Contour - How To Create Killer Cheekbones

I don't have stand out cheekbones but with a bit of makeup magic and clever contouring I can create and fake those to die for cheekbones that I so desire.

How to create and cheat your way to Killer Cheekbones in 3 easy steps - 

Contour
Blush
Highlight

Step 1 - Use a matte contour blush in a shade one or two darker than your natural colour - Suck in your cheeks and follow the hollow under the bone to apply the blush - I love Smashbox Blush Silhouette in Rush.

Step 2 - Apply your blusher as normal, I take mine up to the hairline - One of my all time faves is NewCID Cosmetics i-glow in Coral Crush.

Step 3 - Apply a highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones for added definition and contrast - I absolutely love the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc that comes with 4 highlighting shades.

The picture above is quite dramatic but you can still recreate killer cheekbones in a more subtle way - as seen in this picture where I am wearing a red lipstick

The blusher I used for this look was a matte neutral which is the the perfect shade for wearing with red lipstick but also works equally with a barely there nude/warm beauty look.

Cargo Blusher in shade Tonga

Beauty Look - How to do Sultry

I love playing with and trying out make up and of course creating different beauty looks. I love seeing just how different my face can look with the help of a few colours and tricks!

The look above is one that I particularly adore - A bit sultry, a bit sex kitten. This is a look where the focus is predominantly on the Kohl eyes but the rest of the makeup has to be soft but sculpted for real impact. I think this is great date night make up.

The products I used 

Foundation - Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in Champagne 
Bronzer - Little Mix by Collection Bronze It Jesy Bronzer
Contour Blush - Smashbox Blush Silhouette in Rush - Create fabulous cheek bones
Blusher - Cargo Cosmetics Blush in Tonga - A neutral blush
Highlighter - Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Pink Tourmaline - I love this shimmer bloc as a radiance enhancer.
Lip Gloss - Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Nude Lip Gloss - The perfect peachy pink nude gloss allowing the eyes to shine.
Mascara - Benefit They're Real Mascara
Eyeliner - Maybelline New York Master Kajal Kohl Liner in Pitch Black - For added interest I have drawn two flicks coming out at the corner of my eyes.

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème

I Indulged in a pampering bath today and enveloped my post bath body in one of the nicest body cream scents ever.... Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème is so wonderfully decadent, rich and sweet and yet not overpowering. As with all the Laura Mercier body crèmes this is a real treat to use.

Laura Mercier say 

Top Notes: Tangerine, Coconut, Almond
Heart Notes: Tiger Orchid, Milk Flower, Heliotrope
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla Beans, Brown Sugar, Sandalwood

Enriches the skin with Vitamin A, C and E derivatives
Grape Seed and Rice Bran Oil condition the skin
Vanilla Extract and Honey offer soothing benefits
Sweet Almond and Hydrolyzed Rice Proteins, along with Pro-Vitamin B-5 provide moisture balance and protection

My thoughts 

This is a luxurious body cream that is light, yet whipped in texture. It leaves skin feeling silky soft and this feeling lasts for hours. I applied this at 12pm and 9 hours later I can still smell the scent on my skin and feeling the moisturising benefits. It starts off with a delicate citrus scent and then becomes milky, vanillary and sweet. Just gorgeous.

Wickedly indulgent ..a Laura Mercier Body Crème should be on everyone's Christmas list.

May I suggest the Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Crème Sampler Collection which retails for £40 and features the following four delicious jars of good enough to eat scents -  Almond Coconut Milk, Ambre Vanillé, Crème Brûlée and Crème de Pistache. 

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème costs £43.50 for a 300g jar.

*Item pictured is a mini sample

Embracing The Frostiness - Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Pink Tourmaline

Another highlighter you may say.. I say a girl can never have enough, each of the ones I possess are a little bit different from the others..just so you know!

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Pink Tourmaline Mosaic is just perfect to create a gorgeous icy glow to skin. To achieve a cool tone to my skin I concentrate on swirling my brush against the white and pink and for an altogether warmer glow I swirl it across the whole Shimmer Bloc. Radiant, bright and illuminating this is one of my favourites. Embracing the inner ice maiden, I have been reaching for this a lot over the winter period.

The baked powder formula is incredibly smooth and silky making it easy to blend.

Natural Light

With Flash

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Mosaic £31

Do you have a favourite highlighter?

Laura Mercier Spring 2013 - Arabesque

Laura Mercier Spring 2013 Arabesque Soft. Sweet. Serene.

Inspired by the spirit of light and movement. From the sweet nuance of a ballerina to the fluid moves of yoga and dance, Laura interpreted motion into a colour palette that is soft, ethereal and beautiful.

Stand out products for me

Free Spirit Baked Eye Colour Palette £30 - Shades - Blue Zen, Soft Cloud, Satin Ribbon, Bare Yoga, Pink Tutu.

