A Very Berry Christmas!

There's something quite alluring about a rich berry colour on the lips and a nice change from the traditional pillar box red pout we tend to opt for during party season.

Some people shy away from darker hues on their lips as they feel they can be quite harsh or unflattering but there are plenty of sumptuous berry lipstick and lipgloss textures and shades around to flatter all skin tones.

The key to rocking a darker lip is to keep the skin flawless and more matte/satin than dewy with this look, add some light contouring to the cheek bones and define the eyes with mascara , eyeliner and if you insist on eyeshadow then make it a light smoky eye, nothing too dark or bold. The star of this look is the lipstick so you don't want to upset the balance with overly strong eye makeup. Do remember though to shape your brows and fill them in where needed as to work a strong lip your brows need to be on point!

Start by making sure your lips are smooth and free from dead skin by buffing with a damp muslin cloth or flannel and applying a hydrating, but non greasy lip balm such as Elemis Minty Moisture Lip Balm then blot off any excess with a tissue. Next take a lip liner in a similar shade or slightly darker, to your chosen lipstick and gently outline your lips with this. A good trick to keep your hand steady, and the outline even is to rest your elbow on a hard surface when you apply the lip liner. Don't press too hard or go too far over your natural lip line although you can certainly accentuate your Cupid's bow and slightly go over your top lip line if you have a less full top lip as darker colours can sometimes make lips look thinner than they are, but doing this will keep your lips looking plump and kissable.

Here is a selection of the best berry lipstick and lipgloss shades to suit your skin tone and flatter whatever your age.

Go on let out your inner vamp and dare to try something different!

For porcelain to fair skin tones - Burberry Lip Velvet in Bright Poppy is a velvety matte long wear densely pigmented formula which will look divine on porcelain or fair skin tones.

For Olive skin tones to light Asian skin tones-Tom Ford Lip Colour in Bruised Plum is the most sublimely alluring berry shade containing rare and exotic ingredients including Soja Seed Extract, Brazilian MuruMuru Butter and Chamomilla Flower Oil which create an ultra creamy texture and an incredibly smooth application. 

For Asian to Afro Caribbean Skin Tones- Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Crushed Cherry is a gorgeous long wearing, enriching gel textured lipgloss that looks incredible on darker skin tones.

Some other favourites for are:

Delilah Cosmetics Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Vintage which provides a soft, creamy feel with a silky matte effect. It is enriched with spherical polymers that provide a velvety feeling for easy glide-on application and vitamin E.

MAC Cosmetics Amorous for a softer take on the berries, which MAC describe it as a "Lovestruck Cranberry"! Amorous is from MAC’s Satin line — a semi-matte, pigmented and long-wearing formula.

Armani Cosmetics- Rouge D'Armani Sheer Lipstick in Bitten which is a creamy texture, feather-light and translucent and provides over 8 hours of hydration to lips.

All the brands mentioned can be purchased at Selfridges in store or online http://selfridges.com

Delilah Cosmetics can be purchased from their website http://delilahcosmetics.com

 

Beautiful Burberry!

I'm not sure what magic ingredient Burberry use in their Fresh Glow BB Cream and Fresh Glow Foundation but by golly does it do what it says on the tin.

In all my life as a beauty junky and makeup artist I can honestly say I've never come across such glorious super light texture in a foundation or BB Cream, but with enough coverage and luminosity in it to give you skin of a fresh faced teen.

It's so wonderful knowing that even if I've not had a lot of sleep, which has much been the case over the past few weeks with a busy work schedule, that I can apply either of these wondrous products in the morning and within seconds my skin looks like I've had a full eight hours sleep, is glowing and youthful but hardly looks like I'm wearing any base because it's texture is as light as a feather. I'm seriously addicted.

If you're not a fan of a dewy finish and prefer a matte look this might not be for you but for those who love that finish I implore you to try these as you definitely will be impressed- forget injectables these two products take years off! The foundation gives slightly more coverage than the BB Cream but overall the glow you get is exactly the same with either, it just depends how much coverage you may like or need on your skin.

