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Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Beauty

Skincare Heroes: Vivderma Detox Elixir

We all have rough times with our skin.  When the weather is changeable, or stress enters our lives all of that is reflected in our skin.  But what about those times of utter crisis?  The times when our skin has either reacted to something, gone through a period of age related change, or just had a complete and utter meltdown?  well Voyeurs, I’m going to let you in on a secret of mine and I’ve been sitting on this one for a few years.  To be honest, I didn’t realise it was even a secret until I got to talking about it with a few people recently and nobody seems to even be aware of the existence of this product which I’m completely shocked about because it’s a complete and utter hero.

So, the beginning.  I have photo-sentitive skin.  Like majorly photo-sensitive.  This is why when you see me on vacation I always look like a burned lobster and not a bronzed goddess.  I have a condition that requires a medication which has some side effects, one of which is extreme photo-sensitivity and this is why I’m always banging on about SPF.  So, because I burn like a vampire through a crack in a curtain, I always wear SPF; and because SPF is completely gross for your skin it causes breakouts and blockages so it’s like this cycle of protecting your skin by treating it really badly.

A few years back I was at London Fashion Week, I’d just flown in to the UK the night before and my skin was awful.  I met up with a beauty PR friend of mine at my first show of the season and she said she’d hook me up with something to help my skin.  That was my first ever introduction to Vivderma Detox Elixir and now I’m a convert.

The product itself is a lightweight serum that glides on to clean skin after washing or cleansing.  It’s billed as Skin Rehab and comes with a whole host of benefits listed however the main reason I use it is its ability to rebalance skin that has tipped into crisis mode.  Whether it’s sunburn, breakouts, itchiness, duskiness, dullness or any other skin related concern that’s out of the ordinary – Detox Elixir has me covered.  I don’t use it every day, just when I need it and it always has my back.

I recently took a week long road trip to Cadwell Park and a press trip to Wicksteed Park (which you can read about here) and it happened to be during record breaking temperatures of 37 degrees which resulted in me having photosensitive skin and tightness.  Detox Elixir had me feeling like my usual self again and looking a lot better very quickly.

A close up image of Pixie Tenenbaum's hand holding a bottle of Viv Derma's Skin Elixir, a skin hero product for calming skin deemed to be in crisis

What does it cost & how long will it last?

It’s at the pricier end of the mid-range skincare market at £85 for 30ml.  However, it’s not an everyday product so you get a decent lifespan out of that little bottle.  One pump does your face and neck so as long as you don’t get too trigger happy it *can* last.  Given that I’m on the more sensitive side of the scale, I get around nine months out of one bottle, a person with more regulated skin could get longer.  Also, don’t discard the bottle when the pump stops, there’s always loads left in the bottom.

What’s in it?

Magic.  Seriously magic stuff.  It calms your skin in an instant so it must be.  It does have something called Proteolea in it which contains 100 x more vitamin C than apples, apparently this is important if you’re looking for anti-ageing type properties in your skincare.  It also contains Sacred Lotus which is known for its calming, soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities.  That’ll be the magic then.  It’s a great mattifier too which I know is often a product people use separately.  Basically the brand is a clinical brand and they use that clinical knowledge to address environmental skin issues.

Where can I get it?

The Vivderma website!  I don’t know another place that sells it and Viv Derma deliver fast.  I guess these days Bloggers have to declare relationships and I don’t have a relationship with Vivderma at all.  They didn’t ask me to recommend this product to you or to direct anybody to buy a product from them.  It’s a product I was given by a beauty PR who represented them (at the time) in a time of need and I’ve stuck with the brand as a customer ever since because the product is tried and tested (by me) and I genuinely love it.  I guess that’s just how this works right?  If you try something and you love it then you just keep on keeping on?

What it’s really great for is stopping those annoying pimples that you get under the surface of the skin, the ones that sit there taunting you but never quite break through.  I use the La Prairie skin peel dupe from Aldi (yes really because it’s bomb ass and it’s only £7) followed by this and it stops them in their tracks.  If you’re serious about finding skincare that works, then this really does.

