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
The other day someone asked me if I was eight years older than I actually am. That, combined with the very unwelcome arrival of far too many - premature in my opinion- wrinkles, has led to a bit of a meltdown. I know that I'm not a spring chicken any more; I will be 30 quite soon and I have two small hooligan boys who insist on me getting no more than 6 hours sleep a night. It's not an obvious recipe for flawless, gorgeous skin. The worrying thing, is that I cant really see it getting any better. I'm not going to do a Benjamin Button and get miraculously younger over night. And I doubt the Cubs have plans on doing more sleeping any time soon. So I've taken action.
First step was a make-up lesson. I had one on my fifteenth birthday and am embarrassed to say I don't think I've learnt any more tricks since. I do now know that frosted lipstick perhaps isn't my best look though. I went in determined not to come home having spent an absolute fortune. It's just so miraculous though. You walk in looking and feeling like a grey, wrinkly old hag, barely unable to look at your reflection and then twenty minutes later - you're completely unrecognisable. I challenge anyone to go in for a makeover and come out empty handed. I did pretty well and managed to escape with only the bare essentials. All Chantecaille - I love a pretty package. And it's French - so clearly works. I got a pot of gel foundation, a magic concealer wand and loose powder. It's taken me a while to get over the fact that I own loose powder - I'm of the belief that powder is for the over 70's only. Sonia -the makeup artist- tells me otherwise. Apparently it's as important as a good foundation. I'm not convinced but am quite enjoying not being shiny for once.
Second step is a brand new Clarisonic Mia. I was very lucky to be sent one as a present as they don't come cheap. It's a face cleaning and buffing contraption that's meant to be twenty times better than bog standard cleansing. My nightly routine takes quite long enough as it is - Chaz is usually out cold by the time I've finished - so I was a little wary that it was just going to add even longer to the proceedings. It's weirdly made things quicker - a quick 60 seconds whizzing it over your face and you're done. And I really do think it's making a difference. Honestly.
It's quite ironic really - I buy all that swanky make up and could now quite happily carry on life without it. It makes me feel quite grown up though which is always nice. And it looks pretty in my bathroom.
Next step, the health spa...