If like me you prefer a concealer than banishes imperfections but is virtually undetectable and doesn't sit in lines and look cakey then you'll love the Burberry Sheer Concealer which has a built in brush and that you just click once to dispense the product. It has a special light-reflecting formula that acts as a highlighter and concealer in one. Once applied this just blends in perfectly so it looks like your skin is even and free from dark circles and blemishes but you cannot see any traces that you've used a concealer. What's not to love! If you have severe acne scarring or extremely dark circles this may be a little sheer however it is buildable so you can layer to get the desired coverage.

The Effortless Kohl Eyeliners are sublime and take after their name. They glide on effortlessly with a velvety texture and the pigment is incredible .One stroke gets you a rich deep, true colour without the need to build up. The formula is waterproof for durability and can be smudged for a smokey look. A nice added bonus is that the retractable tip has a built-in sharpener. My favourite shade is the Storm Grey.

If you love a good nude (and by that I mean a nude lipstick!) then you'll love the Lip Cover in Nude Beige. It really is the 'perfect' nude shade and suits most skin tones. The formula consists of nourishing oils and gel dispersed pigment which ensures lots of hydration to your lips and makes the colour longer lasting. To give you the perfect pout this also contains anti-ageing ceramides for fuller lip definition. What's not to love!

The Complete Eye Palettes 

are a quartet of densely pigmented, coordinating eye colours.Each palette contains a base highlighter, two medium colours , and a darker colour to use as a liner. The shadows glide on beautifully and they are skin loving too as the formula is blended with satin smooth silicones and enriching conditioners. A great everyday palette to choose is the Mocha which will suit all eye colours and skin tones.

I could wax lyrical about the Burberry Makeup range from the luxe, innovative packaging including the cool, minimalistic boxes each piece comes in, to the textures and pigments of the products but why not try for yourself by ordering online at  https://uk.burberry.com I'm convinced you'll be mightily impressed!

Luscious Looking Lashes!

They're a girl's secret weapon , they can be used to get her own way , get herself out of trouble and get helpless boys to tend to her every whim.

I am of course talking about eyelashes . . sometimes all a girl has to do is flutter her lashes in a demure , beguiling way and otherwise hardy men just melt and give in to whatever the girl in question may be demanding.

Great lashes can make us look more youthful, feminine and open up narrow or tired looking eyes.

Now with such a great secret weapon we must keep our lashes looking tip top and I will share with you my all time favourite treatments that'll have everyone cooing at how gorgeous they look, not to mention putty in your hands!

My own lashes are long but poker straight and were quite fine until I started using RapidLash , an amazing serum that uses cosmetic ingredients to help promote the appearance of healthier looking natural lashes and brows. It is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, cruelty free, Paraben and fragrance free and safe for contact lens wearers like myself. I first started using this serum two years ago, a few months before my wedding, so that they looked great on the day, without the need for extensions and was amazed and delighted with the results.

I applied it daily, just before I went to bed, along my top lash line ( the same place as you'd apply a liquid eyeliner ) with the fine brush in the tube and ensured my lashes were completely clean and dry first. They take a couple of minutes to dry and you can also apply on your brows too if they have sparse patches in them where the hair refuses to grow. After several weeks I noticed a difference - my lashes were thicker, longer and more curly than straight, which they'd always been. The longer I used it the healthier, shinier , thicker and longer they became and I had so many comments from friends and strangers including beauticians who didn't think they were my own lashes. I have gone through periods where I haven't applied it for a few months and my lashes started to go back to how they were before so you do have to continue using to get the results but at £39.99 rrp a tube it is well worth it because it lasts for about 4-5 months. Once you get the desired results, which you'll start to see after about 6 weeks, you can use 3-4 times a week instead of every day just to maintain.

I would thoroughly recommend this product if you have short, fine or sparse lashes you'll be really pleased with the results!

RapidLash say: RapidLash® Eyelash Enhancing Serum is specifically designed to help improve the appearance of fuller-looking eyelashes. Utilizing our exclusive Hexatein™1 Complex, RapidLash® targets the eyelash needs from every angle: from moisturizing factors and nourishment, to boosting the appearance of more voluminous-looking lashes. The clinical studies indicate an improvement in the appearance of lash length by up to 50% and in the appearance of lash volume by up to 75%.