Pixie

Categories: Beauty, Uncategorized

Bio-Essence 24 k Bio-Gold Night Cleanser & Miracle Finisher

If like me, you have sensitive skin, then wearing makeup and removing it after can be something you dread.  Admittedly most of my days are spent makeup free but I always indulge in a little face paint if I have an event, show or night out in my schedule.  I’m particular about makeup, I tend to steer clear of highstreet makeup ranges and use something more high end, for no reason other than past experience tells me they treat my skin better.  If I get it wrong I can end up looking like I’ve been burned by the time it comes to removing it and it can often spur on a breakout in the days following.

My makeup regime is pretty simple: I use YSL Primer, it’s the best thing I’ve found and gives a flawless finish.  I follow this with a blend of two or three foundations depending on my colouring at the time, but my faithful products to make my custom shade are by Tom Ford, Chanel and Creme de la Mer.  Total that up and that’s one seriously expensive foundation, cue cringe face emoji.  I’m hoping my trip to the Fenty Beauty Influencer event during London Fashion Week will solve this once and for all and give me one awesome foundation that will give me that RiRi glow.

I use a Tom Ford bronzing stick to give a light contour, and a Rihanna x MAC Diamond highlighter directly above it, which I top off with a Topshop metallic blush and I’m good to go.  I never wear mascara but I do give my lashes a good heavy coating of Nouveau’s Lash Conditioner which gives the appearance of added length without weight.  I have pretty long lashes already so LVL Lash treatments stand me in good stead.  I use Tom Ford eye palettes for a pop of colour and a slick of DHC liquid liner for a feline flick, but generally I’m pretty low maintenance.  I always use Tom Ford and Nanshy brushes to apply my makeup, there’s no competition.  I’ve had cheaper brushes and more expensive brushes but these give the best combination for the style of makeup that I wear and I always have a selection of each brand in my arsenal.

The problem I have is when it comes to removing makeup.  I’ve used No.7 cleanser which left my face tingling and my lips swollen, as well as a million other high street cleansers which leave my face feeling tight and dry.  It’s really difficult to find something that will do the job as well as it needs to be done.  Enter Bio-Essence 24k Gold.  I was asked to review this budget to mid priced range which is available in Superdrug and I read up on it in advance so I knew what I was in for.  At first glance it looks lovely, the packaging plays on the 24k gold theme and is holographic so instantly it looks a lot more expensive than it is.  It’s definitely one to be displayed proudly on the bathroom shelf.

Now just as a point of note, I get asked to review a LOT of products, some of which don’t make the grade.  I don’t like to give a scathing review of something just for the sake of it, so you’ll tend to find that the things I publish are positive reviews about products that i’ve really enjoyed using and had some great results from.  The Bio Essence 24k range is one of those ranges.  I used the 24k Bio Gold Skin radiance Night Cleanser and Miracle Finisher literally until the tubes were empty and then was gutted once they’d been used.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Skin Radiance Night Cleanser £12.99

This cleanser comes with a pump dispenser, it’s creamy in consistency and has a metallic gold finish.  It’s been designed to avoid stripping moisture from the skin and adding radiance which works whilst you sleep.  You’ll know from experience that finding the right cleanser for your skin type can be tricky as they can often leave skin dry and tight, this one doesn’t.  You don’t get that instant pull after using it that makes you want to reach for your moisturiser in seconds.  It’s tough – it removes all traces of makeup, but it’s kind to skin leaving it feeling clean and soft.  I’ve been following this up with Murad‘s Moisturising Toner which comes as a handy spray, then using my Peach Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel and a new facial oil from Lumity Life.

