The best makeup at The 56th Grammys Awards

Last night saw musics biggest night out, with all the stars out to celebrate. For me, the Grammys is the highlight of award season, I am currently trying to find where I can watch the full thing online, highlights are shown on 4music tonight in the UK at 9pm but I want to see it ALL!!

Starting with my favourite artist in the whole of the music industry.. Beyonce or Queen B as I think she should be officially called - Seeing her live in 5 weeks for the 5th time in my life, the excitement is just to much for me to bare - I absolutely LOVE this look - Okay I may be slightly biased - But seriously, I want this lipstick it is gorgeous, and although I love her new short hair, I have to say I prefer it when she has her long beautiful locks. Beyonce you are winning at life!! #nuffsaid

One of my favourite looks of the whole night was on the stunning Rita Ora. Her eye makeup is gorgeous, I literally want to go and copy it right now, the purple tones go beautifully with the blonde hair. The light blush and nude lip makes this an ultimate look. 

Another bold lip statement, Lorde kept the eye makeup simple while letting the lips steal the show. I have been searching for a lipstick just like this, but I am yet to find the perfect one. I am not too keen on Lorde's hair, it looks like it needs a really good cut and a good styling, I just don't think it suits her.. #personalopinion 

Rihanna's face will always look flawless. Again, a bold lip with slight gold and brown tones to contour the eye. I am hoping this is lipstick is from her MAC range, as I also have this lipstick and it would be pretty cool to say you are wearing the same lipstick as Rihanna... I can dream... #GIVEMEHERLIPS

I am normally a go crazy on the eye, or go bold on the lips kinda girl, but the simplistic eyes and lip look beautiful on Katy Perry, she looks very elegant for the occasion. I am also loving her eyebrows, they are so nicely shaped - random - girls who shave their eyebrows off then draw on ridiculously unnatural eyebrows PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!! 

A classic red lip with a feline flick eyeliner, J-Hud never fails to impress,. I love how her lipstick matched her dress. I really want to copy this makeup for myself, it is an easy never fails look.

 Miley Cyrus was looking very natural with barely there makeup, I really like how simply she has kept her hair and makeup, a HUGE different to her hair and makeup at the VMAs... 

Doing this short and sweet review makes me want to go and play makeup all day, but sadly I have A LOT of uni work to attend too... Check back next week as I have some plans for my blog to keep your Monday Blues at bay...

Sam

Couture Beauty S/S 14

I absolutely LOVE the Couture fashion shows, and I am always so excited to see the latest makeup trends. My dream would literally be to work on all the fashions shows around the world, hopefully one day!! Below I have picked out the most popular and talked about looks so far.

Starting with my favourite look, Chanel. The eyes were the main focus at Chanel, with makeup artist Peter Philips, painting a strong winged eyeliner, with glitter lining the bottom lash. I really really love this makeup look, and I think if you are confident enough you could easily pull this off on a night out. #findmetheeyeglitter

Sam McKnight gave all models a hair matching hairband to create this bold statement look.

The skin was kept matte, with a very light powder of blusher then finished with a pale tinted lip balm. 

The models of the Giambattista Valli sported a heavy winged eyeliner, created by makeup artist Val Garland, who kept the skin dewy and lips nude.

Pat McGrath was on hand at the Versace show, giving the eyes a bold look with long lashes, black eyeliner and bronze liner finished with a bold hint of blue int he corners of the eyes. A really nice and simple makeup to create.

Pat McGrath also worked on the Dior show, keeping the skin fresh faced, eyes were very subtly defined, with a near nude brown and highlighted in the inner corners, finished with a classic bold red lip.

Liz Earle Skin Care Review

Carrying on from my previous post, my Liz Earle order arrived in a beautiful package on Saturday, I was not expecting it to arrive so soon as I received free delivery with my order, I thought it would take at least a week. Each item was wrapped perfectly in tissue paper, which was perfect for all of two seconds, my excitement got the better of me and the tissue paper was soon shredded into a million pieces - my bad. I would like to think it was fate that it arrived so promptly as I woke up Saturday morning with awful skin, the stress of my uni deadlines resulted in 4 new spots, I literally went straight upstairs and began using it on my skin, it is now Tuesday and I am nearly spot free, I am now left with little faint red marks. 

So with my order I received a Hot Cloth Cleaner which came with 2 muslin cloths, a Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Skin Repair Moisturiser and a free gift of Gentle Face Exfoliator. They are currently offering all this for £43 plus free delivery until 29th January. 

One thing that I noticed straight away was I could open my eyes while the product was over my eyes, as it is made with all natural ingredients there is no chemicals to hurt your eyes. I applied it in circular motions all over my face and neck, then using the muslin cloth - rinsed with hot water and wring out - I gentle polished off the cream, then finished with splashing cold water on my face to close the pores. Straight away my skin was so smooth and soft, the product smells really nice too which is a great bonas. 

