

I have combination skin and found that some creams can be drying in some areas and oily in others, I haven't had this problem with Pond.

I have been using this every morning after cleansing for 2 weeks and my skin is glowing, even in texture and I have had no breakouts.

I usually get spots with eating a lot of fatty food, around my time of the month and when I forget to take my make up off at night but I really haven't had a problem with this at all when using this cream.

My skin feels smooth and comfortable from the moment that I put it on. I have noticed that the dry areas around my nose have improved 100% using this.

My skin is looking super healthy.

Also this cream has a lovely fragrance to it. It is very light, with a slight flowery undertone and smells super fresh and clean. Beautiful.

As for the anti-wrinkle second of it, well I don't know as I haven't got any. I am a strong believer I starting your anti-wrinkle routine before the wrinkles begin to appear. All I can say is that by looking at my Grandmother, if I have skin like hers at her age while using this cream, I will be one very happy lady.

I brought my cream from Boots but you will have to keep your eyes peeled for it. There are only 3 products that they stock and that it two moisturiser and one cold cream. So if you can't see it make sure you ask as it is very easy to miss. This is a great same as I truely believe this is an amazing product and it doesn't get the display space.

This product is really cheap, retailing at around £5 so will not break the bank. 

I really can't imagine switching from this cream, it is a fixature in my personal collection. My skin has never felt this good.

Remember to trust your instincts when buying a product for your skin. Yes the magazine and TV adverts are great but think, if a products has been around for ages and it is still selling against these new products, there must be something great in it.

Even some very well know celebrities are using this range from Pond, such as Kylie Minogue and how great is her skin.

Give it a go. You won't regret it.

Recent Views

Views from the UK, USA, South Korea, Bolivia, Finland and Oman! Thank you ♥


I can not explain how happy this has made me. I sort of expected to get some views in the the UK but not from over countries.


This really has made my day.


Thank you so much x

Avon: Solutions day. Maximum Moisture refreshing day cleanser

What the packaging says:

Removes overnight buildup and deep-cleanses. Leave skin feeling clean, refreshed and hydrated and balanced.

I haven't in the past been a fan of Avon make up, Some of the products are ok but some are terrible.

I decided to give the skin care range a go. I was pleasently surprised.

The packaging is very simple and clean on the front with I like but the back the Simple line of information is displayed in every language possible. I don't have a problem with other languages being displayed, I just don't like that the packagaing now looks over crowded and messy.

The pachaging isn't made brilliantly. I flicked the cap off and haven't been able to shut it since.

The product is a clear gel which you apply to wet skin and the later up. Now bubbles or anything like that it forms but it is easily spreadable.

Usually when I use a wash off cleanser, I experince a tight feeling of the skin but this time I didn't.

It has a very pretty clean smell to it with I love and this isn't left of the skin afterwards.

I really like this product. Didn't think that I would say that but i do.

My skin felt soft and clean afterwards and there was not tightness. I used it about 5 hours ago and skin still feels lovely.

Good buy and not expensive at around £4 and will last you a while.

Avon, you are changing my views on you.

SOAP & GLORY: BRIGHT HERE, BRIGHT NOW, instant-radiance energy balm.

What the product says:

Make that dull skin dazzle. Beautifully luminous skin, with moisturizing apricot kernel oil, alow vera and our immediate face firming active INSTANTIGHT 2.

Apply a generous amount of BRIGHT, BRIGHT NOW onto clean skin, whenever your face is flagging. (use it like a moisturizer or mix it into your makeup!)

BRIGHT HERE, BRIGHT NOW was safety/efficacay tested on a panel of particularly willing women who gave a verbel nod to their assignment by uttering 'whatever you say glows'

At Soap & Glory we believe that, pretty is as pretty does.

WARNING: Avoid getting this product into your eyes. Not only will it hurt, but will likely temporarily disbale your aim.

 I like soap and glory. I like that they have a cheeky approach to makeup and beauty products. They have a charm about them.

This product comes in a plastic squeezy red and silver tube. There is a lot of writing (written above) on the product. This is something that I will sort of like as it is funny.

The product itself is a pale peachy-pink in colour and is fairly thin in thickness so is easy to spread. You only need a small about of this product to cover the whole face and stinks in very well.

It has a strongish smell to it, that does subside after a while. It is a mixture of aloe vera and cleanliness.

I have combination skin, which can turn very dry very quickly so I need to be careful what is applied to my skin.

I wouldn't say that my skin dazzled by any means, it just looked like it had been cleansed and moisturised (which it had).

It felt comfortable on the skin but not as comfortable as my regular creams.

I tested the morning after a night out. Skin had the normal greyish hangover look to it so thought this would perk it up. It didn't.

My skin looked ok, it didn't effect it in a negative way.

Its a cute little cream and I don't support that it makes your skin dazzle at all. As i simple moisturiser it is ok. Not breath taking but if you had a normal skin type it would be ok to use daily.

This retails for around £10 a tube. If Im honest, its a cute idea but there are better creams avaliable on the market for this price.

"Black Swan"

I love the Black Swan look and quickly attempted to recreate it.

This took me around 10-15mins.

The products used:

• Stargazer Foundation in White
• Snazaroo Face paint in White
• Snazaroo Face paint in Black
• Rimmel Glitter liquid eyeliner in Silver
• Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara in Black
• Rimmel eyeliner pencil in Black
• Black feathers
• Snazaroo Special Fx Spirit Gum
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Cherry Red

This is the type of artistry that I love the most. I love things that are a bit extreme and bold. Love it.

St Patrick's day

St. Patrick's day is approaching and so I decided to create a quick Make Up idea.

The products I used were:

Mac Face & Body Foundation in C2

Benefit Lemon Aid Eye Primer

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

Benefit Bad Lash Mascara in Black

Fräulein3°8 120 Full Color Makeup Eyeshadow in 3 shades of green

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 24hr

Rimmel Powder Blush in Oyster

Rimmel Transulcent Face Powder

Vaseline Lip Balm Rose tint

Gem purchased at Hobbycraft.

I love Glitter

This is not a look that I wear daily but sometimes a girl needs a little sparkle.