Superdrug is your best friend for this product as it’s often on offer, click here to shop it.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Miracle Finisher £19.99

CULT PRODUCT ALERT.  This is a divine product.  It’s difficult to describe exactly what this product is, but Ill try anyway.  It’s the very last step of your skincare regime, so no matter what your routine is on a morning, you apply this at the very end.  It’s super lightweight in texture, almost like a serum, but it’s thicker and feels like velvet on your skin.  I guess it’s like a second primer, it finishes the skin in preparation for makeup, or you might choose to wear it on its own if you’re hitting the gym.  It’s literally flawless.  it closes pores, mattifies, smoothes out imperfections, blurs lines and gives you a glow that wasn’t there before.

That’s just the aesthetic benefits, this product works to form an invisible barrier over the skin to protect it from pollution and other nasties that might be in makeup.  It prevents pores from clogging, blackheads from forming and ultimately reduces irritation from any outside element.

My makeup sat better, stayed longer and had a better finish with Miracle Finisher underneath.  For only £20 as opposed to a high end primer which costs an average of £42 in the UK, I’d say this product is well worth a punt no matter what your skin type.  My advice would be to save this one for day use only, sure it makes you look amazing but it’s a waste of awesomeness if you’re just going to sleep on it.  You can shop this product here.

Yes, it’s just skincare but if you’re reading this then it’s probably a topic you’re interested in.  For something that is essentially a highstreet beauty product, this is a good, solid, does what it says on the tin range, with a little bit of flair and a whole lot of style.  Buy it, try it and glisten like the star that you are, because everything is better in gold.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Uncategorized

Peachy Fox London Skincare

I love trying out new beauty products, I love that the technology in beauty is constantly evolving in line with what men and women both want and expect from skincare.  We all have our own issues with our skin and all wish we could turn back the clock.  In a market that’s filled with great quality products from leading skincare brands like Murad, Decleor and Image Skincare, as well as amazing high street products from L’Oreal Paris, Olay and Simple, whilst there’s always going to be something out there that suits your particular skin type, it can be hard (and expensive) to do the leg work.

I was contacted by organic beauty brand Peachy Fox London with a simple request: try our products and leave us a short Amazon review.  The brand is an all natural, all organic beauty company with no hidden nasties in any of the products.  With skincare these days there are so many ‘tribes’ of consumer to appeal to that it’s difficult for a brand to tick all of the boxes.  Peachy Fox London has a good try.  The product lineup is small and that’s because research takes time, the brand are working to increase their lineup and are taking feedback from consumers into consideration – hence the review request.  Each is available to purchase with free next day delivery via Amazon Prime.

Full product range from Peachy Fox Organic Skincare Fashion Voyeur Blog

So, what’s in the range?

Marine Collagen Eye Gel £13.97

You may have already seen my full post about this product (if not you can read it here).  I have real problems when it comes to skincare that’s suitable for my sensitive eyes, my mum has a super rare condition in her eyes and judging by my symptoms, I’m starting to wonder whether I have it too.  Anyway, I’m always very skeptical when it comes to trying or buying eye products.  This one is a thin gel consistency with no perfume, it glides on easily and is so gentle it can be used right over the lid, as well as around the orbital bone.  In a nutshell: I’m a convert.  I can’t praise this eye product enough, it’s not greasy, it’s not drying, it doesn’t cause any irritation and it gives my tired eyes a boost.  I’ve started carrying it with me and using it with me on the go.  If you’re interested in adding an eye product to your regime then go read the full post, this is one you won’t want to miss out on.

Anti-Redness Facial Cream £14.99

First up, I don’t have rosacea or anything quite as serious as that in terms of redness, however I do have very sensitive skin and am prone to ‘flare ups’ of redness.  My skin is particularly red and tender after I’ve worn makeup, hence not wearing it that often.  It’s a super easy to use product, it’s not green or lilac like you might expect, it’s a basic white cream.  It applies easily and doesn’t have an instant effect but once it’s fully absorbed it has a calming effect on your skin and evens out tone, flattening the areas which stood out and providing the perfect base.

This one is a dual product, often with anti-redness creams you need to top them up with a moisturiser, this one is both – however use sparingly as it can be a little greasy.  The only thing you need on top is an SPF product and makeup if you’re wearing it.  It takes a little while to fully absorb so factor this in if you’re applying makeup over the top.  It has a lovely fresh cucumber smell to it too.  Bonus.

