1920/30s inspired look taken nearly four years ago

Secret Santa gifts

                                      Secret Santa Gifts.

Secret Santa can be quite a challenging time. You have been given a budget. You barely know the person you have to buy for from work! Sometimes you spend more time looking for a secret Santa gift with your budget than your nearest and dearest! Here are a few small ideas to hopefully give you a little inspiration for the dreaded Secret Santa gift,also for extra little Christmas treats hanging from the Christmas tree,Stocking fillers and don't forget Host of the Dinner party gift.....

Eve Lom Kiss Mix balm for your lips to keep them beautifully moisturised. £16

This Works all natural Shimmer Balm £12

Gorgeously  hydrating bath and shower oil that smell just Devine. Three baths or showers from this little bottle of delight. £10

Caudalie hand cream trio £12s

CAUDALIE  TRIO HANDCREAM SET 

What a lovely and value for money hand cream gift set from French skincare company Caudalie. Using mainly natural ingredients in there products. You get three 30ml tubes, each with a different scent and beautifully packaged for £12s. Great size to pop in your bag, car and kitchen cupboard!! Keep your hands beautifully soft. I know my hands get particularly dry in the winter months..

Make up Scotland photographer Paul Barclay

Dec 7th Party Eyes Workshop

I'm Leading a 'Party Eyes workshop on Sat 7th Dec 10-12 at The Embankment Hotel £15s includes refreshment and fabulous makeup by Kevyn Aucoin, Laura Mercier, Mac,Nars to name but a few. Learn tips and techniques on how to achieve gorgeous Party Eyes in a friendly setting. Two spaces left. Pm or Email me at Alison.kynoch@btinternet.com

Nars Promiscuous Lip Pencil Coffret for Christmas

NARS PROMISCUOUS LIP PENCIL COFFRET FOR CHRISTMAS

This limited addition set is a nod from Francois Nars to the cinematic realm of lust and glamour.

You will find five of Nars best selling shades in their Lipstick pencil range housed in a satin and patent bright lip smacking blue embellished pouch. So stylish I wouldn't want to hide it in my bag. I would want to use it as a mini clutch on a evening out. Great price at £30s. Exclusive to Space NK and selling fast.....

Mini velvet mattes

Cruella

Sex Machine

Never say Never

(iconic) Dolce Vita

Mini Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

New Lover

Makeup: A touch of luxury Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope

Makeup: A touch of luxury Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope: A touch of luxury this Christmas Lipstick Queens Velvet Rope Collection. I wrote a post back in September when I first tried Entourage an ...

A touch of luxury Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope

A touch of luxury this Christmas Lipstick Queens Velvet Rope Collection.

I wrote a post back in September when I first tried Entourage an intense dark Berry shade,one of the five shades in this fantastic collection. Since then I have tried Black Tie a Perfect Red which is great for this time of year. For a perfect nude shade try Star System.
The formula is amazing with a luxurious rich intense pigment yet light weight and glides on with effortless ease. You get the Drama of  intense colour without compromising on comfort and moisture.
Vitamin e and Apricot oil ensure lips remain supple and moisturised and a peppermint oil adds a clean and subtle scent. This lipstick is long lasting making it tick all the boxes and one of my favorites. Wearing an intense shade you need a lipstick that is going to stay looking clean, fresh and longwearing. Incased in an elegant gold metal lipstick case with a magnetic base so lid and base stay firmly in place. Very chic and design is reminiscent of 30s glamour and elegance. Making this a truly desirable Christmas gift. Pricey at £35s but I have to say as far as I'm concerned worth it.  The Velvet Rope range is now one of my favourite lipsticks. If you would like to try for yourself then go to a stockist and try one on. Space NK 

Christmas Stilla Sets

Now that Christmas is just around the corner......eek!  It is a great time to take advantage of some amazing offers for Presents or for yourself. STILA have some fantastic affordable sets on offer for Christmas. I also think that they would make great presents for Teenagers who are first starting to explore the makeup world and blossoming into big Makeup Lovers! 

Stila have brought out two sets of  lipglosses called Cool and Warm. Each set has three gorgeous sheer coloured  lipglosses for £12s worth £25. They also have a bigger set of eight wearable lipgloss shades for £16s worth £60! 

