Musings and ramblings of a Jewish Fashionista

Musings and ramblings of a fashion and beauty obsessed mama. A fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog.


Saturday 18 May 2013

A New Mum's Beauty Essentials





As a brand new mama to a gorgeous baby boy, I didn't realise that I would have practically NO time to do my make-up, especially when it's just me and him in the house. When a little man demands your attention constantly and always wants cuddles, it's very difficult to find 5 minutes (let alone my usual half an hour) to make yourself look presentable.

I know to a lot of new mums, putting on some make-up after 2 hours sleep and a loooooong day ahead may seem pointless and a waste of valuable resting time (you are meant to sleep when the baby sleeps...yeh right, when there is a million jobs to do) but I promised myself that when my baby came, I would not lose who I am, and I am someone who loves wearing make up and (attempting) to make myself look somewhat presentable.

Now I am not talking about putting on a smoky eye, a layer of foundation, a full on red lip and cheek highlighter, I am talking about the bare minimum of product to help you look more awake and gorgeous...with minimum application time. Now that Elijah has a nap in the morning, I know I have maybe an hour to myself to run around the house doing all those annoying odd jobs, brush my teeth, my hair, get dressed and put on enough make up to make me look (and feel) like my old self.

So with that being said, here are my new mum beauty and make up essentials.

Primer

A good primer will hold your make up in place for a whole day, will create a flawless base and help create a smooth overall look. I personally am loving Benefit's Porefessional at the moment. It is slightly pricey (£23) and you don't get a huge amount of product, but you don't need a lot. Squeeze a pea size amount onto (clean) fingers and smooth over your whole face (I even put some on my eyelids). This primer smooths over pores and makes them appear smaller.



BB Cream

I am not a fan of foundation. I've never used it. I get why it is such a beauty essential but I have just never been a fan of how it makes me look - it could be because I have such pale skin and such dark features, it can make me look slightly, un-me! Anyway, I used to use tinted moisturiser, but over the last few months I have been obsessed with BB Cream. In particular Garnier's BB Cream in medium. This light weight cream feels just like a moisturiser but covers flaws and evens skin tone without making it look like your wearing any make up at all. It's perfect for masking a tired mum's skin while giving you a touch of colour (plus it contains an SPF - bonus!)



Concealer

To cover up those bags under the eyes, blemishes from hormonal break outs or any red patches, a concealer is any girl's best friend. Quickly whip it out an apply for immediate skin perfection. I've been using Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer recently, which also has an SPF and is slimline and easy to apply with a sponge application at the end of a wand. Perfect for popping into your (changing) bag for quick touch ups.



Under Eye Roll On

Another essential I can't live without at the moment. I use the Garnier Roll-On for dark circles. This little miracle worker isn't a new product, but it is a must-have for all new mums out there. With a little roller ball, you roll the product under your eye and it leaves a cooling concealer, which contains caffeine to help reduce bags, while covering them up. I apply it a few times a day!!



Cream Eyeshadow

Perhaps not an essential for everyone, but I prefer wearing a touch of colour on my eyes (to detract from the tiredness of them!). If you are going to make an eyeshadow one of your must-haves, make it a really decent cream one. The reason to go for a cream shadow is because the decent ones last all day, while providing a gorgeous pop of colour. I recommend Maybelline's 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in Immortal Charcoal (perfect for creating a smoky eye in seconds) and Benefit's Birthday Suit - a pretty neutral, which would suit any skin tone. I also recommend cream shadows because you can apply them quickly and evenly with your fingers, perfect if you only have a couple of minutes to do your make up!




Mascara

If you only have a couple of minutes to apply a dash of make up, make sure that mascara is included in your routine. There is no better product to make you look more awake, feminine and gorgeous. Mascara opens your eyes up and, when applied to the top and bottom lashes, creates a more lasting and gorgeous look, and makes your eyes look bigger and brighter. I recommend a volumising mascara, which thickens, lengthens and adds volume. I've been using Maybelline's The Rocket in black. You only need a few strokes to create thicker and longer looking lashes, and the brush makes it easy for applying to the bottom lashes too.