Aloe Retinol Serum £13.97

If you’re starting out using retinol then go read this post which is your guide to retinol.  Retinol sounds scary to a lot of people and it comes with some guidelines, but with safe use, it can be your best friend.  This particular product is heavenly, I bloody love it.  It’s fresh root ginger smell is amazing and you only need one pump to cover your face (any more than two and you’re using way too much).  It’s a serum so it’s designed to go under your night cream to enhance the benefits and it’s gentle enough to use around the eyes.  You experience and immediate tightening after use and skin feels amazing the next morning.  Remember, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £13.97

Another retinol product which comes with some guidance and application of common sense.  Whilst it states that this product is suitable for use during the day, guidance suggests retinol products should only be used at night – otherwise your skin can age faster than normal when exposed to sunlight and nobody wants that.  This one is another cream, I use two pumps per application and it’s a tricky one to get used to due to the consistency of retinol.  This one should be patted rather than rubbed, once you get the hang of it it’s super easy to use.

I love the look of my skin after using this and it feels incredible in the morning, smooth, even and it definitely looks better in terms of appearance.  If you’re looking to fight the ageing process, this should be in your arsenal. Again, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dead Sea Mud Anti-Aging facial Mask £12.99

Peachy fox branded mud mask with added jojoba Fashion Voyeur Blog

The newest addition to the Peachy Fox line-up, this mask is thick, luxurious and a real treat to use.  Packed full of anti-ageing ingredients and the same ‘no nasties’ policy as with everything in the range, this mask packs a punch.  It’s not drying like other mud masks of the same texture can be and it has a fresh, minty smell – something that’s quite surprising when you open the post for the first time.  It’s thick and green but very smooth to the touch so you don’t end up with lots of it stuck to the side of the sink when you rinse it off.  It almost part absorbs into the skin and part dries leaving the excess on the surface, and you can really feel it tingling and working on your skin.  Once removed skin has a visible radiance and feels “bouncy’ to the touch.

The perfect weekly addition to your skincare routine and one that you’ll really see the difference with.

The Verdict

I’m a fan.  I like the products and I like the fact that they’re organic and natural.  More and more men and women are becoming savvy about what they put on their skin and keeping it natural is a nice touch.  If you’re using Peachy Fox London beauty products then I’d advise using a city block on top, but that goes totally against the all natural vibe given the number of scary chemicals used to create the SPF ‘veil’.  SPF by it’s very nature is a chemical, one that is absorbed by the body and is measurable in blood and breastmilk, but given the damaging effects of the sun, you need to weigh up which is the lesser of two evils.  Personally, I cover my face in sunblock every day, I think it’s absolutely essential when using retinol products on an evening.

The brand is cool and youthful and will appeal to millennials everywhere given it’s organic credentials.  Looking to make the move into natural skincare?  Peachy Fox London is worth the hype.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

Retinol – What is it & Why Should You Be Using it?

If there’s one ingredient that can pimp up your skincare routine and tackle all those niggling little issues you have, it’s retinol.  Praised for it’s ability to combat the signs of ageing and stimulate cell turnover, retinol is one of those ingredients that people either rave about, or are terrified of.  Well I’m here to tell you that retinol is nothing to be scared of, in fact quite the contrary, embrace it, use it, love it and reap the benefits!  Sure, there are some guidelines to follow, but as long as you’re using it correctly there’s no reason why retinol can’t be incorporated into your routine effectively.  I LOVE retinol, like most Dermatologists I’m of the opinion that retinol should be a regular part of our regime and after having tried a gazillion retinol products from ‘budget’ to ‘blow the budget’, I’m going to share my favourites with you, and a little more on how and why you should be using them.

Firstly, what is retinol?

Basically, it’s Vitamin A and it’s super effective and scientifically proven to improve the appearance of your skin.  Retinol is a weaker and more readily available version of a prescription only product called Tretinoin.  Tretinoin is strong, hence only being available via prescription.  It can’t be tolerated by everyone because it can be drying and can cause irritation.  Retinol is much weaker, it works in a similar way to Tretinoin but it’s more tolerable.

