Monday 30 September 2013

How to: Contour & Highlight

How you contour and highlight depends on your face shape. There are certain areas you should pay attention to depending on which face shape you are. 

Here are some diagrams that show clearly what you should highlight and contour:

CONTOURING AN OBLONGE, RECTANGLE AND SQUARE FACE:

CONTOURING A DIAMOND FACE:

CONTOURING AN INVERTED TRIANGLE AND HEART SHAPE:

CONTOURING A TRIANGLE FACE:

CONTOURING A ROUND FACE: 

CONTOURING AN OVAL FACE:

Now that you know your face shape and what you should be doing here's the products I use plus how I contour :)

Product List:
Crownbrush 10 Concealer Palette
MAC 190
Blank Canvas Cosmetics F17
Blank Canvas Cosmetics F18


I start by applying my normal foundation all over. When contouring I use a concealer palette so I try to use a light liquid foundation as your makeup will look heavy if you have a thick foundation and are applying heavy concealers over that. The Crownbrush 10 concealer palette is great as it comes with 5 contour shades an 5 highlight shades so there is something for every skin tone and you can choose how dramatic you want your contouring to look! 

I start with contouring so I take one of the darker shades on my MAC 190 and start on one side of my face and basically draw the shape of three. Do the same on the other side.


Then I use the BCC F17 and contour down the side of my nose. This is great for straightening your nose and making it look slimmer :)

I then add in some more contouring near the eyes before I move onto highlighting.

I then start highlighting. I use the same F17 brush and one of the highlights from the Crownbrush 10 concealer palette. I highlight under the eyes, under the line of contour that I have under my cheek, my chin, down the length of my nose and I finally fan out the highlight colour onto my forehead. 


I then blend using the BCC F18. It's important to get rid of all the harsh lines.

This is the kind of desired look I try to get :) half blended face :P 


 I set the finished look with some powder and then do the rest of my makeup and all that fun stuff :D

Crownbrush 10 Concealer Palette: http://www.crownbrush.ie/makeup-palettes/10-con.html
Blank Canvas Cosmetis Brushes: http://www.blankcanvascosmetics.com/

Hope this has helped :) 

Catherine xx


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Wednesday 25 September 2013

No Gym Membership? No Fancy Equipment? No Problem! :)

Here's a list of some of the exercises I do that don't require a gym membership or any fancy gym equipment. I will do a separate blog post dedicated to Ab exercises because there is just so many :) 

Squats:
  1. Place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. Extend your hands straight out in front of you to help keep your balance.
  2. Sit back and down like you're sitting into an imaginary chair.
  3. Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible.
  4. Keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position.

Targets: Glutes, Thighs, Hamstrings, Calf Muscles


Lunges:
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder's width apart, spine long and straight, shoulders back, gaze forward.
  2. Step forward with one leg into a wide stance (about one leg's distance between feet) while maintaining spine alignment.
  3. Lower your hips until both knees are bent at approximately a 90 degree angle. Your front knee should not extend over your ankle, and your back knee should hover above the ground. Keep your weight in your heels as you push back up to starting position.

Targets: Glutes, Core, Back, Thighs, Hamstrings, Calf Muscles


Side Lunge:
  1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Step your right leg out to the side about a strides width apart.
  3. Lean onto the right leg, bending at the hip, until your right thigh is parallel to the floor.
  4. Push yourself back to the starting position.
  5. Repeat on the left leg.

Targets: Glutes, Guads, Hamstrings, Calves, Obliques


Hip Raises:
  1. Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Raise your body so your body forms a straight line from shoulder to your knees
  3. Pause for 5 seconds in this position and lower the body back to the starting position.

Targets: Glutes, Hamstrings, Back


Mountain Climber:
  1. Begin in the push-up position.
  2. Bring the right knee towards the chest, resting the foot on the ground.
  3. Jump to switch feet from right to left.

Targets: Abs, Legs, Core, Arms


Press-Ups:
  1. Lie face down on the floor, with feet together.
  2. Place your hands on the floor, shoulders width apart.
  3. Raise your body up on the hands and toes until elbows are nearly straight, and then lower to a point where the elbow is at a right angle
  4. One “up and down” is one push-up repetition.

Targets: Chest, Arms,Core


Plank:
  1. Get your body into the traditional press-up pose
  2. Lower your body onto your forearms
  3. Hold the position here, holding your bodyweight as a resistance.
  4. Keep holding the position until your body drops to the floor.

