A Bride in Wellies - April 2012

Bride: Adeline Keirle. (Adeline lives in Edinburgh and so didn't have a make-up trial. She sent me images of the look she wanted though and it went perfectly on the day!)
Make-up: Me
Wedding venue: Cripps Stone Barn, Aldsworth
Photographer:Ann-Kathrin Koch

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...simply beautiful...

© 2012 Ann-Kathrin Koch

Natalie, Bride, 22 April 2012, Ellenborough Park Hotel

"Thank-you for the fab make-up!" Natalie Benge, Bride

Indian wedding - getting ready TODAY (29th April 2012)

Lovely Priya Patel, I cannot wait to get the professional pics :-) Make-up by me ...

Cassie, lovely bride, March 2012

NATURAL BRIDAL MAKE-UP LOOK DONE BY ME :-)

6 Steps to Flawless Skin

Don’t over-do your skin care routine by using too many products or using too much too often. 

Here are my tips and 'natural' recommendations (I've included 2 non-natural products because their brilliance makes them too good to omit) to keep your skin immaculate this year.

TIP 1: Cleanse but don’t strip

It’s important to cleanse your skin of dirt, impurities and excess sebum BUT cleansing it too much is not good.  People with oily, combination and problem skins tend to over cleanse and exfoliate for ‘clean’ feeling skin.  This strips the skin of its natural oils, disturbing its regenerative processes, weakening its defenses and more often than not, resulting in an oiler, more acne prone complexion.   Regardless of skin type, ensure you use a gentle cleanser and only cleanse once daily, at the end of each day.

Recommended products

Oily, combination and problem skins: Eau Thermal Avenesoapless gel cleanser £8.25 (Boots) (not completely natural)

Normal, dry and mature skins: Body Shop Nutriganics FoamingFace Wash £8.00

TIP 2: Exfoliate but don’t scrub

Always choose a gentle exfoliating product.   Stay away from sparse large beads as these will tear the surface of your skin. Instead, opt for a product with lots of tiny beads, massaging it gently around the skin in small circular motions no more than once/week. 

Recommended products

Oily, combination and problem skins: Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliator £8 (not completely natural)

Normal, dry and mature skins: Neal’s Yard RemediesRehydrating Rose Facial Polish £14.80

TIP 3: Protect and hydrate

A moisturiser used daily (in the morning) will hydrate and plump your skin, ensuring a soft, smooth and supple complexion.  Parts of a moisturizer will also sit on your skins surface, protecting it from the winter elements – cold weather, wind, heating etc.  

Those with dry and mature skins tend to lather on moisturizing creams, lotions and serums like there’s no tomorrow.  This can make the skin ‘lazy’ and if you miss a day’s application, your skin will likely suffer immediately.  A thick consistency doesn’t necessarily mean a good product.  First and foremost, opt for quality ingredients where a little goes a long way.

Recommended products

Oily, combination and problem skins: Lavera Calendular Balancing Cream £11.50 (Pravera)

Normal, dry and mature skins: Neal’s Yard RemediesFrankincense Nourishing Cream £20

TIP 4: Nourish and repair

Facials oils are a new and revolutionary addition to the skincare market.  Although the word ‘oil’ can be daunting, oils mimic the skin’s natural sebums, penetrating deeply into the lower layers of skin providing intense nourishment and alleviating skin issues like ageing, oiliness an acne.  Packed full of essential fatty acids, using the right oil for your skin type is magic and you will quickly reap incredible benefits.

Recommended products

Sophie Chamings Skincare Facial oils £19 – www.sophiechamings.co.uk/products.htm

TIP 5: Water inside and out

Drinking plenty of water each day will have a huge impact on what your skin feels and looks and like, promoting a ‘healthy glow’. Not only does water flush toxins from the body, minimizing the risk of those toxins being expelled through the skin as acne but it also reduces dry areas and premature ageing by supporting the production of elastin. 