From dullness to firmness and everything in between, this super ingredient really packs a punch; but it’s best known as an anti-ageing product.  Walk into any branch of Boots and you’ll find the shelves brimming with anti-ageing products, in an off the shelf product, retinol is the only ingredient worth looking for when it comes to turning back the clock. There’s no magic wand, we’re not talking ‘Death Becomes Her’ here but Retinol stimulates cell turnover and collagen production and results can be seen in as little as 4 weeks with the right product.

Who can use retinol?

It’s not suitable for everyone and it won’t agree with everyone’s skin.  The difficult thing with retinol is finding a product with the exact measure that your skin can tolerate and with so many products available, there will be one out there for you.  Advice from the US states that whilst there is no evidence to suggest that retinol is harmful, products containing retinol and retinoids should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding and this relates to the amount of vitamin A in your system at any one time.  Also, if you’re going on vacation to somewhere sunny, I’d recommend you stop using any retinol product 7 days before you leave to ensure you’re not more susceptible to sunburn.

What are the benefits to using retinol?

Where do I start?  Retinol boosts skin’s natural collagen production, it stimulates cell turnover which evens out discolouration and it works a treat on blocked pores and acne or breakout prone skin.  It’s hailed by many Dermatologists as a wonder ingredient in skincare and more and more retinol products are hitting the shelves every month; it’s a super effective and scientifically proven skincare ingredient – when used correctly.

When should I use retinol?

Retinol is perfect for a night time skincare routine.  If you already use a specific night cream before bed, then consider replacing this with a retinol based cream or serum 2 – 3 times per week or as a sleeping masque once a week.  There are some products that state that they can be used during the day but you need to check the dose, retinol encourages cell turnover and this delicate new skin needs to be protected when exposed to sunlight.  Most retinol products are intended for night time use however there are a few creeping through for day time use too, personally, I only use it at night.

How do I use retinol?

There are LOADS of retinol products readily available.  You can pick up a retinol product on the high street from as little as £10 and prices can go right up to £250 for something from an aesthetic specific company.  It’s a very personal choice, one not so much determined by your budget and more what your skin can tolerate.  I’ve tried lots and lots of different retinol products and narrowed it down to my favourites, the ones I use over and over and can see visible results with, without irritation.

Once you’ve selected your product, start using it once a week on a night on clean skin.  I wash my face with a simple Clinique soap, tone with Murad‘s spray bottle toner, I use Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel (literally the best eye gel ever, read my review here) and then use my retinol product right before I go to bed.  Once you’ve gotten used to your product you can think about increasing the frequency to maybe 2-3 times per week, depending on its potency.  contrary to what you might think, retinol is particularly effective around the eyes.

One thing to remember when using any retinol based product is to wear sunscreen during the day.  I use a specific facial SPF40 product from Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream range but any city block with SPF 30+ will do the job.  You’ve spent time and money investing in your skin, now look after it!

How do I select a retinol product?

Again, it’s a choice you’ll make based very much on your particular skin needs and it may take a few tries to find your personal blend but there are a few things you should be looking for when you’re scanning the shelves.  Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives break down rapidly when exposed to the elements.  Skincare products containing retinol should be in an opaque or completely covered tube or tub and should always come with a pump dispenser, they typically have a shelf life of 6 months or less before they lose their efficacy.

Ready to give it a try?  Here are a few of my favourite retinol products, some of them I’ve only just discovered and some of them I’ve been using for a long time.  None of these are top budget products although I have used more expensive retinol products from Exuviance and Skinceuticals which really didn’t work for my skin, they left it feeling irritated and red despite the £200+ price tag.  Most importantly though, nobody has paid me for this review or to choose their product over another, this is an unbiased and personal review based on my own skin, some of the products in there were gifted to me in the first instance and some were purchased.