Targets: Arms, Core


Plank-Ups:
  1. Start in the plank position.
  2. On the right side of your body, raise up onto your right palm.
  3. Follow by doing the same on the left side so you are in full press-up position.
  4. Drop back down on the right side and do the same on the left side so you are back in the plank position.

Targets: Lower Back, Chest, Shoulders, Arms


Tricep Dips:
(ok this one involves a chair but that doesn’t count as fancy equipment :P )
  1. Sit on a bench or chair and slide your butt forward off the chair so your supporting the weight of your body on your hands.
  2. Lower your body towards the ground until the elbows are at a 90 degree angle.
  3. Push your body up to the starting position and repeat.
  4. Start with your legs bent at 90 degrees, feet flat on the ground. Extend your legs as you get stronger at “dipping”.

Targets: Triceps, Bingo-Wings, Shoulders,Chest


Burpees:
  1. Stand up straight.
  2. Get into a squat position with your hands on the floor in front of you.
  3. Kick your feet back into a push up position and lower body to the floor.
  4. Return your feet back to the squat position as fast as possible.
  5. Immediately jump up into air.

Targets: Whole Body Workout



Give these a try :) Try doing three sets of as many of the exercises as you can manage with as many repetitions as is possible for you. Give yourself a 30sec (max. 1min.) break between each set. Add in some ab work and enjoy! :)

I try to do 45mins of resistance training followed by 15mins of cardio. 

I couldn't do every exercise on the list when I started so just keep going and you will eventually build up enough strength to complete everything on the list :) 

Check out youtube videos on any of the exercises you want to see in action!

Catherine xx

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Sunday 22 September 2013

Some benefits of Resistance Training

1. You will lose more body fat: you will shed the pounds but gain toned muscle and that’s what most people want to achieve at the end of the day – the toned look.

2. You will burn more calories: this form of training will elevate your metabolism and it will keep burning calories even when you are rest!

3. You will decrease your risk of osteoporosis: bone density will be increased.

4. You will reduce your risk of other diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

5. This form of training can be taken up at any age: don’t think that just because you are over a certain age that you are too old to benefit from taking up a new form of exercise.

6. You will improve your attitude and fight depression: resistance training is a great stress reliever and when you start to see what you can achieve through doing it you will gain more confidence and be happier in yourself.

7. You will have more energy: exhaust yourself during your workout and feel your energy levels rise in the long-run.

8. You will be physically stronger: stronger is the new skinny after all.



If you are going to try something new when it comes to exercise remember to have patience :) You won't see a change over-night, it will take time and commitment :) 



Catherine xx

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Make-Up Haul :)

Quick post about what I bought yesterday, my initial reaction about the products and where you can get them from :) 

I went to Dublin yesterday to check out some of products from Make-Up Aterlier Paris. I'v been excited to see this brand first hand for some time and finally got the chance :) We got a quick 101 session on make up basics for various skin types followed by a demonstration using the products on a model. 


We got to touch and feel the products and test them on our own hands which was great because the products are only sold in one location in Dublin and you have to order online if your not going to make the journey to Dublin. The make-up artist also stated that the products are not perfumed and there are even some essential oils used in the making of some of the range so its great for people with sensitive skin or for professionals who want to avoid clients coming back with an allergic reaction! 

So here's what I bought :)
From Left-Right: Eyeshadows: T16, T24, T01, T20
Top-Bottom: Creme Blush: Ambering Rose, Salmon
HD Powder 

The eyeshadows seem very pigmented :) The blush might look scary but it applies lovely and apparently the HD powder will last ages as your only meant to use a tiny bit!! The make-up artist kept stressing this point for everyone with a heavy-hand like myself haha Can't wait to try these on myself :) If you want to order some you can do so from their website: http://makeupatelier.ie/ 

I couldn't leave Dublin without a visit to Debenhams and Brown Thomas :P 

I popped into Debenhams to pick up some Benefit They're Real Mascara. I love this stuff!! It really separates out each of my lashes and makes them look fuller and longer. It happened to be on promotion at the moment, €26 for the full size mascara plus a free travel version :) Happy Days :)   



I visited the MAC counter in Brown Thomas then :) MAC have a new limited edition range out inspired by Antonio Lopez (legendary fashion illustrator). I usually wouldn't buy into these limited edition pieces because you end up spending a fortune trying to collect the whole range :P I couldn't walk by this one however. The packaging alone was just too arty for me not to take a second look. I ended up getting two blushes and a lip kit from the range :) The blushes on the top from left-right are Face/Pink, Face/Coral and the lip kit at the bottom is 3 lips/Nude. They are almost too pretty to use! :P 



My trip to Dublin didn't bankrupt me :P Had been a while since I bought some new make-up so think I deserved a treat :) 

Hope you Enjoyed :) 

Catherine xx

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Thursday 19 September 2013

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation Review

Product: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation
Price: R.R.P. 7.99 (5.99 on promotion at the moment in Sam McCauley's Chemist)


Challenge Accepted ;) 


I purchased the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation yesterday and put it to the test today. I was working from 9.30-6 and it's not a job where I just sit down all day. I'm pretty much constantly walking around, up and down stairs and on my feet so it got a bit of a workout :) I also purposely didn't reapply powder during the day to see how it would fair. 

