Month: July 2015

Rich and Earthy.

I can’t quite describe my excitement over this seasons colour palette. Earthy tones are sweeping the streets and all the stores are stocking that rusty orange, easy khaki and soft tans to welcome in the autumn season. They are such gorgeous colours- so rich and warm they go perfectly against your summer skin.

natural

These colours are so easy to wear and look so effortless and chic on any skin tone. I am in love. Remember to also think textures, in these street snaps above we have a satin draping cami dress, suede A line dress and a ribbed bodycon racer back dress. So elegant, simple and bang on trend.

Complexion Perfection.

Everyone’s skin in different but I wanted to share with you how I like to achieve a glowing complexion. For me I believe it’s all about creating highlights and shadows with a slight dewiness to make your skin appear healthy and fresh. I like to start with Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix foundation “for a healthy glow and flawless complexion” I apply this evenly and not to heavily across my whole face, this will act as a base for the other products so I like to keep it as light as possible whilst achieving full coverage, I also like to apply it with a medium foundation brush to ensure coverage. If you are in a hurry I like to pretty much leave it there as this foundation isn’t too masking your skin looks great just from this but for the true rich glow it’s time to contour and highlight.

So next I take Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Chestnut. it’s important to choose a concealer that is at least 3 shades darker than your skin tone because you are going to blend it into the natural shadows of your face to give it greater depth. So using the concealer draw a line following the hollow under your cheek bones and across your forehead close to your hair line and then using a beauty sponge blend it out, working the colour until it softens and blends into the foundation below. Subtly is the key.

Next you need to lift the highlights of your face; under your eyes, down your nose and into your T zone. For this I like to use a Light Foundation stick in the fairest shade. I draw a triangle under each eye and then a large T shape down my nose and up into my forehead. Then using my finger I like the blend and soften this colour into the foundation below. You have now created a complexion filled with highlights, mid tones and shadows that give structure to your face.

Finally I like to finish with Rimmel London’s Up and Glow highlighter, it’s a shimmer cream that sits perfectly when applied to the peak of the cheek bones and above the brow for that added glow.  I accompany my complexion with a lick of mascara and i’m ready to go for that fresh faced look.

Contouring can be extremely complex but I find this simplified technique works well and looks great for everyday makeup.

IMG_1421

Want to know how to keep that summer tan for longer, click here.

https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/glowing/

Want help finding the right foundation for your skin tone, click here.

https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/my-top-two-foundations/

Glowing.

Since getting back from holiday 2 weeks ago my tan is slowly fading but I’m determined to keep the glow for as long as possible.  The best thing you can do for your skin is keep it hydrated. Use a light weight body mosterisor so your skin stays plump but not caked in a greasy residue, I find it best to do this at night before bed so it has all night to seep in. Similarly your shower routine is very important I’m using Right Guard’s shower oil it’s rich in argon, almond and coconut oils -great for your skin and smells amazing. It’s good to buff your skin over with the palm of your hand as not to scrub your tan away.

And finally for finishing touches I use Body Shop’s bronzing dry oil on my arms and legs to add that extra glow especially now my natural colour is fading a little.

 

A post on the perfect glowing makeup to match your glowing tan is to come, so stay tuned! 😀

Work shoes.

You may have read in previous posts or seen on my Instagram https://instagram.com/katie_clarke94/ I have a new job; as a cover corporate receptionist, I travel around London filling in for leave and sickness at the large office buildings around London. I have to be well dressed and professional, in a black pencil skirt, jacket and blouse with a pearl necklace and earrings. The uniform is provided but I have to supply my own shoes. You don’t want to know how long I was looking and how many pairs of shoes I ordered and sent back until I found the right ones.

If you’re anything like me I wanted a comfortable pair of relatively high heels in black leather. Sounds standard but it was really hard to find what I was after. Turned out Newlook is the place to go for the widest range of shoes suitable for the office.

Here are my top three. Number one: Black Comfort Leather Platform Courts by Newlook originally £34.99 but reduced to £14 in the sale. The shoe is very comfortable with a padded sole, they fit true to size and being genuine leather they will soften and mold to your foot. The shoe has a rounded toe, small platform and an 11cm heel giving them a classic and sophisticated look.

Comfort courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-platform-court-shoes-_330611401

For the wider foot Newlook has come out on top again with their Wide Fit Black Court Shoes now £10 in the sale!! These shoes are perfect if you have a broader foot they again come with a rounded toe and discrete platform with a 10cm heel and have a elegant finish.

wide fit courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-wide-fit/wide-fit-black-court-shoes-_342919401

Finally if you are tall or you really struggle in heels and are looking for a lower pair, why not consider these Black Comfort Leather Pointed court shoes again currently in the sale at £12 these have a lower 8cm heel in a soft leather again with a padded sole.

pointed courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-pointed-court-shoes-_330585701

So there we go Newlook has turned out on top when it comes to formal shoes for work. Obviously there are other places that sell black courts but I didn’t like the styles or shapes and they were no where near the price of these ones from Newlook especially as they are currently all in the sale. Happy shopping everyone.

