TrendLife Beauty

If you’re looking for an instant update to your look then bright lipstick is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to do this.

Personally I’d never worn lipstick up until a year ago, I'd always been too nervous, but now after starting with a traditional pillar box red I’m becoming braver with my choices.

My latest find is Topshop’s pink lipstick – Brighton Rock – a gorgeous modern bright pink that, pared with minimal make-up, is perfect for recreating the make-up look seen on the models at Jil Sander for SS 11.

Topshop Brighton Rock Lipstick - £8

Available from www.topshop.com

I recently discovered a great brand of foundation, Myface Mymix Foundation. I’m not a big foundation user and tend to stick to tinted moisturiser, however sometimes you need a bit more coverage than these can provide.

However after trying this foundation I could definitely be converted. It turns out that the Myface Mymix Foundation is a favourite amongst make-up artists and come highly recommended for their excellent skin tone friendly colour range that has been professionally mixed and matched by experts according to skin tone.

Available as light, medium and dark with three varying shades within each category. After trying a few shades I found that my colour was Light Number 3 but perhaps in the summer with a bit of a tan I'll need Medium Number 1.

What I loved most of all about this foundation was its lightweight quality and how well it blended in without any streaking. This foundation also has an ultra-appealing price of just £12.99.

Available from www.myfacecosmetics.co.uk or large Boots stores and online www.boots.com

At this time year, there is an abundance of glamour and glitz with many awards ceremonies. With the Oscars on Sunday night, I've looked back at the red carpet beauty looks so far and one of my favourites this year was January Jones at the Golden Globes.

With such a show stopping bright red Versace dress, January Jones went for an old school glamour combo of red pout, strong brows and rolling wave. Nothing spells old school glamour more than a classic red lip and Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Excess or classic Revlon Fire and Ice are perfect for re-creating the look.

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Excess - £23.00 - available from Selfridges

Revlon Fire and Ice - £7.29 - available from Boots

While we’re struggling to imagine how it will ever be warm enough to don our strappy sandals and summer shorts, the designers are already unveiling Autumn/Winter 20011-2012 in New York.

And as it turns out one of the biggest hair trends to emerge on the catwalk was the simple ponytail. Hair stylists showed the versatility with high and tight, relaxed or dishevelled ponytails.

Finally a hairstyle that us mere mortals can achieve! To create the look, ponytails will hold far better on day-old hair, but for the same effect use dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo or a texturising spray like L’oreal Texture Tonic to help bond the strands together and prevent slipping. Then simply choose your style and secure with a hair elastic.

Techni Art Play Ball Texture Tonic Texture Spray - £11.75

Batiste Dry Shampoo - £2.35

For those who suffer from open pores and less than perfect skin, Benefit is here to help with their new Porefessional.

I love Benefit products as behind all the pretty fun packaging, their products really do work. The latest Porefessional is a silky, lightweight balm that promises to quickly minimise the appearance of pores.

It’s oil-free so can be used even if you suffer from oily skin and can be applied under your foundation. However best of all, it can be used during the day if any touch-ups are needed.  

Price: £23.50

Available from Benefit www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

The retro inspired Soap and Glory range, with it’s pretty pink packaging and fun slogans is perfect for adding some girly glamour to your bathroom shelves.

I recently tried ‘The Fab Pore 15 Minute Facial Peel, an intensive action pore refining treatment that is powered by their exclusive PORESHRINK-R COMPLEX. It’s perfect for greasy or spot-prone skin and delivers a deep clean.

Simply massage a dollop into your skin concentrating on your t-zone and then leave on for either five or fifteen minutes, depending on how congested your skin is.

My skin was noticeably clearer and smoother and my pores were much less visible. A great affordable beauty buy and I’ll definitely be looking to try some more from the range.

Price: £7.15

Available at Boots www.boots.com

The MAC Wonder Woman Colour Collection is the latest offering for Spring 2011.

This heroic collection features our favourite comic book hero, Wonder Woman, with the classic WW insignia and comic book illustration on the packaging.

It features eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks, glosses, eye liners and nail polishes in fantastic superhero names like Defiance, Bold Babe, Lady Justice and Star Studded.

Prices start from £10 for Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

Visit MAC online or any MAC shop

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

The new Topshop make-up range for S/S 11 launches this week.  The Topshop make-up range is affordable and has a brilliant selection of pigments. The newest additions for SS11 is their CORE collection - considered a range of essentials for every beauty junkies' make-up bag and the second, a Limited Edition Capsule Collection entitled Sandstorm.

Topshop says its been heavily influenced by the 'Burning Man' festival in the Nevada desert and you can see this in the coppery metallic hues and bright corals, reminiscent of a glowing sunset.  With online make-up tutorials, this tribal warrior look with dramatic statement eyes is perfect for recreating the festival season. The range includes eye shadows, nail polishes, lipgloss sticks as well as a semi-permanent eye liner.

Prices start £5 for nail polish

Shop the range and view make-up tututorials at www.topshop.com

During the winter months my sensitive skin suffers terribly from redness and dryness, as most peoples does as it battles with the elements.

I love Aveda products and often use their hair products as they don’t contain any chemicals and they smell lovely. Aveda has launched a brand new skincare range specially designed for sensitive skin, the All Sensitive Cleanser and the All Sensitive Moisturiser.

They are both rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and E, calming chamomile, witch hazel and lavender, which all works together to restore your dry skin.

All Sensitive Cleanser £16.50

All Sensitive Moisturiser £33.50

Now available from www.aveda.co.uk or at Aveda salons

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with your make-up look and try a bit of bright colour as showcased on the S/S catwalks.

For a wearable take on the trend, sweep the colour across the eye socket or as close to the lash line as possible, as seen at Dior and Derek Lam. Max Factor’s Max Effect Dip In Eye Shadows are perfect for recreating this look as it gives your eyes a shot of intense, vibrant colour.

They come in eight bold, modern colours ranging from green and purple to blue and pink. This is a look I’ll definitely be trying this summer.

Price: £5.99 each

Available from Boots www.boots.com