50 Shades of Red

I have realised its always been a beauty junkies dream to find the perfect red lipstick- especially for the Xmas season.

I have a number of favourite reds that I wear for different occasions depending how I am feeling! 

Mac do an amazing array of red lipsticks from left to right here are the colours and the brand (left: Ruby Woo, Mac - £15.00 /Truly Red, Studio Make Up - £12.00 /Alarm, Rimmel - £4.99/Russian Red, Mac - £15.00/Rouge Pur Couture 01, YSL - £17.50 /Matt Lady Danger, Mac - £15.00/
Retro Matte Dangerous, Mac/L'Absolu Rouge limited edition 189 Lancôme - £25.00/
Genna 28 Guerlain - £31.00) 

They are vary some are more intense some are brighter others have a tint of orange, see how you feel and let that red empower you!

Primers - what's out there??

Primers are so important before you put on your foundation, it helps the foundation to stay on much longer throughout the day.

Laura Mercier foundation primer is a firm favourite amongst the make up world! 

It has a light texture which allows you to apply it easily and has a light sheen on application. For 50ml its around £28 pounds.

I also like Estée Lauder Idealist. This also reduces pores and for 30ml is £41 pounds and for 50ml around £56 pounds.

Benefit have two great products that have become their best sellers which include the Porefessional and That Gal both minimise pores, and That Gal gives a lovely radiant glow - apply with your fingertips on the brow bone, the cheekbones and anywhere you want to highlight! 

YSL have their top secrets product Flash Radiance.

I switch between them as I like to try different products but see what suits you most and stick to what works for you.

Emma Hardie Vs Eve Lom - The fight of the Cleansers

We looked at the Shu Uemura Ultime8 which has received high praise.

There are 2 major players on the Cleansers market right now that most women who love their beauty products will know about and have been blogging about.

Eve Lom and Emma Hardie....

The Eve Lom Cleanser has quite a thick yellow like consistency with a slightly medicinal smell and also comes with a muslin cloth. Women have been using it for years and it really is an amazing product - the cleanser comes in sizes 50ml, 100ml to 200ml and retails from about £40-£85 pounds.
I used this religiously until I heard about Emma Hardie through an ex-colleague of fine (thanks Amy!)

Emma Hardie Amazing Face has a lighter texture, a light yellow consistency less of a smell but has a clear plastic top. Some people have said the top can break/crack overtime. I have found that to be true but the product is amazing.

It has 7 essential oils and really makes your complexion look brighter and alive. 

For 100ml its £32 pounds - QVC (they also have a video that shows you how to the Emma Hardie Amazing Face which I also found very useful. QVC are doing a great deal at the moment where you can supersize to 200ml for £49.80 and you get 2 cloths (usually £55) & Free P&P. 

I like both products and they both do a great job. 
Out of the 2 cloths I would say the Emma Hardie feels so much more softer on your face. QVC are also selling 10 cloths for £23.50 (normally 3 for £10 pounds).

Enjoy choosing your favourite cleanser - remember these are only suggestions - find what's best for you and your skin. 

Bioderma Deal!

Just so you know I just saw this link for Bioderma - they are now doing a 100ml bottle for £4.50 bargain! Grab it now if you just want to see what the fuss is about! They also have 500ml bottles now too if you really like it!

http://www.escentual.com/bioderma/bioderma013/

Its a winner of the cosmopolitan awards 2013 and is alcohol free!!!

The magic of Shu Uemura

I discovered Shu Uemura whilst at a Space NK event evening and that's why I love Space NK as you can try exciting products all the time!

Shu Uemura has been around for a long time and I wish I has discovered all these products earlier! "Founded and named after legendary japanese make-up artist and beauty pioneer, Shu Uemura," the products are simple yet pure! 

I discovered the skin purifier Ultime8 (sublime beauty cleansing oil) 150ml this retails at £36.00 but I might invest in the larger 450ml size next time, now that I've tried it as it it's so good. I use it to take off make up by using 2 pumps, it makes my skin feel so soft and gives it moisture especially during these winter months. 

I was also recommended the depsea water lavender mist 150ml which retails at £16.50 which you can spray all over your face if you need some moisture in an air conditioned office! Or of you just need a refresher. 

The depsea hydrabillity at 150ml is a great toner after you have cleansed as there is no alcohol and so your skin is moisturised! This retails at £24.00

You will not be disappointed with their products the fact that alot of them are free from alcohol means that they will not damage your skins and will just increase the moisture.

Harrods beautiful xmas windows

Hey all sorry for the late blog had a bit of a cold! On the mend now.. wanted to share the beautiful display front at Harrods with you! 

What do you think? I love Mulberry....so I was in Mulberry Heaven!

They had a stunning Mulberry display which had a selection of wild animals dotted around the beautiful handbags! 

The shop front was also made into a train and had a beautiful display of lady's drinking high tea which I loved!

If you do get a chance then pop over to Harrods during Christmas to have a look its worth it! 

Hey beauty lovers join me on twitter!

