Liana Beauty Award: Ojon Volume Advanced Volumizing Styling Spray

Getting volume in long, quite thick hair is something I really have trouble with on a daily basis. Especially if I haven't gone through the hassle of blowdrying my hair upside down (a great tip for getting volume!) and applied some volumizing mousse. On a day to day basis, I reach for the finishing products that just add a bit of oomph to my hair, making it look less flat. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray being my favourite, but a pricey one at that. I wrote about it in more detail here, but it's just absolutely incredible at adding volume to flat hair. 

Another alternative is Ojon Volume Advanced Volumizing Styling Spray, which pretty much does the same thing as the Oribe, adds lift and life into my hair, but does give that feeling of having sand in my roots. In terms of application, I create small sections in the roots of my hair, and apply the spray mainly in the roots. Another use is as a finishing spray, which personally I wasn't too keen on as it left my hair a little too crunchy but smelling lovely!

A big bottle will set you back £20 for 200g. I've had mine for a pretty long time and it doesn't seem to be finishing anytime soon! 

Ojon are a brand I'm becoming really familiar with at the moment, I've been trying out some of their other products so I will keep you posted! What are your favourite products for getting some volume in your hair? Have you tried anything from Ojon?

Mascara Mixing

Along with my quest to find the perfect foundation comes with my quest for the perfect mascara, something lengthening volumising and thickening. Unfortunately not one mascara I've tried does all three things to my needs, especially since I hate curling my lashes. The one that has come the closest is the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill, which I talked about in more depth here, but for my lashes it works a dream. That was until one day about a year ago I picked up an empty tube from my stash coated my lashes once and then chucked it away, and then followed to apply L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black over the top. The combination of the two made my lashes look like extensions! It was beautiful! I then decided that this would be my new daily mascara combo.

I continued to experiment layering different mascaras for different effects. Of course, there is always a bit of hit and miss that comes with this, it could go horribly wrong and I have ended up looking like I've got three lashes, but it also has gone really right.

The combinations I tend to lean towards are the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill with the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black and when I need my lashes to be really dramatic, most likely for night time, I'll use the Dior DiorShow Lash Serum and Primer as a base before applying any mascara. (post here)Another little mix is the L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara with the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black or the MaxFactor Masterpiece Max with the YSL Shocking Effect Faux Cils. 

This doesn't happen everyday, just when my lashes need a bit of oomph without the palava of applying false ones!

Have you ever mixed and layered your mascaras?

Recap: VIP Launch Party

We ended our weekend at IMATS LA with a bang by hosting a VIP Launch Party, providing guests with our upcoming Beauty Expert Brow Kit (available July 23)! YouTube's top beauty gurus came from all over the world to attend! Take a peek:

SmokeyPinkLeopard, YummieBitez, ThatsHeart, SaturdayNightsAlrite

DulceCandy87 and macNC40

MissJenFABULOUS, Tiffany's husband, MakeupbyTiffanyD, EleventhGorgeous sisters

Xteeener and FrmHeadtoToe

EleventhGorgeous, SarahBelle93x, Glamourista16, GlassSlipperBeauty

HerrTutorial, Camila's husband, MakeupByCamila, TheDorient, Beauty Peachiii

 MissJenFABULOUS, sparkliebarbieXO, Meghan Rosette, EleventhGorgeous

SayAnythingBr00ke, macNC40, Petrilude, Simone (Sigma owner), xSparkage, Porcelain

 Sigma ladies! -- Tara, Kristina, Tonya, Rasun, Annie, Paige & Shauna

Thanks for a great weekend to all those that came to IMATS as well as our VIP launch party. The planning for IMATS LA 2013 is already in the works (we have even bigger and better things coming your way!) See you in January! 
  
© 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Recap: IMATS Makeover Booth

One of the highlights of our weekend at IMATS was having YouTube gurus MakeupByTiffanyD and MakeupByCamila at our booth giving makeovers to visitors using a variety of popular Sigma products, of course! Check out some of the behind-the-scenes shots:

 
Tiffany with just a few of her many fans!

In action!

 Tiffany and Camila used a variety of best-selling Sigma products on visitors including the Beauty Expert Brow Design Kit (coming July 23), the limited edition Paris Palette, and our always popular eye shadow palettes - Dare, Bare, & Flare.

 Camila and one of the makeover guests!