Men in Sandals.

Men’s summer footwear can be slightly limiting. Most guys stick to their trainers and I am defiantly not saying there is nothing wrong with a good pair of chino shorts, white T, sunnies and a crisp pair of white converse or relaxed boat shoes. But when you are away on holiday and the weather is just too hot for shoes you have to turn to something lighter. So what are your options?

Fip flops- the classic beach shoe, really comfy and relaxed perfect for a warm day of doing nothing.

But what if you need something a little more sturdy but still light and airy. My solution; Birkenstocks. They are such a classic summer essential and round any outfit off. No blisters between your toes from flip flops, and a more supported sole an they are so durable being leather and cork. I know they ain’t every guys cup of tea but I think they’re great. You should defiantly give them a chance especially if flip flops are sore on your toes.

birks

A good mani.

A girl with a good manicure projects confidence and professionalism. You can’t hide your hands, we use them for everything from greeting someone to simply scrolling through our phones.

I like to paint my nails just as much as the next girl but I was struggling to find the point. I would always choose a nice shade and it would look great for the first day but after a while and after I’ve washed up a few dishes and tidied the house twice my nails would always be left chipped and broken. I would then struggle to find time to redo them so they just continue to slowing chip away till I’m left with that horrible little patch of colour in the centre of each nail.

nude nails

I have just started a new job and shabby nails were not an option. First impressions matter even down to the colour of your fingers and toes. So I decided to get my nails done. I’ve never thought it was worth it before but now seemed as good a time as any to give it a go.

shades of nude

I had my nails shellacked. Basically its the same as painting your natural nails like you would at home, but the special formula sets like rock under UV light leaving your nails feeling super strong and so glossy. The brand I used was CND Shellac -they come is a huge array of colours. I am wearing Field Fox its a gorgeous dusky nude pink shade. If I wasn’t at work I would probably try a darker mauve colour, or a striking red or black. CND claims it will last chip free for 14 days, It’s currently day 4 and so far it looks as fresh as the day I had it done -Yay Sucsess! Hav a found a polish that actully lasts? I will keep you posted on how it looks on day 14 and whether I feel it is worth spending the little extra money on it.

For inspiration and my favourite shades check out my nails board on Pintrest.

Thanks for reading everybody. A follow up post is to come shortly. Have you had any experience with Shellac? leave your comments and views below. Lots of love 🙂 xx

Holiday Blues.

We got back from Egypt earlier this week and have now finally sorted all the washing and got unpacked and we are now feeling the holiday blues setting in. Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt is honestly one of the most amazing places to go on holiday. Its just Sun. Sand and Sea. The temperatures were up in the high 30s every day with the sea breeze giving a refreshing relief. The beaches where we were, in Sharks Bay were clean with sand stretching across the whole coast line. And then there is the sea- The Red Sea with the most amazing corral reefs and marine life. We went snorkeling and scuba diving at Ras Mohammed National Park, it is the second best rated coral reef in the whole world after the Great Barbour Reef in Australia and is the most amazing place I have ever been. We also were so lucky to get to see wild dolphins, about 20 in total, we took a speed boat out at sunset and came across them, they played with the boats wake, swimming along side us and one guy even did a flip for us, twice!

ras mohammed

When we weren’t at the beach or out at sea we chilled at the hotel, lapping up the sun, getting our tan on and taking full advantage of all inclusive. Cobra Libre was our drink of choice- Rum, Coke and lime juice -Delicious! we would spend the day basking in the sun and then cooling off with a splash in the pool. Sharm is honestly the best balance of chilling doing nothing and being adventurous and exploring the gorgeous Red Sea.

Solymar-Sharks-Bay

Now we are back in the UK and typically it starting to rain as we landed. It’s now back to reality, I start my new job on Tuesday and I am just enjoying the last few days of nothing before the 6am alarm has to be set.

We have been to Sharm for the past two years so we have said next year we have to go somewhere different. Any suggestions?? next year is a long way off so we have plenty of time to think and plan. 🙂

I’l leave you with our holiday video and I’l cry a little as I watch and wish I was back there.

Hope everyone is having a great summer. For those of you heading off on holiday soon have an amazing time. And for those of you here stay tuned for more posts coming soon.