Natalie James

In the week running up to my 30th birthday, I think the Cubs had come to an agreement to make my life as difficult and as testing as they possibly could. They threw day long strops and would alternate hourly meltdowns come nightfall.  So by the time I left for London I looked and felt like I was actually heading off to my fiftieth.  My first port of call was Liberty; Instead of leaving with the lipstick I'd come for, I walked out with a full face of professionally applied make up.  For free.  

I love makeup.  All the beautiful packaging; the promise of a new, better you.  I'm  a marketing man's dream - embarrassingly gullible and desperate to believe that it really will make me look like Kate Moss. 
My problem is the application.  Even though I've had countless lessons and have even worked as a beauty journalist, I can never do it as well as I want to.  So before an event, a night out or just when I'd quite like some me time - I often make a detour to the nearest beauty counter for a transformation.  
I usually head for a Bobbi Brown or Chantecaille stand; so when I was approached by a beautiful, fresh faced girl from Chantecaille- no hint of orange foundation anywhere -  I happily put myself in her hands.   She was so unlike any of the make up artists I've come accross in  previous department store dashes.  After being an account director at MC Saatchi for the last seven years, she- Natalie - decided a change of career was in order and became a make up artist. She was business like, interesting and kind. And incredible at make-up.  She got me and exactly what I wanted in seconds.  There was none of the awful pretending I liked it and having to rub it off afterwards in secret.   
Make-up's never really been of high importance to me - a bit of tinted moisturiser and mascara and I'm ready to go.  Though now I'm getting on a bit, I feel that that and the sleep free nights are beginning to take their toll;  I need to become a bit more high maintenance. My first step is booking myself in with Natalie for a makeup bag analysis/overhaul/lesson.  And then we'll go from there.  Hopefully shopping.

http://www.nataliejamesmakeup.com
http://themakeupdebate.blogspot.co.uk

Lippy Love

Never in a million years did I think I would write a post about a lipstick. Sorry lads but I don't think you'll enjoy this one. I'll try and write something manly tomorrow to make up for it.

So the lovely ladies at Laura Mercier sent me some of their products to try out and in this magic package were three lippies.

I used to be a total lip junkie. Literally couldn't get enough of the stuff. I had glosses, balms, Carmex, more Chapstick flavours than you can even dream of- anything lip orientated- and I'd turn into a mentalist. I think I o-deed though and now have pretty much zero interest in them.

So, I was having a bit of a clear out and found these three little beauties sitting neatly in a row. Contemplating giving them to a friend, I thought it'd be rude not to give them a go at least.

It was like one of those eureka moments - how had I not known about these until now? I mean, I don't really know what to say, apart from the fact that they are a.m.a.z.i.n.g. They are gel lipsticks that look just like a normal lipstick. They look very solid and bright in colour but then they glide on, perfectly, leaving a perfect hint of colour. And, the best bit, there's no chance of stupid smudges or bits on your teeth. Perfect for later on in the night when I feel the need to re-apply every ten minutes. Quite tempted to give them a day time outing too.

Laura Mercier Gel Lipstick

www.lauramercier.com