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My essential makeup products for a prettier you everyday!

~ fiolastyle ~ 1 Comment

DSC_5833IMG_0039.JPG These 8 super products are all you really need to look naturally gorgeous and ready for anything!

1. YSL Touche Éclat in 2.5

2. Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover

3. Nude by Nature Mineral Finishing Veil

4. L’Oreal Le Blush in Sandalwood Pink

5. NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in sunbeam

6. Chanel Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in 10

7. Dior Diorshow Mascara in black

8. YSL  Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in 06

For Tips on how I apply all these products to get the best, most natural results, please see my previous blog post  ‘Maximise you’re face. My makeup tips for a prettier you in 5 easy steps’

Lastly, please remember that these are the products that I personally choose to use, and they are products that suit my skin tone which is fair to medium, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. If you have different colouring to me, you may need to adjust the colours I use to suit your skin tone. Also, always patch test a new product on your skin, to check for allergies, just to be safe. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and would love to hear any feedback you have. 

Yours Truly,

Fiola 

xoxo

Maximise your face. My simple makeup tips for a prettier you in 5 easy steps!

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Photos: Wearing my 5 step makeup look.

Today I’ve decided to write about the beauty tips and tricks I have learn’t and developed on myself over the years. For me it’s about preserving what God gave me, and making the most of it! I definitely favour a natural look. I feel my best this way, and I’ve often disliked the way I’ve looked with dramatic or overdone makeup that I’ve worn for photo shoots or events. I think actually that too much makeup can be ageing, and unattractive even, so I quickly realised Mum was right when she said there was no need to “gild the lily” .

For this reason I have  mastered (I hope) the natural but still polished look that I always go to. I guess it’s what you’d call my go to look! For all of you ladies out there who don’t have heaps of time to spend getting ready in the morning (or ever) but still want to look presentable, fresh and pretty, read on!!

So this is it, my simple rules for a pretty visage!

It goes without saying that having good skin to begin with is key, and although this post is more about the makeup than the skin care regime, it is very important to make sure skin is clean, exfoliated and moisturised (including high SPF!!) before beginning to apply any type of makeup. That said, let’s talk makeup!

I personally am a fan of a more velvety matt finish than a really dewy one. I think it looks better. More polished. I also don’t like to be able to feel my makeup sitting on my skin, which is why this routine is so great, it really feels like your’e wearing no makeup at all! So here we go, are you ready? Just 5 easy steps…

1. The base I use changes from time to time, as I do get bored, and like to change it up, but currently, and I keep coming back to it is Nude by Nature’s Natural Mineral Cover. I use the colour ‘medium’ which I love, as it add’s just a hint of tan to my face, but depending on your skin tone, there are enough shades to find one for you. I apply it all over my face, even my eyelids (make sure your face is not sticky from moisturising when you apply or it won’t work well, and will look blotchy and horrible) with a big kabuki brush in big circular motions, until I have the desired coverage. NB: If I think I need extra cover for blemishes or dark circles I use YSL Touche Eclat in number 2.5 lightly under the Mineral Cover Powder.

I love that I can apply as little or as much as I need of the Mineral Cover powder. I don’t use much usually, as I like my natural skin to show through, but for more coverage, just build up the product gradually to the desired effect.

2. The blush I use is currently L’Oreal’s Le Blush in sandalwood pink. A soft pinky nude powder blush, it’s really pretty on any complexion. Smile and apply to the apples of your cheeks with an angled blush brush, and sweep up to your hairline at the highest point of your cheekbone. Repeat until you have achieved desired effect. I then apply a thin layer all over my face of Nude By Nature’s Mineral Finishing Veil with the Kabuki brush in light circular motions. (This step is optional, and I don’t always do it, but it helps to ‘set’ the base)

3. Eyes. I Simply fill in my brows with Chanel’s Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in number 10, just to make my eyebrows nice and defined, and if I want to I add mascara. I love Dior’s Diorshow mascara in black or Maybelline’s Full ‘n’ Soft mascara in very black. The two best mascara’s I’ve ever used.

4. Highlighting. I use a golden/pinky highlighter, as I think it’s the most flattering colour, currently I’m trying NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator in 01 Sunbeam and I simply pat it on with my fingers on my brow bone, just under my outer eyebrow, the inner corners of my eyes, across my eyelid just along the lash line and then on the top of my cheekbone where the light hits. Don’t use a lot, and blend it well. You want the effect to look natural.

5. Lips. For my lips, surprise, surprise I like a natural look! This means a pinky nude lipstick or gloss. My current favourite is my perfectly creamy pink/nude lipstick by YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 06. Apply quite liberally, but carefully, and Voilà! You’re now ready!

So there you have it! So easy, so pretty in less than 10 minutes! Please try it out for yourself and let me know how you like it! If you have any questions, ask me! I’ll be happy to answer you.