Camila created a beautiful smokey eye using brushes from the Make Me Cool Kit! 

 We think she likes it! ;)

Stay tuned for our last IMATS recap post we have for you tomorrow featuring our VIP launch party!  

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Beauty On Location: Summertime Party

In natural light makeup looks a lot more obvious, which is why I try and keep it as simple as possible. Shimmer, eyeshadow and heavy eyeliner becomes much more apparent in day light, so when I received and invitation for a summertime party that I knew would be in the evening but with natural light I knew I had to get the balance right! I wanted my skin to appear really natural yet slightly summery, with only a touch of eye makeup. As for my outfit, I ventured out into wearing something that wasn't in the neutral zone! A bright maxi skirt and this was from Zara. The little slit down the side is why I loved it but should not be worn on a windy day! 

It's not available online anymore but was bought really recently so I'm sure you could find it in the sale that's going on at the moment      

Skin

- Started with an old favourite of mine Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer as it's really moisturising. I'de forgotten about it for a while but back in the day I finished around three tubes of the stuff! 

- Using my favourite daytime foundation, Dior DiorSkin Nude Foundation all over my face with By Terry Touche Veloutee under my eyes

- On my cheeks I used a matt blush as natural light picks up shimmer and I wanted my cheeks to look naturally flushed as opposed to glittery, I mixed Mac Peaches with Mac Well Dressed with a matt bronzer, from Sleek contour kit below my cheekbones

Eyes

- Mac Paint Pot in Painterly as a base followed by Burberry Porcelain all over the lid with Almond in the crease and lined my eyes with Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner more on Burberry eyeshadows here

- I wanted my eyelashes to be long and fluttery without using fake ones so slathered on some Dior DiorShow Lash Serum & Primer (link to post here) followed by Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill (link to post here) with a final layer of L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (link to post here) and yes, I did use three different mascaras!

Lips

- Just a light layer of Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Aventure (link to post here)

Do you like this look or prefer deep smokey eyes for parties like my previous post here?

The Contents: 'At Work' Makeup Bag

My student days of only having to ensure makeup lasts a couple of hours seem long gone as I've now ventured out into the 10 hour working days! I've come to the conclusion this week that there is just no way my makeup will last from 8am to sometimes 10pm. It's impossible! While moaning about that this week my friend just said to me 'it's called reapplying' which is exactly what I rush off to the bathroom to do on my lunch break. That's where my 'At work' makeup bag comes in, a little pouch packed with necessities. From powder to hand santitizer here's what's inside...

Carmex Moisture Plus - link to post

The air conditioning in the office can dry out my lips a little so here's a lovely moisturising lip balm with a hint of colour. My shade is pink!

Soap & Glory Hand Maid

A handsanitizer is a must, especially if I'm going on public transport! This one from Soap & Glory smells amazing and doesn't leave hands feeling sticky

By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer - link to post

This is such a great concealer for touch ups as it has an attached brush so keeps everything pretty hygienic. As well as not looking cakey when you're piling on layer after layer throughout the day! 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel 917 Sable Rose - link to post

I've raved about this product a million times since I've bought it but rightly so! It's amazing. Perfect for just slapping on my cheeks for some extra colour and touchups - I think I may need to stock up as it's limited edition!

Becca Mineral Powder  Foundation & Brush

Seeing as I do need to repowder my face throughout the day, especially if I'm going somewhere after work I don't want a powder that will end up looking too cakey. This Becca powder compact does the trick and feels really light on the skin!

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray - link to post 

This has become a staple for me now ever since Trish McEvoy recommended it to me (link to post here) it's fantastic at giving instant volume and an instant boost. Especially on lifeless hair days!

Mini Perfume Bottle

This one is one I received in a beauty box recently, it's by Caudalie. I love sprtizing myself throughout the day with perfume for an instant refresher

Recap: Sigma Booth @ IMATS

We’re back at the Sigma office after a successful trip to IMATS LA! A big thank you to the thousands of beauty enthusiasts who traveled from all over the world to attend -- we were happy to have met so many of you! If you missed us this time, no worries because we’ll be back again in January for the next IMATS LA 2013! Without further ado, check out some of the pictures from the exciting weekend at the Sigma booth:

Our booth contained a variety of product displays! Shown (from left to right): Brow Expert Design Kit (coming July 23!), limited edition Paris Palette, the Extravaganza Complete Kit, BARE, DARE, and FLARE Eye Shadow Palettes. 