It's a mousse foundation, clue is in the name ha :P When I first squeezed out some of the product it looked like it would be really heavy and possibly end up caking by the end of the day...but I was thankfully proven wrong. I applied the foundation using my Blank Canvas Cosmetics F20 Face Buffer brush from the HD range. It went on so nicely! A little goes a long way with this product and I only really needed half of what I thought I would need :) I didn't have to use a concealer either as it has great coverage. It felt really light on and made my skin look so smooth and soft. I finished off by applying the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (tried both out today-in for a penny, in for a pound ;)




I used 'soft beige' from the various shades I could have picked. The range of colours seem great and none of them looked like they had that hint of orange that comes with other foundation ranges...no one wants to look like they've been tangoed :P 

I checked how my face was doing on my lunch break :P No Shine!!! I couldn't believe it. On a normal day I would usually have to do a little touch up of powder after my lunch but I didn't need to with the Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation :D By the time I was completely finished in work my foundation had stayed looking just as good as it had that morning (I think we might need some dessert heat to break this one :P )  

I would definitely recommend this to others. It's great value for money and does exactly what it promises to do. It's great for achieving that matte look finish to the skin which is one of this season's trends. I will definitely purchase it again :)

Happy Camper :)

Catherine xx



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Wednesday 18 September 2013

Weight loss tips - Little changes that can make a big difference

1. Make water your go to drink! Most of our body is made up of water  and it needs as much as possible to function properly.



2. Don’t skip meals and make sure to eat breakfast. It kick starts your metabolism for the day.



3.Drink green tea. I can't emphasise this one enough!



4. Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate.



5. Try to cut out as many complex cards as possible i.e bread/chips etc. Replace them with brown rice where possible to get that “full” feeling or have an extra portion of veg.



6. Get yourself a good Omega-3 supplement (most people don’t get enough fish in there diet) and a good multi-vitamin.



















7. Try some flaxseed mixed with your food. It’s full of Omega-3. I mix it with porridge in the morning to kick-start the day 



8. Avoid snacking on foods advertised as "fat-free". For the most part these foods are fat-free because the fat they usually use has been replaced by more sugars or other lovely chemicals. Snack on berries and nuts (especially almonds) instead.



Give these a go and see how you get on. Everything takes time though so one good day of healthy eating isn't going to transform you. It takes patience with things like this but just remember that the time will pass regardless of what you do.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint when it comes to always making the right choice with regards to food. Sometimes cravings just get to you but if you do have a bad day, don't beat yourself up about it and more importantly don't just quit! Give yourself a cheat day every week and have some of the foods you've been missing. This will help you to keep sane :P 

Diet is just one part of it and exercise is the other. Try to combine both :) 

Happy and Healthy Eating :D 

Catherine xx

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Tuesday 17 September 2013

Make-Up Atelier Paris (Ireland): Product Introduction Day

Anyone in Dublin this weekend with no plans yet? If so you should give Make-Up Atelier an e-mail and see if they have any places left for their FREE Product Introduction Day taking place in the Mespil Hotel this Saturday (21/09/13). It doesn't start until 4pm so plenty of time to get there if you are not from the Big Sshhhmoke like myself :P On the day there promises to be a lecture, demonstrations, DISCOUNTS :D and much more...I hope the much more means free stuff haha :) 

I looked up this brand on youtube ages ago and the makeup artists that work with the products are just that! Pure artists when it comes to creating unique and different looks. This has to be one of my favourite videos from them: 



The work on the eyes is just amazing!! The whole look together is a bit much but at the end of the day its not meant to look like your everyday make-up :) 

I never thought I could like blue eyeshadow until I saw the following video!  