  

TIP 6: Treat your skin

A regular facial (every 4-6 weeks) will give your skin a boost of what it needs – purifying, hydrating, soothing, nourishing or anti-ageing – essential for a five-star complexion.  An window of deep relaxation, facials also give you the chance to seek professional advice to ensure you are getting the most from your skincare routine.

Recommended

My Luxury Facial treatments £40

www.sophiechamings.co.uk

sophie@sophiechamings.co.uk

07734 994783

Beautiful Summer Bride, Jade 2011

Make-up - Sophie Chamings (me and my lovely assistant Amy Norvill)
Beautiful photos - Susie Mackie
Venue - Hampton Court, Herefordshire, the most gorgeous venue ever!
Blushing Bride: Jade Wallis, Summer 2011

Choosing your perfect shade of red lipstick

Essential for every make-up bag is a red lipstick as it never dates. But with a million different shades and finishes, how do you find the right one for you?

Wearing the wrong colour red will make your complexion look dull, tired and worn out. On the other hand, wearing the right shade of red will bring your face to life, making your skin look radiant and your eyes shine!

When it comes to choosing your perfect colour, it's all about the undertones in your skin. Are you cool or warm? If you don't know, take this brilliant color quiz to find out, returning here afterwards to see what suits you with my favourite red lipsticks this season ...

Warm tones
If you're warm with olive or yellow undertones to your skin and you look best in earthy tones like mustard, terracotta, coral, olive green and rust, look for lipsticks in vibrant shades of red with yellow or orange undertones also. My favourites this season are:

• Christian Dior, Dolce Vita Red, No 14 £21.50
• Revlon, Super Lustrous Lippy, Really Red, No 900 £7.49

Cool tones
If you're cool with pinkish or reddish undertones and you look best in cool shades such as pinks, blues, teals and purples (mainly jewel tones), you'll look best in reds that are blue-based/fuschia in their colouring. Don't worry, the blue doesn't show up, it's just a slight undertone that makes your red most flattering for you. A blue toned lipstick will make your teeth look whiter! My favourites this season are:

• Christian Dior Diorific Lipstick, Roulette Red, No 13 £21.50
• Revlon, Super Lustrous Lippy, Red, No 730 £7.49

Tips:
Choose your clothes around your lipstick, not the other way around
If you have thin lips, always wear a matt lipstick
If you feel your lipstick is too bright, apply it lightly with a balm on top for just a hint of red
Use a lipliner first for longer wear
Keep the rest of your make-up minimal
Guerlain's KissKiss Lip lift creates the perfect lipstick base

My make-up lessons create the perfect opportunity to find out more tips like the above to ensure you make the most of yourself with your make-up. Less is more and by choosing exactly the right shades for your colouring, a little will go a long way! Contact me on sophie@sophiechamings.co.uk or 07734 994783 to book.

Brighten a dull Autumn complexion

A dry/dull complexion is a common complaint in Autumn when the temperature drops and skin suffers as a result. When skin is dry/dull, it is usually screaming out for a little extra nourishment; it needs protecting from the cold weather and supporting to repair itself more quickly.

I spend hours researching and sampling natural skincare products to see if they really are as good as they claim. Unfortunately, many are not but occasionally I encounter a little treasure that has truly amazing effects on the skin. So, I've put together a few of my top recommendations for Autumn below which will keep your skin supple, nourished and radiant ...

Cleanser Cleanse once daily in the evening to remove skin of impurities. Use a cream or lotion instead of a wash to keep skin nourished. My favourite:
Skin Blossom gentle cleansing milk 150ml £5.05









Moisturiser Use every morning and evening to hydrate, nourish and protect the skin. My favourite: Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Nourishing Cream 50g £20






Eye Cream Use every morning and evening to provide nourishment and moisture to the delicate eye area. My favourite: Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream 15ml £13







Exfoliater Use once weekly to remove dead skin cells and brighten complexion. My favourites: Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm 50ml £46, very expensive but oh, so worth it!
Neal's Yard Remedies Nourishing Orange Flower Facial Polish 100g £14.80, a cheaper but still 'worth-it' option :-)


My Luxury Facial treatment for dull, dry or mature skin uses the purest oils from evening primrose flowers, apricot kernels and macadamia nuts to deeply nourish and hydrate thirsty skin. Rosehip seed and sea buckthorn oils stimulate cells to regenerate themselves, creating a smoother, brighter and more radiant complexion.