The ingredients in this are: Rosemary, Chamomile, Cocoa Butter and Eucalyptus Essential Oil.

The free gift - It is recommended that this is used straight after the Hot Cloth Cleanser, it also comes with a pump which I usually prefer as I think it can save product, about two pumps were enough to lightly massage onto my face, I concentrated on forehead, nose and chin as these are my main problem areas. After washing off with warm water I definitely noticed how soft my skin was, for a free gift I think this was a great extra, and will definitely be buying it when it runs out.

The ingredients are: Eucalyptus, Cocoa Butter and Fine Jojoba Beads.

I usually use Simple Toner as they are very natural based products but I have never noticed a huge difference, but after looking at the ingrediants of both, the Liz Earle toner has better ingredients which are better for your skin. This toner goes onto your skin very smoothly and again smells really good. 

A lot of people ask me why we need to use toner? What is it really for? Is it just a gimmick used by companies? So if you are wondering the same thing basically your skin has an acid mantle made up of sweat and oil that you naturally produce. After using a cleanser, you often strip away these oils, which can change your skin's pH balance. However, your skin will recreate these oils within a few hours, whether or not you use toner. If you have very oily skin, a toner might help keep shiny skin in check. A little oil is actually a good thing, though: The acids help prevent bacteria build-up.

The Ingredients are: Aloe Vera, Calendula, Cucumber, Rose-Scented Geranium and Natural Sourced Vitamin E.

Lastly the Skin Repair Moisturiser, probably my favourite out of everything, it is extremely light on the skin - I really can't stand a moistuiser that feels heavy and takes forever to soak into your skin - I ordered the combination because even though I have primarily oily skin, during the winter months I get very dry around my nose, so figured this would be best for the next couple of months. 

The ingredients are: Borage and Avocado Oil, Echinacea, Beta-Carotene and Natural Vitamin E.

If you are using a skincare routine and really not noticing a difference I would highly recommend the Liz Earle range, I have never noticed a difference in my skin so quickly, it constantly feels soft and smooth, and my oily skin seems a lot more under control. Any question comment below :)

Thanks for popping by :)

Sam 

21st Birthday Present to meeee :)

So on Sunday it was my 21st birthday, I had a great weekend with friends and family and got spoilt rotten! I got some birthday money which I usually save - Currently trying to save for a trip to New York in 2015 - anyway every year I spend a little bit of my birthday money and use the excuse 'this is my birthday present to me' I mean, you have to buy yourself a gift right? Something I have wanted for a long time was some good, natural skin care, I have noticed a lot of the products Boots sell have chemically things in their ingredients and I just don't like the thought of putting that on my face, also I have never come across a product that has really made a different to my skin. So after a little researching I popped over to Liz Earle website, Liz Earle skin care products have such a good reputation and they have natural ingrediants which are good for your skin..
"At Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare we always try to use high quality, safe, naturally active ingredients"
For January only they are currently offering:
Cleanse & Polish 200ml tube + 2 pure muslin cloths
Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml bottle
Skin Repair Moisturiser - Normal/combination 50ml jar  (Your choice of moisturiser, I choose combination - Oily forehead, dry nose #sadface)
Plus Complimentary Gentle Face Exfoliator 70ml
All for £43 PLUS Free Delivery!! 

I am currently waiting for my delivery, Within the next month I will post a full review on all the products, so keep checking back :)   

See you soon 

Sam 

All Gold Everything...

The latest Spring/Summer 2014 makeup trends are fresh of the runway, and I am absolutely loving the gold! From gold eyebrows to gold accessories, it is all about the gold.

DIOR- Gold was the colour at Dior, all models were sporting gold metallic eyebrows - which I adore, although I am not sure I could pull off - Some models also had the colour underneath their eyes and on the lid, accompanied by a pastel liner. The makeup trends at Dior are by far my favourite.

CHANEL - Flashes of colour all around the eyes,with a strong black brow, also sporting the strong bob making this look a bold statement.

STELLA McCARTNEY- The classic Kohl lined eyes with a feline flick, with a low ponytail. Simple yet elegant.

GIVENCHY- WOAHHH!! Sequin masks, sparkling bold red lips and mesh over the eyes. This is what I like to see on fashion runways, I like crazy! LOVE!!

ROCHAS- Lilac eye shadow applied all over the eye, giving the eye a eerie look, and almost a deep set appearance. This was finished with textured up do hair styles. 

DRIES VAN NOTEN- Gold thread was attached to the ends of the eye lashes - genius - with a light application of gold eye shadow. Hair was given a low side parting with one stripe of gold leaf along the parting. 

ANTHONY VACCARELLO- Eyes are highlighted with a graphic, square print in black eyeliner. The skin looks smooth and matte. Hair was kept simple and off the face to highlight the eyes. 

DOLCE & GABBANA- Models given a dewy glow, soft pink lips, eyes were given a a wash of gold shadow. The hair was kept up and elegant sported with gold accessories such as coins, jewels and green leaves.