I have set up a twitter account as well so I can share even more helpful beauty tips on the move please follow me @amrasbeautyblog 

Xmas pressie ideas!

So Xmas is almost upon us and I thought it would great to show you some cute gifts that are available in the UK.

I am a massive Jo Malone Fan and I was given a lovely Christmas cracker on my last day at work.  Inside the cracker are tiny versions of the Blackberry & Bay Cologne, Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash Gel & Grapefruit Body Creme. Its still available at some Jo Malone Branches but a lovely idea. But be quick....Take a look at the Cologne Collection this is sold out online but is available in some stores...ring up to save you a journey in! Or try the Travel Collection which I was lucky to get as xmas pressie from my husband. Or the Pomegranate Noir Collection - I prefer this fragrance as a candle but its still a great set.

SOAP and GLORY have an amazing special 1/2 deal at Boots - get it now! Its only available for a week and they are giving 9 full size items for £27 pounds instead of £60. Its called The Yule Monty, grab it quick before it sells out!

In this magical box you get...ready for it.....full size products of Hand Food Hand Cream; Sugar Crush Body Wash; The Righteous Butter Body Butter; Peaches & Clean Deep Purifying Cleanser; Heel Genius Foot Cream; Butter Yourself Body Lotion; The Scrub of Your Life Body Buffer; Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara and Sexy Mother Pucker XL Lip Plumper.

Happy xmas shopping and finding those lovely xmas bargains! But remember those Boxing days sales!

Best Make up Removers!

So you can't rid of that stubborn mascara after a crazy night out? You have used about 2 face wipes and you can still see that make up!!

Well check this out!

BIODERMA - remember that name....BIODERMA Sensibio H2O its a product that has been getting a bit of a cult following - originally from France its now available in the UK. It removes all traces of make up...all traces full stop. You will love it I promise you. I managed to bag to bottles of 250ml for £9.99 each with free p&p but you can buy it online....read the reviews! I also got BIODERMA Sebium H2O for combination and oily skin to see the difference. I am still on the first bottle! It feels quite refreshing on a cotton pad on your face and with about 2 applications clears everything.

I also swear by Lancome Bi-Facil & Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur. The first is specifically for eye make up and is great for sensitive eyes like mine and contact lens wearers like me! Its 125ml and is normally £21.00 pounds but you can get it from Debenhams for £18.90! Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur is 200ml and removes all make up. 

All these are much better options than your normal face wipes although I still use Johnson & Johnsons Face Care Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes and if you are lucky wait for the deals in Wilkinsons or Superdrug half price or this link which is £1.50 each..... bargain!!

The perfect day Moisturiser

What makes a great Moisturiser? It depends from person to person, your skin type plays a major part and I think as the seasons change from Spring to Summer to Winter we need different moisturisers for different times of the year. My skin needs more help during the Winter months as its lot more drier and with Summer I can get away with something alot lighter.

There are so many out there and the ones I use I rotate with depending on what I feel my skins needs.

Estee Lauder do an amazing and affordable range. I use Estee Lauder DayWear 50ml - look out as there are some great gift sets for xmas at Debhanhams and I would highly recommend getting their Beauty Points card. It all counts! It retails for around £40 pounds so pretty reasonable. It has amazing reviews and I love the fresh cucumber smell it has. You don't need to apply a lot on but it goes a long way! A cool and refreshing feeling.




Now onto my two winter moisturisers from Creme De La Mer Moisturising Cream- a massive staple of Jennifer Lopez for years- these last for ages considering the price! (quote:  It has been touted as a miracle cream and was developed by a NASA scientist, Dr. Max Huber, who suffered a terrible accident when a routine experiment exploded in his face, resulting in severe chemical burns. Ouch! When nothing else worked, Dr. Huber created his own face cream. In 1996, Estee Lauder bought it. 
I have the original formula 60ml - that I have had for ages - half a pot left. It retails at £200 pounds but you can get a 30ml for £105.00 and its brilliant, I take a small pea size and rub it in my hands to heat it up then pat it on my face. It has a nice light fragrance. I also thought I would try the lighter formula Creme De La Mer the Soft Moisturising Cream at 30ml at £105 pounds. Its alot lighter and also smells pleasant.

Finally we have the Shu Uemura Red Juvenus Daycream 50ml - I was at Space NK at the event evening and discovered this lovely pomegranate smelling Day Cream. It has a light texture and I apply it lightly a small pea size and dab on the my face.

Its nice to have a variation of products so you don't get bored! Make sure you get your face analysed to see your skin type before you get a moisturiser and remember to find the one that agrees with you. It doesn't have to cost the earth, I used to use Ponds at £3.99 and I know Kylie Minogue swears by it!

Night Serums - its the time when you skin does the most repairing!!

Ok now on to the night time serums...

Did you know this is the probably the best time to apply your serum and you'll be sleeping the whole time hopefully - along with taking off all your make up I would say this is the next best thing to do!!

The ones I use are not that expensive but still do an amazing job. I know La Prairie do have a night serum which I had a sample of but I thought I would finish these first before I move on.