Faux Lash Mascara in Navy Slate £18.50

Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Arabesque £20

Nail Lacquer in En Pointe £15.50

On Counters January 2013

Laura Mercier Spring 2012 - The Lingerie Collection

When the details of The Lingerie Collection from Laura Mercier popped into my inbox  my eyes lit up and I knew I just had to share it with you. The shades represent a real step into Spring with shades of peach, coral and pink.

This collection focuses on the soft romantic colours and fabrics of the Victorian Age.The Lingerie Collection is undoubtedly romantic, modern and feminine with lips and cheeks in warm corals and peaches and eyes in neutral browns and taupe greys.

Eye and Cheek Palette - £41.50 Limited Edition

Eye Colour: Buff Pearl (lustre), Tawny Apricot (sateen), Rich Cocoa (matte), Pale Pink (matte), African Violet (lustre), Black Plum (matte).
Cheek Colour: Rose Desire, Fresh Peach.

Lip Shine in Tempting Coral - £17 Limited Edition

A hint of colour with a lightweight, pearlescent gloss finish.

Lip Shine in Naked Apricot - £17 Limited Edition

A hint of colour with a lightweight, pearlescent gloss finish.

Crème Cheek Colour in Innocent Peach - £18.50 Limited Edition



The Lingerie Collection is out now 

Laura Mercier Lip Glace - Champagne

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Champagne is one of my favourite glosses and I have only had it since Christmas! I was instantly drawn to Champagne at the Laura Mercier counter, popped it onto my Christmas list and hey presto unwrapped it on Christmas Day.

Nice packaging that allows you to see the product clearly and a a perfect sized soft sponge applicator makes this a delight to own and use.

Champagne is a beautiful nude shade with more than a hint of peach to it. It has a creamy consistency with good, even pigmentation that is not overly sticky at all. The Lip Glace is packed with shimmer particles that give it a wonderful brilliant shine. Scent wise, it smells good - Vanilla.

Swatch of Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Champagne

I find it extremely flattering against my skin tone and love the way that it enhances my lips. I think that the shimmer in this gloss resembles the bubbles that you get in Champagne, so pretty!

Here are a few pictures of how Champagne looks on my lips.

Boxing Day Make Up - Face Of The Day

My Boxing Day make-up

Primer - Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Eye Primer - Urban Decay EyeShadow Primer Potion Eden
Foundation - Airbase High Definition Airbrush Make-up Shade Medium 03
Concealer - Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light
Bronzer - Accessorize Baked Bronzer Duo - Bali Shade 2
Blusher - Accessorize Merged Baked Blusher 6 - Scandal
Eye Shadow - 17 Trio Eye Shadows in Enraged
Eye Liner - Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Intense Plum (Ltd Edition)
Mascara - Flawless You Forever Luscious Mascara in Black
Lip gloss - Laura Mercier Nude Lip Glace in Champagne

New Product From Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Hand Crème - £13

Inspired by the sweet, fresh, intoxicating scent of Fig, Laura Mercier introduces a new scent to her delicious Gourmand Body & Bath Collection, launching just in time for Mother’s Day, or for any day that needs a touch of luxury. The indulgent essence of fresh Celeste Figs mingle with a dewy fruit bouquet of Apricot Nectar and sensuous Ylang Ylang to create a rich, luxurious scent, unlike any other. The smooth, creamy notes have a soft sweetness, while the subtle green, earthy elements add an unexpected twist.

This is a deep penetrating crème that leaves the skin velvety soft. Richer in texture and emollients than her other crèmes, HAND CRÈME works over time to ensure the healthiest, smoothest hands. This amazing crème contains rich plant oils and essential vitamins to make the driest skin like new.

I think this sounds amazing, I hope it smells as wonderful as it sounds! I cannot wait to smell it. I am already a huge fan of Laura Mercier Creams and use the Crème Brulee Body Soufflé for some after bath indulgence.

Launches April 2011

Stockists Nationwide and London: Selfridges, Space NK, Harrods, Liberty, House of Fraser, Bentalls

Laura Mercier Body Soufflé Crème Brûlée

Every woman loves a bit of pampering and indulgence once in a while....
I was bought this after I gave birth to Aaron and fell in love with it immediately. The packaging is exquisite, it smells amazing, I feel good enough to eat!
It has a gorgeous thick texture and goes on without leaving your skin greasy. I found my skin felt moisturised for hours and the scent remained but didn't overpower. Plus it looks fab on your bathroom shelf.
I feel a million dollars if I apply after my shower but at £42 a jar I save this for once a week.
If crème brûlée is not your thing, head down to your local Laura Mercier counter to try out the others in the range  - crème de pistache and almond coconut milk mmmmm and they are also available as hand creams.