Our booth was non-stop busy! The Sigmax brushes were such a hit that we sold out within the first two hours!

    
What would a Sigma booth be without a full stock of Make Me Up Kits?!

We handed out mini press kits to pro makeup artists, top beauty bloggers and industry specialists. Each kit contained our best-selling F80, our summer look book, an E05 eye liner brush and a mini eye shadow.

Paige, Sigma's PR coordinator (who you've seen here) and Annie, the affiliate program manager, took orders and gave the first 3,000 visitors a Sigma gift bag that included our summer look book and the best-selling E05 eye liner brush!

Our marketing coordinator Tonya was very helpful with answering customer's questions and helping them check out quickly.

Visit the blog again tomorrow for an in-depth recap of makeovers done by Tiffany and Camila at the Sigma booth! You can also view more photos from IMATS on our Facebook page!

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

How To: Remove Waterproof Mascara

Taking off eye makeup without rubbing and tugging at eyes and eyelashes is SO hard! It requires a lot of patience (which sometimes when I'm tired I just don't have!) and a really delicate hand so that I don't pull out any lashes or damage my eye area. Whenever I'm wearing waterproof mascara I find it so much harder to remove as the formula is different and much heavier.

To make the whole process a lot easier I coat my lashes in Vaseline and then continue to take off my mascara as usual. Vaseline really aids removing waterproof mascara without having to pull and tug at my lashes. 

Hope this helps!      

Top Beauty Picks From Summer 2012 Collections!

I have a teeny problem when it comes to limited edition makeup, I want it all. I guess it's kind of like having, what my friends call - FOMO (abbreviation for - fear of missing out) but with cosmetics. I know limited edition items sell out pretty quickly and
1. Don't want to be frantically searching round ebay and amazon for sold out limited edition products
2. I'm too scared of missing out on what could be a fantastic item!  
I do end up hoarding a few pieces but after testing the summer collection releases for a while, I've decided on what can be given away to friends and what is staying in my cabinet. Here are my top pics from the summer collections...

 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel in 917 Sable Rose - link to post

This is VERY much loved. Such a great one of taking a big brush and dabbing it on my cheeks as it's a highlighter, blush and bronzer in one! The shades are all really warm and when used together have the ability to brighten up my face in one sweep.

Lily Cole For The Body Shop Puff On Radiance - link to post

With such cute packaging how could I not pick this?! Apart from that it's a fantastic body highlighter - looks lovely down the centre of legs and on collar bones for some elegant shine and shimmer.

Guerlain Pucci Meteorites Perles D'Azur - link to post

Similar to the Body Shop Puffy On Radiance but much less shimmery and adds more of a glow. I've been using this as a face powder for days where my skin is looking a bit bla, it provides instant radiance and makes me appear to have a really bright complexion - love!

Estee Lauder Bronze Sands Eyeshadow Palette - link to post

I absolutely LOVE this palette! Being a different formula to the usual powder, they are described as Gelée Powders and are so pigmented and blend like a dream. Haven't found a use for the blue shade yet but the rest are lovely. Will definitely be looking out for Estee Lauder's other palettes!

Burberry Sheer Summer Glow Palette - link to post

I love the Burberry collections, they are a brand I've really gotten into recently for their love of neutral, very wearable shades, and this Sheer Summer Glow Palette is right up my street! It's the perfect highlighter for adding some life to my face as well as being really understated and subtle - perfect for daytime! 

No7 Nourishing Lip Shine - link to post

I wrote about these here and mentioned them being a great dupe for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, as they are both a really lovely texture, not sticky yet glossy.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 617 Holiday (left)

The perfect summer red!

You can see the rest of the summer collections here. There are my top picks from the summer collections! What are yours?

Currently Loving: Some Inner Eye Shimmer

Recently with these early starts I've devised a 5 minute makeup routine for the early morning where I only do what I feel is necessary, foundation concealer, blush and some mascara. Something really quick and easy is adding a dot of shimmer to my inner tear duct.

It makes the world of difference at brightening up my tired eyes and making me look much more awake. I've been reaching for this one by Pixi, as the little sponge applicator is the perfect tool for being really precise and dotting some in my inner tearduct and blending with my finger.

