THE PERFECT COVER

Before After

Have you ever wondered how to use foundations, powders and concealers all together without looking like you have on a mask? Well, you can. Like the perfect bra, concealers, powders and foundations should enhance, smooth and correct seamlessly. I will teach you how to pull it off like a pro.

Firstly, let us deal with concealers. Concealers come in different textures. It could be creamy or liquid. I would advise you avoid heavy formulations because they settle into fine lines and tend to make your makeup base look heavier hence the masky look. Make sure the colour you select is warm, never cool or pale. Also, contrary to most makeup artists advice, don't go two or three shades lighter than your foundation shade. That works well for photo shoots, not reality. Stay within the range of your skintone and only move up one shade lighter, especially if you are trying to conceal dark circles or discolourations around the mouth and nose area. If you have trouble finding a shade of concealer that suits you, i strongly recommend using maximum coverage stick foundation. They work very well. To get it looking all seamless, i will suggest applying your concealer first on all d trouble spots and areas then proceed to putting on your foundation.

Foundations can be your best friend if you get it right.Always match your foundation shade to your undertone. To ensure perfection, look for a color that blends with your face, neck and chest, not the center of your face that can have variations in tone. Try a new foundation shade in the daytime and step out of the store into natural light to get a truer picture of what you look like. For a softer and more natural finish, use a damp clean sponge to apply your foundation. A dry sponge piles on too much colour on your face and wastes a lot of your products. Start the application process in the center of the face and work outwards. This way, you'll apply a little less product around the outer edges, so the results appear more natural. If you have a dull complexion, liven it up by adding some shimmer into your foundation or buy the formulas that offer luminosity.

Powders are very essential in your makeup kit to achieve a longlasting flawless look. I am a huge fan of healthier option of makeup so I love mineral makeup and i use mineral powders mostly for myself and my clients. To achieve a more natural skinlike result, avoid opaque formulations that deposit too much color. They can make you look masky and too made up. Use loose mineral makeup or oil-free pressed powders to set your makeup. Whether you prefer loose or pressed powders, ditch the sponges or powder puffs. They leave behind a lot of product and give an inconsistent finish. Always use a large fluffly powder brush to apply your powder. It deposits a nice transparent layer.

Makeup brands I will recommend are Flori Roberts foundation and powders, ELF mineral booster and True ID by Merola mineral makeup line.

Have a flawless day.

How to accessorize like a pro with a tight budget.

Do you want to a quick and easy way to expand your wardrobe without spending a lot of money? Well, dig out all of your fashion accessories and start putting it to good use. You heard me right. All those handbags, shoes, jewelry and "stuff" you have crammed into your wardrobe and drawers can be put into very good use into transforming your wardrobe styling - as long as you know how to use them correctly.

Unfortunately, most women don't know how to accessorize creatively. They buy accessories for specific outfits and never wear them with anything else. Or they buy one thing, like a wristwatch or earrings and wear it with everything, everyday. Some are so devoted to following fashion trends that they tend not to be aware of the impact certain pieces of accessory has on their overall appearance and image. Well, today i will try my best to address this and have all you looking your most stylish self.

Accessories present a whole world of opportunity, fun and creativity when used correctly, from pulling together unrelated pieces to transforming an outfit in a moment's notice. You can use to them to look more elegant, slimmer, brighter, richer, or whatever and you don't have to spend a fortune to achieve that. In fact, once you understand how to accessorize correctly and start putting these little pieces to work for you, you will spend less and do more with the pieces you already have in your possession. You will create your own distinct style by doing so.

I will use a very simple illustration that we all can relate to. The basic black dress. Every lady must possess a black dress that can work for both day and night functions. The black dress will forever remain chic, timeless and elegant.

The key pieces you will need to make your black dress stand out are brooches, beautiful belts, quality scarves, selection of glamorous shoes and handbags/purses, assortment of jewelry including cocktail rings and beautifully applied makeup.

For a pop of colour, drape a beautiful scarf around your shoulders. Also add a classic brooch for a touch of class or sparkle. You can scrimp on the cost of your dress but please spend on the finest handbags and shoes you can afford. Have them in various hues of colour to suit your complexion and styling taste. Pearls are a ladies best friend so please buy yourself a strand or two or three. Nothing says glamour than a luxurious strands of pearls. Add signature evening accessories for special occasions. When dressing up for an evening event, metallic strappy shoes, diamond encrusted bangles and sequinced clutches are small touches that will convert the little black dress from day to evening quickly. Use dramatic makeup to add additional colour to this wardrobe classic. Don't ignore lips, eyes, fingernails and toenails when accessorizing the little black dress. Makeup, when applied correctly, is the ultimate accessory for the fashionable women wearing the little black dress.

The most important thing to remember is that you are the one rocking the dress and the style and not the otherway around. Invest in quality underwear and shapewear to give you a beautiful silhouette. Love yourself and be confident. Post any fashion and style comments or questions and invite your friends to join the blog. Watch out for my monthly giveaway competition where you get to win fabulous prizes.

Creating the perfect canvass for makeup

No matter how great your makeup skills are, nothing beats a perfect canvas, and that is your skin of course. You need to have beautiful clear skin to showcase your makeup perfeectly. Makeup enhances but will be washed off and you will be left with your bare naked skin to look at, good or bad. You have heard it a thousand times before: Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise. I have a fourth addition to your skin, PROTECT.

To start looking after your skin properly, you need to know the skin type category you fall into so as to be able to purchase the products that are suitable for you. If you dont know your skin type, consult a beauty therapist or beauty expert to look at your skin and start you on the right path. You must cleanse your face at least twice a day. You may use the wash off types or the disposable face wipes to cleanse your face. After that, you use an alocohol free toner to complete the cleansing process and refresh the skin. You then treat and moisturise your face with a serum and moisturiser that is suitable for your age and skin type. Your face cream for day use should have at least SPF15 or more if you are wearing lightening creams or have a fairer complexion to prevent sun damage. Lastly, you apply a makeup primer to give your makeup a smooth base to lie on and you are ready to work your makeup magic.

Once or twice a week, exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and apply a mask to deep cleanse your pores. Visit your facialist at least once every 6 weeks to pamper and extract blackheads and whiteheads from your skin.

Remember, beautiful skin outlives fantastic makeup so take good care of your skin. Dont smoke, drink moderately, eat clean and get adequate sleep and you are on your way to looking younger even when you are old and gray. Start today and make your best features work for you.

My top product picks are Botanics Brightening cleanser, Flori Roberts Enlighten Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser, Ardyss AM PM Logetivity cream, Botanics Night Facial Oil, Ardyss Triple Derma Management System.

Feel free to write to me for free advice and to request topics or questions you need answer to.

Have a great week.

Makeup brands for women of colour

I don't know about you but i absolutely love using makeup and experimenting with colours on diverse ethnic faces. I recently started using a makeup brand called Flori Roberts and i was extremely surprised that their foundation was fantastic and suitable for every woman. Being an African woman, i get frustrated having to mix my foundation and disgusted with makeup companies that say they cater for darker skin women and have 3 to five shades only. Flori Roberts have a good range of shades to choose from and different formulation as well. The makeup passed the humidity test with flying colours because i applied makeup on some models early in the morning and by the time the photshoot was over by 7pm the makeup base still looked good. So sisters, try Flori Roberts. I will be back with more tips and products reviews so stay tuned. Remember, beauty comes from within, so make sure the inner matches d outside. Remain beautiful.