Kiss and make up

Does anyone follow make-up tips?

For those too young to remember – the baby-blue eyeliner look is a massive hang-over from the 80s – along with dodgy over tonged hair and pastels.  There aren’t many hangers-on these days but they’re still there if you look hard enough.  You know the ones – completely dedicated to the era with no hint of irony or retro.   I really don’t mean to mock though, because I sort of understand how it happens.  You get a look, perhaps in your mid/late 20s – that suits you, perhaps it reminds you of a period in your life and you stick with it.

I keep hold of magazines, especially Vogue copies but I’m not really sure why.  I imagine in the future it would be great to look back on styles and prepare for the next retrospective ‘look’.  In reality though, we don’t copy past trends completely, we just take bits and pieces from an era, mash them up a bit and come out with something fresh.

Back to make-up – I have to admit that other than the odd quick fix new trend lipstick or nail colour, I don’t give my make-up much thought.  Like our 80s hang-over friends, I stick to what I know.

My make-up staples: bit of primer (currently free sample from Clarins – Perfecting Touch, which I like alot); No.7 tinted moisturiser; whatever shade I fancy (normally a light shimmery one) from an Estee Lauder eye-shadow palette; slick of liquid or kohl eye-liner if I’m feeling patient; blush by Mac or Benefit (Hoola or Sugarbomb) and always Maybeline Great Lash mascara. Never without lipstick or gloss and if I’m after a sheen – Benefit or Mac illuminators.

I’ve come across these great sites which show you how to apply make-up and update you on current trends.  If you’re inclined to check out some new colours and techniques, try these:

• Lauren Luke – brilliant make-up tutorials.
• The ‘artists in action’ videos on the Mac cosmetics website includes print outs of step-by-step instructions.
• A recommended beauty blog:  http://www.beautyjunkielondon.com/
  

Lauren Luke is the perfect place to start.

Smoky eyes, not the look for me - dark circles are my nemesis - but gorgeous for those lucky people.

It was acceptable in the 80s.