If you'd like to book this lovely treatment, contact me on 07734 994783 or sophie@sophiechamings.co.uk to book your ideal time.

Melanie Cheng - bride - April 2011

Bride: Melanie Cheng (was Melanie Maylen)
(Melanie is now pregnant with their 2nd child!)
Make-up done by: ME
Photographs taken by: Simon Donnelly

My top five summer make-up products

Every now and then I find products that are well-worth shouting about and the following fall into that scrumptuous category. They are beautiful quality, look amazing on the skin and are easy to use - what more could us girlies want?

Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisturiser £29.50
Sheer, natural and lasts all day. Great for all skin types. Where to buy: You'll need to go in-store to choose the right shade, find your nearest stockist here or you can buy it online here.

Bare Minerals Navy Eyeliner - Midnight £13
A beautiful shade of navy blue, soft in consistency and a great alternative to black/brown for all eye colours. Where to buy: House of Fraser, Cheltenham or online here.

Christian Dior Addict Lipstick (864) £22
A sheer, glossy lipstick - plumping, hydrating and a beautiful peach shade that suits everyone. Where to buy: House of Fraser or online here.

Nars Blusher - Orgasm £20.50
A georgous coral shade - warm and perfect for radiant summer skin. Where to buy: Space NK, Cheltenham or online here.

YSL Eyebrow Pencil £18
Comes in a range of lovely, natural shades - utterly foolproof when used. Where to buy: You'll need to go in-store to choose your perfect shade - House of Fraser, Cheltenham. Or, you can buy it online here.

Personal 'Make-up' Shopping

Are you baffled by the masses of make-up on the market?

Have you bought a fabulous product in the shops, only to get it home and realise that it's actually a complete mistake?

Millions of women waste money on make-up that isn't right. So, I'm launching a 'Personal Shopping Make-up Service' - time spent in the shops helping you to buy EXACTLY THE RIGHT make-up products for you!

Whether you're shopping on a budget, looking for natural ingredients, exploring just one element of make-up or a complete look, we can explore brands and products galore. You'll learn what's right and why, save money buying products that look great and pick up heaps of tips and tricks about applying it along the way!

Get in touch (sophie@sophiechamings.co.uk; 07734 994783) and we can make a shopping plan especially for you. Sessions are offered on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, I'll meet you somewhere convenient in Cheltenham, prices are as follows: 1 hour £60, 2 hours £110.

'Must Have' Make-up Brushes

I've created a list of 'must-have' brushes for your make-up kit from which you can pick and choose depending on the make-up you wear. Buying them in the shops can be pretty expensive and although investing is well worth it, I would recommend seeing what you can source on ebay first!

Using the right make-up brushes is key to creating a beautiful make-up look, ensuring it is soft, blended and flawless.

Large Powder Brush for applying bronzer/powder
Clinique True Bronze Brush £20.50, Boots
Lancome Powder Brush £27, Boots

Small Powder Brush for applying blusher
Clinique Blush Brush £15, Boots

Eyeshadow Applicator Brush for applying eyeshadow
MAC Shader Brush £18, MAC

Eyeshadow Blending Brush for blending eyeshadow into the socket
Space NK Smudge Brush £22, Space NK

Foundation Brush for applying foundation
Lancome Foundation Brush £26, Boots

Eyebrow Brush for defining eyebrows
MAC Eyebrow Brush £15, MAC

Eyeliner Brush for applying/perfecting/softening eyeliner
MAC Eyeliner Brush £14, MAC

Blushing Bride, Melanie Sinclair, Summer 2010

Just one of the lovely brides that I did the make-up for in 2010 ...