Vintage Bridesmaid

Did the makeup for this lovely bridesmaid with a 40s style makeup to suit her style. Which of course this look must have the bright red lipstick.

St Albans Fashion Show

St Albans Fashion Show I was evolved in as a MUA a few weeks ago.

Wow hair colour!

Wow really is the word for this amazing quick fix product! It's a cover up powder which does an excellent job at covering regrowth or grey roots yes even grey ones as i shall show you in not so great photos as they were taken by myself from phone but you will get the idea!. It's easy to apply as it comes with a two sided brush for application. The powder has light particles in it so you don't get the dullness from sprays. It also stays on between washes too. It comes in a choice of six colours and I do recommend you try the colours out before purchasing on line as I bought a shade lighter than I would of thought. You get upto 60 applications.

It is £28.50 which is cheaper than going to hairdressers as you will be able to stretch an extra week or two till your next appointment. Also cheaper than buying home colourants too. If you get caught out and haven't got time to fit hairdressers before an evening out it will just take a few mins to touch up!

Nov workshop

Well my Flawless Skin and Contouring workshop on the 8th Nov was a success! Met a lovely group of like minded makeup lovers. It was lovely to see new faces as well as lovely ladies from my last workshop. Have had some lovely feedback comments too. Loved using the fab products and learning useful tips and techniques. So thankyou. 

My next workshop is on Sat 7th Dec 10-12pm once again at the Embankment Hotel Bedford focusing on Party Eyes!! Tickets are £17.50 and includes a refreshment. Come along and get your party look for your Christmas Party nights out and more! X

Christmas candles Shimmering Spice Space NK

Oh how I love burning a candle in my cosy house on a winters night. My favourite candles to burn are Dyptique but it has to be said that Space NKs Shimmering Spice Candle that they bring out only at Christmas is so lovely. Cinnamon and spice are intermingled with orange and mandarin with a warm and cosy cedar base mixed with a hint of sweet vanilla. The standard size is 175grams £30s. Burns up to 60hrs and comes beautifully gift wrapped. Would make a lovely gift. They also do a smaller one at £15s 

Dyptique Candles Nov

One of my many favourite things in life is burning a candle......and more than ever in the Autumn/Winter months. My favourite all time candles to burn is Diptyque as they tick all the boxes....I have become abit of a candle expert!! A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to receive a fantastic goody bag containing all things lovely from Space NK. One of the items I received was a Mimosa Diptyque scented candle. I will saviour it until the Spring/summer time as the fragrance for me suits the mood of those seasons.
However what I do like burning in the colder months are more warmer, creamy,spicy and smokey fragrances. Feu De Bois is one of my favourites to burn at this time of year as it has a smokey burning ember scent to it which makes you feel warm and cosy at home when it's cold and dark outside. Diptyque candles standard candles 190grams retail for £40s and burn for upto 60hrs. They burn cleanly and evenly and providing you snip wick before you re-lite. You truly won't be disappointed with your fragranced filled room.
My ultimate all time burn all year round candle has to be Dyptiques Figuier (fig) They use every part of the Fig Tree when creating the Fig fragrance. I have tried to get a candle that is just as good and abit cheaper. I have really struggled until recently when I discovered True Grace Fig candle £24s for the same size. (John Lewis) Really good however Dyptique if I'm truthful is still my favourite.

Space NK Goody Bag!

Look at all these lovely products I recieved from Space NK. Can't wait to try! Love a Dyptique candle such a treat. Will let you know how I get on....

St Albans Fashion week at St Albans Cathedral 1st Nov

Had such a great experience taking part in SAFW13. It was exciting to be involved in the first one and judging by its popularity and success it should be the first of many. Well done Ellana and her team. You can follow Ellana on her blog Styleinmycity. Here is a photo of one of the models I did makeup for.

Makeup Workshop Flawless Skin and Contouring Nov 8th

I'm looking forward to meeting up with all my lovely ladies who are attending my workshop on Flawless Skin and Contouring tomorrow at The Embankment Hotel in Bedford. There is still two spaces left if anyone is interested. It's £15s a ticket from 1-3pm refreshment included.