Moisturiser

A must have for everyone, not just new mums! A new mum's skin can be particularly prone to dehydration, especially if you are breastfeeding too. It's so important to keep your skin moisturised to keep it looking and feeling healthy and well nourished. Don't scrimp on a good moisturiser. It's important to get one, which works for your skin type and also feeds it with what it needs. I've been using since the new year Tropic Skin Revive. Easy to slip into your bag, this comes with a pump for easy application, and is so packed full of gorgeous nutrients, you only need a small amount to give you maximum benefit. I apply in the morning and evening and it really does give you a pretty glow and a more refreshed looking face. I've even convinced my sister-in-law and fellow new mum Michelle to give this a whirl, and she loves it!



Dry Shampoo

I used to wash my hair and style it every other day. Now I am lucky if I can wash it twice a week! Luckily, I've had my hair cut shorter so it's easier to style with minimum effort, but if I am going out and simply haven't had the time to wash, then dry shampoo to the rescue! I am usually a Batiste gal, but recently I have been using Tresemme's Instant Refresh dry shampoo, which removes oil and boosts volume. It really does do what it says on the tin. It's worth picking one of these up and giving your hair a spray to make it look instantly better.



Quick Drying Nail Polish

I am a nail polish addict and I wasn't going to let that obsession go when Elijah came along. What I discovered was that if I wanted to do my nails before my hubby got home (when I can pass the little man over) was that I needed a quick dry polish. Although not technically a quick dry polish, a matte finish varnish dries super quickly (normally in a few minutes) and allows you to get a gorgeous look...fast! I love Models Own Hedonist from their Hed Kandi collection - a bright neon coral, this colour is perfect for adding a pop of colour to your look. If you want a glossy finish, apply a top coat when you have the time!



So those are my new mum beauty essentials. I hope this helps any new mums out there, who might be feeling like they don't have the time to make themselves look and feel a bit like their old selves! x



Friday 10 May 2013

Smell My Nails!

L to R: Strawberry Tart, Apple Pie, Banana Split, Blueberry Muffin, Grape Juice
Well I never. Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a product, which takes you be surprise. 

One of my favourite beauty brands, Models Own, have created a brand new nail polish concept - scented varnishes! The collection is called Fruit Pastels. Remember those stickers, which, when you scratched them, they released a scent? Well, essentially that is the idea. There are 5 different colours - all pretty, feminine pastel shades (just like the collection name suggests) just perfect for summer. Soft lilac, blue, mint green, lemon and pink. All very cute. I love the names -

Before you buy, you can scratch and sniff each polish, which are named after yummy treats - Strawberry Tart, Apple Pie, Grape Juice, Blueberry Muffin and Banana Split...yum! I picked up Apple Pie - a gorgeous pale mint green and Banana Split, a soft yellow. I scratched the lid, as it suggests and low and behold I got a whiff of apple and banana.

When you apply the polish, instead of the acrid scent you usually get with nail varnish, you instead are treated to the smell of apples, bananas, strawberry, grape or blueberry...or snozeberries...I'm kidding...there's no such thing as a snozeberry ;o)

Anyway, the novelty of the scent aside, the colours are just gorgeous, right up my street. I think I'll be heading back to pick up the other three colours very soon - especially as Boots are doing buy one get one half price. Bargain!

What do you think of these scented polishes? Something you'd try? Enjoy x

Banana Split and Apple Pie


Apple Pie



Scratch and Sniff!




Wednesday 8 May 2013

Flower Power!

I have a new obsession!

With summer in the air, I have a sudden desire for pretty, feminine clothes - floaty dresses, pastel colours, ditsy prints and girly accessories.

Last year I bought myself a couple of floral headbands, to make my summer looks slightly more personal and free spirited. I got quite a few odd looks, but the trend suddenly spread like wild fire, and now, not only are simple floral headbands firmly in style, but massive floral crowns are rocking the high street.

Some of my favourite bloggers have embraced the trend and rock the gorgeous floral crown in many an outfit post.

What is a floral crown I hear you ask? Think a simple headband - either elastic or alice band - adorned with lots of large fabric flowers, clustered together to create a "crown" look. For me, the bigger the flower, the better! I don't really do subtle when it comes to accessories.