The one I use the most every night recently and have been loving due its beautiful lavender smell is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This is stuff is like nectar from the gods, men and women can use it and it makes your skin feel so soft in the morning. My husband uses it too and he says he loves the smell. You just apply a couple of drops in your hand and pat it into your skin (thank you Sam for the tip!), the texture is like essential oils. I am halfway through my 1st bottle and have already stocked up on a 2nd! It's that good! It only comes in a 30ml normally retailing at £36.00 pounds but again it lasts for ages! Check on my link above as its at John Lewis for £32.40.


One that I think most women will recognise is Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. Used around the world its meant to repair your skin whilst you sleep. It certainly is a great tried and tested product and one which I use on a regular basis. Its in a 30ml and 50ml and I have the 50ml which is about £65 pounds. Its a more gloopy texture hasn't got much of a smell but my skins feels soft in the morning.

I stepped into Space NK last year in South Molton Street and was told to give Nude's Pro Genius a go. It's a treatment oil with Omega 3,6,7 & 9 for the face and I use at night, you can also use it in the morning. It only comes in 30ml and is around £58 pounds but if you are feeling as though your skin is in need of some moisture this is great!

Finally Beauty Sleep is from YSL top secrets range. Its available in a black tube at 40ml - its more of a night serum but can be used in the morning as well. It makes you look like you had 12 hours sleep which I am sure alot of us would love to have the luxury of.

So....remember always remove your make up before bed and always put on your favourite night serum...you won't regret it!!

Serums do we need them?

OK lets start with Serums - I never used to use a Serum when I was younger. I didn't think it was important - after I reached the age of 30 they became the holy grail for me. My mum swears by it and although it does help we have oriental genes on our side we still use it. Its like a wonderful base for me before I apply my moisturiser. I am of the school of thought that before you can apply make up you need to have a beautiful canvas - like painting a picasso! I have heard so many make up artists tell me people tend to skip that part....my advice is don't....if you have beautiful skin then anything else will just look ever more beautiful.

I have discovered a few that might tickle your fancy for the day. 

Let's start off with most expensive one La Prairie Cellular Power Serum 50ml - but this is an investment piece for your skin. Nicole Scherzinger who has used the products since she was ten swears by it and look at how amazing her skin is. I got this from the airport duty free as it retails at about £322.00 pounds - now you may gasp in horror but its the one of the best serums I have ever used. You can get it cheaper £289.80 at John Lewis at the moment price match   

This product can last for at least 6 months maybe 8 months at a push or even longer if you have another serum :-) It has lovely packaging and it has a push pump which distributes just the right amount at a time (I use about 2 pushes). The texture is light and it feels really light on your face. It sinks in straight away.

The other one which I have finished using and was amazing was by Creme De La Mer The Regenerating Serum they only do this in 30ml & 75ml - I would go for the 30ml as it retails at about £230 pounds and does last for 4-6 months. I haven't used this one in a while but it did have a similar consistency slightly thicker and last for ages. Here are some really good reviews and its another good alternative.

The other one I am finishing at the moment that seems like a neverending bottle is YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum 50ml which can be used day and night (not on the neck).  This comes in a handy 30ml, 50ml and 75ml - the 50ml retailing at £82.00 pounds. If you are looking to pay mid range for a Serum then you wouldn't go wrong getting this. Its a lot more gloopy in texture then the previous two and you can even use the serum from the side of the rod as its quite thick. I would use 1 to 2 drops on your face. It sinks in but with a little more movement. I would say out of the 3 in the picture I use this one least as I like the ones which feel smooth on my skin and the smell.

The last one which I discovered through an amazing Shu Uemura make up artist Angel at a Space NK event a month or so ago in the Liverpool Street branch was the Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin Youth Radiance Generator. It only comes in a 30ml but that's ok it will still last you a good few months. At first I was dubious as I had some really good serums already but couldn't resist - Angel had also said it gave you a glow so wanted to see what he meant. He was right, it felt amazing on my skin and gave me a glow (the kind you get with Clarins Beauty Balm). This retails for about £51.50, luckily it was a store event where you got a £50 voucher to spend on another day so I tried it and loved and picked it up paying only a £1.50 on another day.

Serums do cost more money then your usual moisturiser but your face will thank you for it in the years to come.....I'll be reviewing some of the night serums in my next blog!

Hello there - a little beauty intro - Amra's Beauty World

Everyone says I am a beauty junkie....I know I am a beauty junkie! I love all things Beauty and I am an addict as my husband can see from my make up table - where he is happy to have his little 2 inch corner. I love trying new products, hardly ever wait for the old one to finish as I am sure a lot of beauty addicts would nod in agreement and I get excited at the mere prospect of a new product on the market. I have a Space NK de luxe membership and savour any Space NK beauty event where I can discover new and exciting product launches.

So I decided after all these years to share what I have learnt and discovered with as many other beauty junkies as I can find!

Feel free to ask me any questions and I will do what I can to answer them. Thanks for reading and let's start this beauty adventure together!