The shade is really pearly white with tiny flecks of gold shimmer so is a perfect shade for opening up my eyes! The packaging is gorgeous too - it's from the Pixi Glow Collection with Tinkerbell which I wrote about here.

Have you tried anything from the Pixi Glow range?

Pixi Glow Tinker Bell Fairy Dust is £10 and available on ASOS here

New In: No Concealer Concealer

I probably never leave the house without concealer and for the past year or so my most used one for covering for my under eye circles is By Terry Touche Veloutee (link to post here) which you've probably seen as its included in about every single look I do!

Recently since a certain item by Dr Perricone arrived I've been putting the By Terry to one side, that item being Perricone MD's latest release 'No Concealer Concealer'. There's one main reason why no concealer concealer has been my recent number one...

As I'm sure you're aware wrinkles around the eyes are the first signs of ageing (ahhh!!) and what prevents wrinkles better than an SPF?  No Concealer Concealer is my first day time concealer with an SPF 35 to help protect the delicate eye area. However something to remember is having spf 35 means it's not the best for flash photography so definitely one for day time use.

If you've tried Dr Perricone's famous No Foundation Foundation and seen what minumum coverage it gives don't shy away from No Concealer Concealer, its more on the high coverage side of the scale but still manages to look weightless, really natural and brighten the under eye area. As well as not creasing in little lines by the end of a long day.

One massive problem is there's only one shade available that I would imagine suited all the beighey skin tones but not so much for darker tones. 

Best for: a day time concealer for light skin tones that need medium/full natural coverage

What do you think? Have you tried any products from Dr Perricone's range?

Dr Perricone No Concealer Concealer is £37 and available from Perricone MD here and John Lewis

My Makeup: The 16 Hour Day

My student days of lounging around, revising and essay writing are over for summer and it's time for work, and a holiday of course but that's a little later! I absolutely love having a routine, something I know happens on a daily basis and is a regular procedure. Something I can't quite work out is my makeup routine for these long days, I'm applying my makeup half asleep at around 7am and most likely won't be returning home till around 9. Which means around fourteen hours of makeup staying power is needed! 

I honestly don't think there's products out there, or complexion ones at least, that last perfectly for fourteen hours. As I was experimenting around this week dabbling in my different primers, foundations and setting sprays I think I found a pretty good combination. I'll of course keep you updated on my routine in upcoming posts too      

Skin

- I don't have the oiliest of skins, I'm around the combination mark but I do like to apply a mattifying primer. Givenchy Mister Matt being my one of choice followed by my foundation, Chantecaille Just Skin, which I set with a pretty full on powder Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder. (Wow, that is one high end combination but it seems to be working so far! Like I said, I'll keep you updated)

- For concealing my bags I've been using Dr Perricone No Concealer Concealer as it has SPF 35 so is fantastic for day time! More on this later...

- I then go on to apply some cheek colour, which at 7am I'm not so fussy about so I've been slapping on whatever I reach for first, a bright awakening colour like Mac Peaches. 

- I then finish off spraying my face with Urban Decay De Slick Spray to set all the foundation and powder

Eyes

- I only apply a couple of products, mainly because that's all I have time for! Did I mention it's early? Just Mac Paint Pot in Painterly to even out the lid a wash of a neutral eyeshadow and an Avon Supershock Gel Liner in Blackberry which I messily blend out with my fingers. 

- For mascara I've been trying to finish up by L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara which is a lovely day time option as it doesn't budge. 

What are your tricks for getting makeup to last all day?

Budget Buy: TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray

Being someone who regularly uses straighteners, curlers and a hair dryer I'm a definite culprit of damaging my hair by applying a lot of heat. To counteract the damage I cause to my hair I apply a really nourishing hair mask, the Fekkai Advanced Technician Rapid Results Moisture Mask (link to post here) and a lot of hair oil. To prevent the damage before applying the heat I slather on a lot of heat protector - the problem with this is it can make hair very crunchy and uneasy to style especially when applied to dry hair!

In general I prefer heat protector sprays as you can direct the product to a specific area whereas with creams it's harder to distribute it evenly. TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray is fantastic as its really easy to use, lightly mists your hair and the actual spray is so watery it doesn't alter the hair texture so it's easy to use while styling. It ensures protection up to 230 degrees and the packaging ensures its locked so no worries about spilling while travelling.

TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray is £4.69 and available from boots here