I've tracked down three websites, which I believe do the best examples of floral crowns. These are Crown and Glory, Rock N Rose and Dolly Bow Bow. The crowns range from about £15 to £42. They are perfect for glamming up a simple summer outfit, or as a finishing touch to a super stylish wedding outfit.

Here are a few of my favourite styles. What do you think of the floral crown trend? Will you be rocking one this summer? Enjoy x
£20 from Crown and Glory
£20 Crown and Glory
£20 Crown and Glory

£15 from Dolly Bow Bow

£15 from Dolly Bow Bow



£20 Crown and Glory




Friday 3 May 2013

Sunset Nails

Sunset Inspired Nails

How amazing is the weather at the moment? Winter has finally left the building and it now truly feels as if summer is on its way at long last. I know I always harp on about how much I prefer autumn and winter fashion to spring and summer, but even I am craving the warmth and sunshine now.

Inspired by the gorgeous sunset I saw the other night, I fancied doing something a bit different with my nail polish choice for the weekend. Sunset ombre effect nails! I went through my varnish collection and selected 5 colours, which could replicate a pretty British sunset. I decided to go for the warmer tones of a sunset - yellows, pinks and corals as opposed to the more tropical pinks, purples and blues.

I've decided to use a different brand for each nail, and have chosen a Barry M, Essie, Fearne Cotton, Bourjois and Mavala. Here are my colours:


Barry M Textured Effect in Station Road

Bourjois No Chips in Number 4502

Fearne in Coral

Mavala in Beirut

Essie in Tart Deco

Then I just applied the colours as they would appear chronologically during sunset - the bright yellow of the sun, fading into a soft orange, into a pinky coral, into a darker coral and finally a deeper red. I think the effect is really pretty and I might try out a tropical sunset theme next week, using my beloved lilacs, purples and pinks.




What do you think of the final look? Is it something you would try? Enjoy x

Thursday 2 May 2013

Beyonce's "Live For Now!"


No I didn't manage to get tickets to Beyonce's "Mrs Carter" tour. After days of attempting to get tickets via every avenue possible, I had to finally give up my mission. It seems getting tickets to her gig was like the quest for the Holy Grail! Waaaaaaaah!!

So, to cheer me up a bit, I wanted to do a teeny post about my queen and her amazing new advert for Pepsi. Entitled "Live For Now," this fab advert showcases Bey choreographing a brand new dance routine in a room of mirrors. She isn't dancing alone though, as in each mirror is Beyonce from one of her past videos, rocking the iconic dance routines from each, and essentially, Beyonce battles herself in one epic dance off!

We see her doing the dances from the likes of Bootylicious, Single Ladies, Crazy In Love, Girls and many more. Cue a lot of costumes, slick moves and a lotta attitude!

One things for sure, this one minute advert will make you want to get up and shake your booty...as well as having a Pepsi...or maybe a Diet Coke will still win it with most of us :)

So here is the advert in its full glory. What do you think of it? Are you a fan? Enjoy x



Wednesday 1 May 2013

Kristen Stewart Named World's Best Dressed Woman...WTF?!

So here's a headline I thought could never come into existence...Kristen Stewart, the moody, sullen gal who has bagged one of the world's most gorgeous men, has been named "World's Best Dressed Woman" in a recent poll by Glamour magazine...queue very confused and shocked face!

The girl who never smiles beat beauties such as our very own Princess Kate, Emma Watson, Emma Stone and Taylor Swift, all of whom made the top 5. The magazine stated that she tops the list due to her "personal rock chick style." Please! Lily Allen was rocking trainers and dresses years ago!

I really don't get this. The girl doesn't even  dress herself for the red carpet...a team of stylists does! If you want to see her real style, check out her pap pics...really not very impressive. Kind of dirty looking and very Avril Lavigne in her popular days...yawn! Cue the likes of Kate Middleton, Emma Stone and Alexa Chung though on their non red carpet days and you see a very different definition of personal style, that is both individual, trendy and uniquely stylish.

To further prove my point, here are a few pics of Miss Stewart...Best Dressed? Let's see shall we?













Need I say anymore?!