The daily commute has re-commenced, the kids have gone back to school and the festive party season is a distant memory. You may be feeling a little lethargic, your skin may have seen better days and your makeup may be screaming 2014 because you've not even thought about updating your routine. No need to fear, because I have some some tips and tricks that will help you to look and feel fabulous right the way into Spring. We have a tendency to just keep bubbling along and applying the same products as we did in December, but a few small changes could see you step out of your door with a spring in your step and a glowy look on your face - no holiday required! Here are my five best pieces of advice to help you get that understated and radiant glow this January.
1. Invest In A Lighter Foundation
Although our instant reaction to cold weather is 'give me the heaviest foundation you've got', it's actually much more effective to opt for a lighter base to allow your skin to shine through. Heavier foundations can look cakey and cover the beautiful tone underneath, whereas lightweight alternatives help to uniform tone and cover imperfections without totally eradicating any kind of skin tone. My current favourite foundation is this BD Trade Secrets Vital Skin Long Wear Foundation (£9.99,) which in one pump provides enough coverage to even out any dullness or discolouration without overloading my skin. It doesn't cake, it lasts all day and it even contains SPF20 to protect against sun damage, ensuring healthy looking skin in the long-term.
2. Change Up Your Colour Reportoire
As Christmas approaches we all get out the shimmering eyeshadows, smokey tones and bold red lipsticks to give us that 'party' look. However, come January these colours simply don't work - we need to opt for subtler tones and more understated shades to help our natural beauty shine through. (Less is definitely more!) I love peachy cream blushers, like this Bourjois Cream Blush in shade 02 (£8.00) which helps to add a flush of colour to cheeks without overloading them. Pinks are great, but they can contrast too much against a paler complexion in the colder months; peaches and more delicate tones are a much safer bet while looking incredibly natural. Similarly, opting for nude tones on your eyelids, highlighted and contoured with a touch of brown, is a much more wearable look than heavy blacks or greys - your eyes will look far more awake with a swipe of cream or taupe and lashings of mascara!
3. It's All About Highlighting
You may think highlighters are just for the warmer months, but they're also a great way of adding a touch of warmth to your complexion by reflecting the light in key places. 'Flat' complexions have a tendency to look dull and can actually 'age' us, but a touch of highlighter across the top of cheekbones and along the bridge of the nose will help your skin to ooze health; it's the easy way of making it look like you've come back from a weekend spa retreat. I love the BD Trade Secrets Dream Shine Highlighter (£7.99,) which comes in a little pump-tube to minimise mess or wastage; the formula is extremely lightweight and can be blended into skin with a finger, drying to leave a very subtle shimmer that catches the light beautifully.
3. Ditch The Heavy Khol
If Kate Middleton is reading, this one is for you. Khol may look great around a smokey eye on New Years Eve, but come the new year it looks too heavy and has a tendency to make our eyes look smaller. The contrast between black khol and your otherwise understated complexion is too much, so instead opt for either a delicate line of dark brown shadow (buff into the lashline with a stumpy brush or use your finger to create a delicate smudge) or simple cat flick created with an eyeliner pen, such as Maybelline's Gel Pen. Winged eyeliner is timeless, stylish and instantly ensures your look is complete - there's a reason it's a favourite with bloggers, celebs and makeup artists. These alternatives will ensure the focus is on your beautiful eyes, not your overly contoured eye makeup.
5. Understated Lips Are Awesome
I'm a huge fan of the power lip (come Saturday night it's rare to see me sporting anything other than a bold red or berry tone,) but understated glossy lips are also really on-trend for 2015. I love a nude tone that complements my complexion and ensures my pout looks juicy and kissable. Glosses that are one or two shades lighter or darker than your natural lips work best, but tinted balms are also incredibly handy: they take care of your pout while helping it look awesome! I'm loving this Sleek Pout Polish Tinted Lip Balm in 'Bare Minimum' (£4.49) - it hydrates and conditions lips, contains SPF15 and provides just a hint of colour and shine.
Why not pop along to your local Tesco store and see what fabulous makeup products they have to give you a helping hand refreshing your makeup routine this January? The great news is that they stock some of your favourite brands (including Bourjois, L'Oreal, Sleek and Maybelline) as well as exclusives such as the amazing BD Trade Secrets (fab quality at a brilliant price.) You can even order them online and pop them in your basket if you're arranging a home delivery. Updating your makeup bag has never been easier!