1. Peachy Fox Aloe Retinol Serum £12.97 Amazon

This is a lovely product to use, it has a lovely fresh and natural ginger scent and you only need one pump for your face.  I concentrate on using it around my eyes and then distribute what’s left around my face.  As with any retinol product, it can break up if you rub it too harshly so pat it gently until it’s soaked in.  In Spring and Summer I use this three times per week although the directions state that it’s suitable for daily use given it’s concentration.  This organic skincare brand is becoming a firm favourite amongst Bloggers and Influencers.

2. Retinol Youth Renewal Serum £65 Murad UK

This serum packs a punch and it comes in two different sizes so this one is great for travelling.  Use it once a week and use it sparingly as a little goes a long way (overloading on  retinol products can cause redness), this has a lovely smoothing consistency and skin looks fresher and visibly renewed the next morning.  It’s light enough that you can use your usual night cream on top once it’s soaked in.

3. The Ordinary Retinol Emulsion £6 Beauty Bay

I’d finished and thrown away the tube by the time I came to writing this post so don’t have a picture but the packaging is clean and simple and so is the product.  At 1% it’s a decent amount of retinol and the tube lasts for ages, this is a great budget buy that packs the same punch as some of its more expensive rivals.  It’s a lovely smooth product and you can see a visible difference after around 8 weeks of use.

4. Image Skincare Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque £80 imageskincare.com

This is a must have when it comes to retinol – it’s one of my favourites for a reason!  It comes with a “press & pump” dispenser so there’s no mess and no fuss, one pump does your whole face and it’s thicker in consistency than the other products as it’s intended as a moisturising masque.  Skin feels more plump and renewed and you can feel the difference when you wash your face the next morning.  This one is safe to use three nights per week but I’d recommend you start with one night per week if you’ve never used retinol before.  You don’t need a night cream on top of this one, you get the anti-ageing properties and a hit of hydration in one awesome product. (read about the Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial here).

5. Peachy Fox Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £12.98 Amazon

Another one from all natural and organic, cult skincare brand Peachy Fox, this moisturiser is deemed suitable for daily use and also for use morning and night due to the more tolerable retinol strength, however my personal preference is to stick to night time use (I know other Influencers who use this product during the day and have never had any irritation or issue).  This one is tricky to get to grips with when you first use it but persevere.  It has a different consistency than most skincare products but once you figure it out it really is a lovely product.  You tap this one all over your face and then very lightly pat it into skin, it needs to be fully dry and absorbed before you put anything else on your face otherwise it can pill and ball, if it does – you haven’t used it properly.  This one delivers an immediate glow after use, you’ll notice a difference in your skin from the first time you use it.

So now you know all about this must have skincare ingredient, go, armed with this knowledge and treat yourself to something that will compliment your existing skin regime and when the compliments start rolling in, pass it on and share the joy!

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Models, North East, Pixie, Uncategorized

Mastering The Essentials, A Makeup Masterclass with Amanda Bell

Remember a little while back I told you about an event I went to to celebrate the launch of Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio?  Well, it’s been a few weeks since the grand opening of this insta-perfect makeup studio and I was invited back in to take part in The Essentials group masterclass with Amanda Bell herself.  The class promises to deliver the basic essential makeup techniques to get the best out of your complexion, eyes and lips, with a focus on achieving a naturally enhanced look.  Sounds promising.

Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio View 1
Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio *THAT* Dresser
Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio View 2

I was asked to bring along my makeup, brushes and skincare, that’s right voyeurs, you use your own kit for this class so that you can master YOUR essentials, techniques and tricks that will work for you every time you come to apply your makeup.  I arrived with bags and bags of makeup, the associated paraphernalia and a bare face ready to hit the ground running.  You’ll remember from my previous post that the studio itself is on the attic floor of a building located on the super pretty high street in Norton, Teesside and it has some serious insta style credentials, from the silver and white decor to the illuminated mirrors, the scope for pictures to inspire envy in your followers is endless.

Back to class, we’re greeted by Amanda and her trademark laid back style, we’re allocated a dresser each with our own illuminated mirror and small pots of things like q-tips, cotton pads and spoolie brushes, it’s very well thought out, not surprising given Amanda’s 20 years in the industry.

