Photoshoot: Maria @ Boss

So, I've been keeping busy with lots of fantastic test shoots recently! The first came a few weeks ago with The Full Frame Photography. We had been wanting to shoot for a while and finally got together to shoot the beautiful Maria at his studio in Birmingham.

 

Maria needed some lingerie shots for her book and we had the opportunity to get a few beauty portraits too. The Photographer wanted to keep the makeup quite clean and natural, so I kept the colours neutral and let her beautiful skin and freckles shine through. Maria has such big, doe-like eyes so I left her lids clean, with just a little contour in the crease, and smoked an inky black liner underneath her lashes for definition. Her plump lips were prepped well and left free of liner to keep the look fresh, pressing a little Creme Cup by MAC onto the lips and highlighting the cupid's bow. Body make-up was also applied for the lingerie shots to perfect the skintone and add a natural glow.

My hero products for this shoot:

• Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero
• Nars The Multiple in Copacabana
• Benefit Bathina Body Balm

Maria has the perfect face for make-up with the most incredible features and was a total dream to work with. I think these shots are beautiful and hope to work with the fantastic team again.

Credits:

Photographer: The Full Frame

Model: Maria @Boss Model Management @Alan Sharman

Make-up and Hair: Laura Walton
 

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss

There seems to be a current trend with cosmetic companies for 'matching' make-up, with MAC releasing sets of nail polish and lip colours in their Fashion Sets Collection. In keeping with this theme, Benefit Cosmetics are releasing co-ordinating lip glosses to complement their best-selling Box O'Powders. As a fan of these complexion-enhancing powders ('Hoola' is a staple in my kit!) I'm eager to add these matching Ultra Plush Glosses to my collection.

The six-piece collection, with shades ranging from sultry nudes to punchy pinks, have been created in soft-squeeze tubes with packaging that perfectly corresponds to the popular powders.

• Dandelion (soft pearly pink)
• Dallas (dusty rose)
• Sugarbomb (shimmering pinky nude)
• CORALista (sheer coral)
• Bella Bamba (sheer bright watermelon)
• Hoola (shimmering golden nude)

The new plush glosses glide on easily feeling super-silky and smooth, whilst the non-sticky formula offers a sheer, shimmering finish. They will need regular application as they lack the 'stick' of some glosses, but if you prefer your lip colour to have a more balm-like feel and hate that tacky feeling, you will love these!

Tip: To create a beautifully pulled-together look in seconds, apply your favourite box o'powder to your cheeks and eyes and finish with its complementing gloss.

Ultra Plush Lip Gloss Available from July 2012 at £13.50 each.

Which are your favourite Box O'Powders and will you be trying a matching Plush Gloss?

July Magazine Freebies

It's a bumper month for magazine make-up freebies! The big brands that are tempting consumers this month include Ciate, Benefit and Jemma Kidd. The July 2012 issues of Marie Claire, Glamour and Red are all on sale throughout the month of June, but don't wait around to claim your chosen gift!

Marie Claire Magazine (RRP £3.70) is offering a free Ciate Nail Polish worth £9. Choose from three new-season shades in 'Bon bon' (Nude), 'Jelly Bean' (Bright Pink) and 'Purple Sherbet' (Lilac).

These Ciate Paint Pots come in beautiful packaging with a uniquely shaped bottle and a long, easy to apply brush. I picked up the beautiful 'Bon bon' shade which is a classic opaque nude with a hint of lavender/dirty pink.

Glamour Magazine (RRP £2.00) is giving away a best-selling product from Benefit. Select one of these three luxe-minis: 'The Porefessional' which according to Glamour is worth £10, 'That Gal' worth £15 and 'Bad Gal' worth £10.

The Porefessional is a silky, lightweight balm which quickly minimises the appearance of pores & fine lines. I would highly recommend this for flawless foundation application and long-lasting results.

That Gal face primer contains light-reflecting pigments for a brighter, smoother looking complexion.

Bad Gal is a mascara for full, voluminous lashes. It's famously big brush can be a little too clumpy if not carefully applied, but this would be useful as a travel mascara.

Red Magazine (RRP £3.90) is offering a choice of two products from the Jemma Kidd make-up range worth £15 each. Pick up either the 'I-Glamour Volume Mascara' or the 'I-Glamour Define Eyeliner'.

I managed to get the I-Glamour Mascara which separates the lashes nicely whilst lengthening and adding volume. "The mega-black formula is enriched with Vitamin E and Glycerin to help condition and strengthen lashes, whilst providing the perfect texture to coat and lengthen with every application."

The I-Glamour black eyeliner offers a soft texture and a handy smudging tool on one end. "This pro eyeliner adds definition without dragging or discomfort, whilst also allowing essential play time, followed by smudge-resistant results throughout the day."

Which freebie are you hoping to get your hands on?

Update 5/6/12: I've just found out that the July issue of Harper's Bazaar, featuring Florence Welch, is giving away a Leighton Denny Nail Polish! Choose from one of three hot summer shades in Coral Reef, Plush Pink or Supermodel.