Tips to take 10 years off your looks

Makeup can make or break your look & these tips will help avoid adding years to your look... TIP 1 - Curl your lashes Curling your lashes before you apply your mascara will open up your eyes. As we age, our eyelashes thin out & straighten. Curling them also helps to maintain their previous shape. TIP 2 - Apply mascara from the roots When applying, always begin at very base of lashes. It is a common mistake to only coat the tips, & this weighs down lashes making them droop. Lifting from the roots allows for even coverage, & thickens & defines. Also, be sure to coat the top of the lashes too - they can have the tendency to look like a dusty shelf if forgotten. TIP 3 - Add moisture! The more hydrated your skin, the younger it will seem. Always moisturise morning & night, & don't overpowder. TIP 4 - Choose a light base Foundation is not a mask! Foundation should let your skin show through & enhance your natural beauty, not have to be taken off with a chisel! Stay away from pink or beige tone foundation, as this can be aging. A hint of yellow based warms the complexion. Choose a liquid or cream for a more 'dewy' finish. Apply with a foundation brush - this gives a more airbrushes appearance, & is also significantly more hygenic than your fingers, & will save wastage when using a sponge. After application with the brush, dab a little on the brush & pat onto any dark spots or blemishes until blended. TIP 5 - Use brown instead of black Choose brown or brown/black instead of jet black, especially for daytime. Brown tones define the eyes, & create as much impact as black, without looking harsh. TIP 6 - Use a lip plumper Don't apply your lip pencil outside your natural lip line. Use a lip plumper. Apply to your lips before you apply your colour, they contain plumping agents such as collagen & hyaluronic acid, & these help to puff your pout. TIP 7 - Go for rosy glow The most flattering shade as we age is a warm, rosy tone. Use one that is a shade or two deeper than your natural lip colour. TIP 8- Soften & SMILE As we age, the corners of our lips can droop, making us look sad :( To soften this, apply your lip liner & lipstick just short of where your lips begin to turn down. When applying your lipstick, use a lipstick brush & smile. This stretches out the lip creases, & your lip colour will be applied evenly & give a smoother finish. And now you look GORGEOUS <3

Size DOES Matter!!

Now, I know what your thinking, & get your mind out of the gutter lol ;)

No, I'm talking about weight. I know, scary thought that most of us try to put out of our heads, at least until we reach for that chocolate bar that we really don't need but really really want!

After having an accident in January 2011 & having some serious pain meds, I have now put on a substantial amount of weight & finding it very upsetting I must say :(

First of all, the fact that 95% of my wardrobe doesn't fit is an issue, as a) can't really afford to buy a whole new wardrobe, & b) most of my clothes I love & they are styling so it is with great sadness I have had to relegate them to space bags!

Now I have been forced to find a few key pieces, very carefully culled from countless recycled clothing stores & altered to suit my tastes. I absolutely refuse to buy anything new as I am hoping in the near future to be able to stop the meds & shed the weight. This being said, I now have some great bits & pieces to mix & match to get me through winter. And while the extra weight shouldn't define me, I can't help but feel less attractive in my appearance, to myself & to others around me.

But out of all of this, I have finally decided what I want to do with the rest of my life professionally, this is where Pink Poppy Makeovers came to be. I have been extremely proud to watch my make-up artistry skills bring out the inner beauty & glow of women, making them look & feel gorgeous.

So unfortunately we live in a society where extra weight is deemed unattractive, but I am doing my small part to make any & all women feel empowered – beautiful inside & out!