Amanda Bell Makeup Studio My Makeup Kit 1
Pixie Tenenbaum, No Makeup
Amanda Bell Makeup Studio My Makeup Kit 2

Amanda takes us through some skin prep before we begin, we double cleanse, tone and moisturise before we talk primer.  After looking over our products and talking about the benefits of different types of primer, we get to work creating a flawless base for our makeup to sit on.  Once we’re clean and prepped we begin….

Foundation: we learn about the different types of coverage and what skin types they match with, I’m not a fan of anything heavy and usually stick with a light tinted moisturiser or BB cream.  My current favourite is one by Creme de la Mer and it blends seamlessly with my skin, Amanda tells me it’s a perfect match for my skin and I mentally assign myself one star.  The great thing about this class is that nobody is left behind, I’m pretty confident in applying my makeup but for anyone just starting out or looking to really hone their skills and increase their confidence, it’s a safe environment and you’re hand held through each stage.  At each change of product, Amanda uses one of us as a model and applies the product to half of the face whilst talking through why she adopts a particular technique, before we try it ourselves and the model matches the other side.  Amanda checks over everybody regularly offering tips and advice depending on your choice of product and chirps up with a “gorge” as her seal of approval.

Foundation
Foundation
Brows
Brows
Contouring
Contouring
Highlight
Highlight

She talks about concealer and how she prefers to skip foundation over the eyelids and uses concealer instead as the perfect eye base.  Although I buy it, I never use concealer so I’m particularly interested in this part and luckily for me, I’m selected as the model.  Amanda blends an Armani concealer around my nose, under eyes and eyelids and when I look in the mirror it’s completely invisible but one side of my face looks fresher, where the other reflects my true tired state but I manage to match it up pretty well.

When we move on to contouring, she tells us that it’s a trick that can be used to create pretty much any visual effect as long as you go easy.  The rest of the class use a variety of powder contouring palettes whereas I favour the Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate kit and that’s the beauty of this class; there are no products dictated, nobody tries to sell you anything, but if you’re not entirely happy with your own products, then Amanda is happy to make suggestions to help you achieve the best finish.

We’re guided through every aspect of creating the every day face, one step at a time and when we cover eyes everyone had a slightly different preference.  Amanda maintains that the principles are the same; colour should be used sparingly and built up rather than slicked on in one heavy stroke and we’re reminded to always tap excess powder off our brushes before applying anything with colour to avoid a potential strobing disaster.  With the class at two and a half hours long, Amanda factors in time to work with everyone on an individual basis and offers advice on the shades that best suit a certain eye colour, it’s a completely relaxed environment and the class is made up of women of differing ages and backgrounds, there’s no one set person type that the class is aimed at.

The idea of mastering The Essentials is that you take away new techniques to add to your arsenal, new ways of using your products to get the best out of them for your skin type or tone.  It’s as perfect  for teenagers looking to learn how to get to grips with makeup as it is for someone of my age and beyond, there’s something that everyone can take away from this class and use time and time again.  I’ve used the concealer trick since I took the class and I’ve even worn mascara a few times, something I don’t usually do due to my insanely long eyelashes and the mess it creates on my eyelids.

If you feel you’ve got The Essentials down then there’s a full suite of classes available, from beginners to advanced and there are also bespoke packages for those who have a particular look they’d like to recreate.  With the studio also available for private hire, you have the potential to score some serious brownie points in the way of birthday and bachelorette parties, I have two younger sisters who would crawl over each other to host an insta-worthy makeup party here with their squad and they’d be the talk of their class the next day.  It’s well worth checking out Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio and Amanda’s credentials are extensive so you know you’re in good hands.

Pixie xo

To book a place on any of the group Masterclasses which start at £75 per person, or to book a party or private session with Amanda Bell, email amanda@amanda-bell.co.uk

 

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Pixie Tenenbaum 2024

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Pixie Tenenbaum

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