Your’s Truly

Fiola xoxo

My top 10 simple and effective health and beauty secrets revealed!

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1. Drink water! Yes, it works better than any other single thing you can do! 2 – 3 litres a day is perfect. As soon as you wake up drink 1 – 2 glasses of water to start your day. You’ll quickly (within a couple of days for me) notice the health and beauty effects. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for added health and beauty benefits.

2. Sleep. So Important. Try to get at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night, and yes, the hours before midnight count! Make sure your room in cool and dark.

3. Exercise regularly (at least 4 times a week). Walk, run, practice yoga, hit the gym, swim, whatever you like doing, just get your blood flowing. The health and beauty benefits are endless! (toned body, glowing skin, better moods etc)

4. Eat healthy, fresh and preferably organic foods everyday. Load up on raw and fresh fruit and vegetables in every meal. Avoid processed food. Notice clearer skin and mind and overall improved health.

5. Sun protection! I wear high factor spf sunscreen EVERY day, no matter what the day holds. It’s just a standard part of my morning routine. It helps prevents premature ageing and skin cancer. Just do it.

6. Invest in the best quality skin care products that you can afford. Find a routine that works for you. I recommend cleansing, toning and moisturising twice daily (including sunscreen in the morning) and trying to use products that are as natural and high quality as possible. Learn to relax, take a soothing bath, get a massage, have a facial. Whatever it is remember to take time out to pamper yourself.

7. Avoid alcohol. Sorry, it’s not what most people want to hear, but if you are serious about your health and beauty,  keep away from it. I drink alcohol on special occasions, but in general I keep drinking it to a minimum.

8. Learn to love tea! Green tea, rooibos, white, black, herbal. It’s all good, and full of antioxidants. Find one you love, and make it a daily ritual. The added bonus is a reason to invest in pretty porcelain tea sets! (Just remember that most tea contains caffeine, so use moderately, and consult with your health care professional if you don’t normally have caffeine)

9. Don’t ‘overdo’ your makeup and hair. Natural looking is always best in my opinion. (I didn’t say don’t wear makeup or dye your hair, I just said keep it looking natural!)

10. Be positive, focus on what is good in your life. Work on the negatives. Always try to be kind and thoughtful. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Remember your manners. Good manners go a long way, and always get noticed!

I hope you learned something from my simple tips, these pieces of advice are purely from my experience of what works for me, and although I can’t imagine any of it could be harmful to a person in good health, please always check with your health care practitioner before embarking on any different or new health/diet or exercise routine to make sure it is safe for you.

xoxo

Fiola

Pastel Perfection. How to wear pastels like a pro

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Hi, welcome to my first blog post! I’m so excited to start sharing with you all the things that I love.  It was hard to know where to begin!

I thought I would start by sharing with you one of my forever obsessions…pastels. I love to wear them, and feature them in my home. They give a soft and sophisticated vibe, that is very feminine and classic as well. My lifetime love affair with pastels has really become one of my style traits. A trademark of sorts. My go to. Being so drawn to these shades may have something to do with my star sign being Libra but more on that another time!

Pastels, people either seem to love them or hate them, often I believe wrongly thinking that they can’t wear them. Truth is, pastels are universally flattering. Sure, not all pastel shades will look good on everyone, but everyone can find at least one or two pastel shades to compliment their skin tone, hair colour and style. Remember, pastels cover a wide array of colours : pink, blue, mauve, green and yellow and shades in between. So many choices.

Right now pretty sorbet shades  are very much ‘in’ and are everywhere, but I have always felt and will always feel very partial to pastels regardless of their seasonal popularity. I love mixing them up with white or greys and black. I wear them in all seasons, they make me feel like, well, me! My absolute favourite pastel shade is pink. I adore this colour. It’s well known by all those that know me!  People frequently say that pastels suits me, and I agree, yes, they do! However, I sincerely believe that anyone can look great in pastel shades. Yes, anyone! The trick is not to overdo it. Balance is key, feature a couple of pastel items in your look, for example a pastel pink midi skirt and pink soft leather bag, with a fresh white top and grey or black accessories. Or, if your a little dubious, even start off with a feature pastel accessory instead, such as a pair of pink pastel pumps!

Of course, the last few seasons have featured an abundance of icy and delicate shades of pink, blue, green, yellow and mauve , so as you can imagine I have been seeing so much in stores and online that I love, so many pretty pastel items that I want!

I have a golden rule though, only buy things you truly love. If it’s love, it’s love! Just make sure it’s something beautiful and well made that will stand the test of time.

My wardrobe mantra is always quality over quantity.

So, go ahead, if you haven’t already, dip your toe into the world of pastels!  You’ll thank me later!

xoxo

Fiola