I love the way they use the eyeliner on the lower lash line in both videos, something to try on your next night out ;) 

From looking at the videos you can see that the products look amazing and are really pigmented :) I'v been dying to try them and I'm probably going to spend a small fortune on Saturday evening :P All in the name of research of course ;) 

To inquire about available spaces send an e-mail to info@makeupatelier.ie 
If you want to check out products and pricing check out their website: http://makeupatelier.ie/ (Free delivery within Ireland if you order from that site :)

I'll let you know what I end up buying :) EXCITED :D 



Monday 16 September 2013

Blank Canvas Cosmetics: FULL RANGE PRO DELUXE 18 PIECE BRUSH SET REVIEW :)

Full details of brushes included in the set can be found at: 

I ordered the 18 piece pro deluxe set a few weeks ago and have been using them ever since. They are the first proper full brush set that I own! I’ve fallen a little bit in love :) Up until then I had been using some, what I would call essential, brushes from the MAC range. As we all know these brushes are pretty harsh on the purse so being able to own a complete set of MAC is not realistic for most people. Blank Canvas Cosmetics offer a great variety of brushes of a high quality for a fraction of the cost!!

The set comes with 18 different brushes for both face and eyes. Everything from powder, blush, contouring, lip, eyeliner, eyebrow and a variety of different eyeshadow brushes for defining, detailing and blending. You can’t ask for much more than that. :) The set also includes 3 HD brushes from the BCC range. When you order you can pick between a brush folio or the Pro D brush holder. I went with the Pro D brush holder (BCC kindly sent me the brush folio as a free gift). You can store all the brushes in one cup and use the other to cover them if you are on the move or you can use the two cups to organise between your eye and face brushes when at home.

The quality of the brushes is great. They are all really soft and there has been no shedding so far....touch wood :P I did give them a quick wash first before I used them as there was quite a strong odour from the brushes and cup from the manufacturing process but that is well gone now so nothing to worry about.

My favourite brush from the set would have to be the F20 face buffer brush from the HD collection. It’s so good that it has stopped me reaching for my MAC 187 when it comes to doing foundation!!! Shocking I know :P Some of the brushes have multiple uses as well so you will always find one that will fit with what you are trying to achieve.


There was a nice 40% discount on brush sets when I placed my order. Could not turn down that kind of offer!! I’m sure offers like that will come around again, especially as we get closer to Christmas :D and if not they are well worth the price on the website. My order arrived within a few days of placing it and nothing got damaged on-route. Keep an eye on their website and facebook page for more products, offers and competitions. (5% discount on your first order once you like their facebook page ;)


Catherine xx

Full Range Pro Deluxe 18 Piece Brush Set in Pro D Cup Holder/Make-up Folio


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Sunday 15 September 2013

The Make-Up Essentials

Things that I NEED in my make-up bag!


If I look in my make-up bag and see that I’m running low on some of the following, I literally feel a little bit of fear setting in :P

Foundation:
Every girl needs a good foundation. Clue is in the name - it’s the foundation for your whole look. It’s important to pick the right shade for you. I never buy foundation online as I think it’s important to see the colour first hand. I usually test it on the back of my arm and let it dry so you can see what it will actually look like. Everyone has a fair idea of their own natural skin tone so try the one closest to that first. Worst case scenario and you can’t find your perfect match, go a shade lighter and then you can darken the colour with a good bronzing powder if needs be. Just a little side note: We all know foundation is for your face but don’t be afraid to include your neck, especially if the colour is not perfect for you. No one wants to see a straight line of foundation running all the way around your jawline :/  I’m favouring L’Oreál True Match (C2 Rose Vanilla) at the moment.


Compact Powder:
If you don’t use a compact powder this is probably the reason why you look in the mirror at the end of the day and have to think back to whether or not you put on foundation that morning. Powder is essential to set your foundation and to make sure that it stays for the majority of the day. It can be used to touch up your make-up and helps to control shine. I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Medium).


Mascara:
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, if that’s true they need a nice frame! A good mascara can open up your eyes and can make them appear bigger. Any more than 2 coats of mascara can give you a clumpy look which I personally am not a fan of. Benefit They’re Real Mascara is great for separating out the lashes! If you’re not particularly well endowed in the eyelash department you can always fake that one :D ;)




Eyebrow pencil:
Eyebrows are sooooo important to your face! Ever seen any of those celeb pics where they remove the eyebrows...not a good look!! Just look at poor Angelina Jolie :/
Use an eyebrow pencil to define the shape and to fill in the brow to make them appear fuller or to cover up areas where you may have gotten tweezer happy :P  (that or some brown eyeshadow will work).

I can breathe easy once I have these at hand in the morning :) Everything else I use is an added bonus for my face :P i.e. eyeliner, blush, eyeshadows etc.

What can’t you live without? 

Catherine xx


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