TrendLife Beauty

You only have to alight from the London Liverpool Street service to Southend, and onto platform 4 at Brentwood Station, to be met by the aroma of fake- tan, eyelash glue and hairspray; they are it seems, a ubiquitous greeting to visitors. My own stomping ground of King’s Road, Chelsea is laden with boutiques and bars frequented by Sloane Rangers, a far cry from the greasy spoons and launderettes of King’s Road, Brentwood, where the train station lies. I was however, totally unperturbed by my welcome to Brentwood; beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I was certain where this natural beauty was lain; Sugarhut Nightclub.

Indeed, at the centre of a bevy of beauties, was the TOWIE starlet in question, Billie Faiers. Billie’s stunning looks have amassed her a legion of both male and female fans; men want to date her, girls want to be her. Thanks to Billie’s foray into the beauty industry through her partnership with natural cosmetics and skincare expert, Vanessa Blake; us girls really can emulate her striking beauty.

In fitting with the Vanessa Blake ethos, Billie’s Mineral Finishing Powder is completely natural in being paraben-free and rich in minerals and essential oils to boost and protect the complexion. Light to apply and benefitting from a luxurious creamy texture, Billie’s Mineral Finishing Powder offers flawless coverage and gives an air-brushed finish which lasts all day long.  Soft and gentle, it controls shine to create an overtly natural look and has well and truly stolen my heart as a make-up must-have.

Whilst many of the original partnerships in TOWIE have soured, Vanessa Blake and Billie Faiers are a duo that ought to continue their missionary work for an eternity, so that women across the nation can look as gorgeous as Billie through a beauty house whose natural no-nonsense skincare sits against its mineral beauty competitors as a much deserved winner in the field.

£27.99

www.billieslook.com / www.vanessablakecosmetics.co.uk

Who would've thunk it that I would be a consumer of French fashion house extrodinaire, Chanel? Certainly not Mr Bank Manager and certainly not my 'you-are-a-graduate-and-need-to-save-your-money' thinking mother. It won't be until I win the lottery, or receive an anonymous donation that under arm I will be clutching a vintage Chanel of my own and a Chanel wardrobe to rival the stars. Until then, I get my Chanel fix from the distinctly unglamorous beauty counter at House of Fraser Epsom, rather than the glitzy cobbles of Bond Street. In my lavish Chanel carrier? The to-die-for Pro Lumière Professional Finish Make-Up SPF 15. 

Such a die-hard fan of Chanel make-up am I, that the girl on the beauty counter knows me by name. For years, her and I have shared heart-to-hearts. She has seen me progress through high school and university, from an adolescent, to a young woman. We've had laughs, tears and joy over the years. Regrettably, I still do not know her name but to me, she is a guardian angel on Floor 1; supplying me with lotions and potions to take home and work their magic.

Pro Lumière offers a flawless complexion in any light. I feel like a new, empowered woman when it is laden upon my skin. Colour adapting, its density adjusts depend on the desired effect. Highly concentrated with high-tech radiance-emiting ingredients, it is rich in reflecting pigments to leave the skin look flawless. I blend mine in completely, which gives a semi-matte and luminous result, but when less blended, provides a smoothing effect with even skin and tighter pores.

Karl Lagerfield: thank you. I may not be one of your big spenders yet, but one day I will be. For now, I am enjoying your make-up offerings.

Girl at House of Fraser, Epsom beauty counter: Please tell me your name, I'll add you on facebook. P.S - Thank you for giving me a Chanel carrier every time I buy a product, it is useful for carrying lunches and library books. (and also I feel the absolute BIZ when I have one in hand!)

Price: £33.00

www.chanel.com

New to come out of Japan are a range of products known as BB or Blemish Balms.

Erborian BB Crème SPF 25 is a chameleon like 3-in-1 moisturising cream, that camouflages itself to suit your individual skin tone covering all blemishes, uneven pigmentation and dark circles for a mattified, uniform complexion.

It’s a brilliant multi-tasker that cuts down your beauty routine as it acts like a base, foundation, concealer and powder in one.

Price: £34.00

www.zuneta.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