What steps will you be taking to update and refresh your makeup routine this Spring?
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Beauty At Tesco. However, all opinions are my own.
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1. Invest In A Lighter Foundation
Although our instant reaction to cold weather is 'give me the heaviest foundation you've got', it's actually much more effective to opt for a lighter base to allow your skin to shine through. Heavier foundations can look cakey and cover the beautiful tone underneath, whereas lightweight alternatives help to uniform tone and cover imperfections without totally eradicating any kind of skin tone. My current favourite foundation is this BD Trade Secrets Vital Skin Long Wear Foundation (£9.99,) which in one pump provides enough coverage to even out any dullness or discolouration without overloading my skin. It doesn't cake, it lasts all day and it even contains SPF20 to protect against sun damage, ensuring healthy looking skin in the long-term.
2. Change Up Your Colour Reportoire
As Christmas approaches we all get out the shimmering eyeshadows, smokey tones and bold red lipsticks to give us that 'party' look. However, come January these colours simply don't work - we need to opt for subtler tones and more understated shades to help our natural beauty shine through. (Less is definitely more!) I love peachy cream blushers, like this Bourjois Cream Blush in shade 02 (£8.00) which helps to add a flush of colour to cheeks without overloading them. Pinks are great, but they can contrast too much against a paler complexion in the colder months; peaches and more delicate tones are a much safer bet while looking incredibly natural. Similarly, opting for nude tones on your eyelids, highlighted and contoured with a touch of brown, is a much more wearable look than heavy blacks or greys - your eyes will look far more awake with a swipe of cream or taupe and lashings of mascara!
3. It's All About Highlighting
You may think highlighters are just for the warmer months, but they're also a great way of adding a touch of warmth to your complexion by reflecting the light in key places. 'Flat' complexions have a tendency to look dull and can actually 'age' us, but a touch of highlighter across the top of cheekbones and along the bridge of the nose will help your skin to ooze health; it's the easy way of making it look like you've come back from a weekend spa retreat. I love the BD Trade Secrets Dream Shine Highlighter (£7.99,) which comes in a little pump-tube to minimise mess or wastage; the formula is extremely lightweight and can be blended into skin with a finger, drying to leave a very subtle shimmer that catches the light beautifully.
3. Ditch The Heavy Khol
If Kate Middleton is reading, this one is for you. Khol may look great around a smokey eye on New Years Eve, but come the new year it looks too heavy and has a tendency to make our eyes look smaller. The contrast between black khol and your otherwise understated complexion is too much, so instead opt for either a delicate line of dark brown shadow (buff into the lashline with a stumpy brush or use your finger to create a delicate smudge) or simple cat flick created with an eyeliner pen, such as Maybelline's Gel Pen. Winged eyeliner is timeless, stylish and instantly ensures your look is complete - there's a reason it's a favourite with bloggers, celebs and makeup artists. These alternatives will ensure the focus is on your beautiful eyes, not your overly contoured eye makeup.
5. Understated Lips Are Awesome
I'm a huge fan of the power lip (come Saturday night it's rare to see me sporting anything other than a bold red or berry tone,) but understated glossy lips are also really on-trend for 2015. I love a nude tone that complements my complexion and ensures my pout looks juicy and kissable. Glosses that are one or two shades lighter or darker than your natural lips work best, but tinted balms are also incredibly handy: they take care of your pout while helping it look awesome! I'm loving this Sleek Pout Polish Tinted Lip Balm in 'Bare Minimum' (£4.49) - it hydrates and conditions lips, contains SPF15 and provides just a hint of colour and shine.
Why not pop along to your local Tesco store and see what fabulous makeup products they have to give you a helping hand refreshing your makeup routine this January? The great news is that they stock some of your favourite brands (including Bourjois, L'Oreal, Sleek and Maybelline) as well as exclusives such as the amazing BD Trade Secrets (fab quality at a brilliant price.) You can even order them online and pop them in your basket if you're arranging a home delivery. Updating your makeup bag has never been easier!
What steps will you be taking to update and refresh your makeup routine this Spring?
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Beauty At Tesco. However, all opinions are my own.
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