The second treatment that I am absolute hooked on is called LVL Lashes ( this stands for Length, Volume and Lift ) by Nouveau Lashes. It is the first non-invasive lash treatment that offers an alternative to using mascara and extensions by enhancing your own natural lashes without damaging them in any way. It thickens , lengthens , curls and darkens your lashes and the results last about 6 weeks. I have been regularly visiting salon owner Sandra Sheikh at beautiful salon Ibrows etc ( 16 Seymour Place W1H ) for the LVL Lash treatment for the past 10 months and now cannot live without it! The treatment takes about 45 minutes where you lay on a comfortable therapist bed with a cushion underneath your head and neck. They use a disc instead of a roller to curl the lashes and there are 3 sizes of discs to choose from depending on the lift you wish to get, ranging from subtle to super lifted. A special volumising solution is applied to lashes which swells them to at least double their thickness and also a tint which gives depth to fairer lashes or lashes that are lighter at the ends from the sun, etc. When I look in the mirror after the treatment I'm always amazed at how fantastic my lashes look even though I've had it done many times! They're beautifully lifted, separated , full and glossy as though I'm wearing the world's best mascara, except the beauty of this treatment is that I don't need to wear mascara at all once I've had this done, which saves me precious time in the mornings and getting it off at the end of the day. I've never enjoyed wearing mascara particularly as it can flake , make my contact lenses dry and itchy and is a pain to remove so this is such a great option for me. If however you are a mascara lover and won't be without it, fear not you can still wear after having this done (after the initial 12 hours because it's still developing during that period).

I find I need less eye makeup and when I wake up in the mornings I look more wide eyed , awake and fresh even if I've not had a lot of sleep or risen early and my lashes do not feel dry or damaged in any way so you don't need to leave any down time after the 6 weeks before booking in for another LVL Lash treatment. I could rave on about this treatment for ages or I could just show you a before and after of my lashes after my last treatment and you can see for yourself , I cannot recommend this enough if your lashes are straight , fine or fair or all of the above!

The third product that I've noticed a real difference using is the LVL Eyelash Conditioning Serum. I started using it just over 2 months ago and I find it really helps to keep my lashes well conditioned and the treatment lasting longer . It's special formula coats and seals each eyelash, which locks in moisture and it makes my lashes look really shiny and healthy. I apply twice a day as recommended, it's got a curved wand which helps to really get into the lashes and separate them  and is a brilliant primer for mascara or to use just on it's own. We use serum on our hair to make it look and feel glossy, conditioned and smooth so why not on our lashes which are washed twice a day when we cleanse our face and are slept on,,rubbed and all sorts things that can dry or weaken them. They definitely benefit from some TLC and you'll notice a difference.

I'd love to hear your results and see your photos from trying any or all of the above because I know how they've changed my lashes from so so to wow!

 

 

Wax On, Wax Off

What does every mother tell their daughter when they hit puberty ?? "Darling don't make the same mistake as I did and shave your legs because they'll grow back thicker and  feel horrible and prickly. You'll really regret it!" 

Right?? That's what my mum said to me and what all my friend's mothers beseeched them, followed by "I'll book a leg wax for you at a salon and get it done properly. You'll thank me". 

And did we listen? Did we heck! No, as soon as those unsightly hairs appeared on our shins we went straight down to Boots, against our mother's better judgement, and bought the razor we'd seen in the tv ad with the girl with the long, lean, tanned limbs, convinced that using it would somehow transform our legs not only to silkily smooth but to those of the models. Our heart racing at the till at the excitement of doing something we weren't meant to be doing and feeling all grown up, just like the time we were bought our first bra. We raced home, the Boots bag stuffed inside our school bag (lest our mothers should suspect what we were up to) with the razor and the last minute decision shaving foam inside, desperate to lock ourself in the bathroom and get on with the task.

Some girls were blessed enough to have fair hair that one could hardly notice and others cursed with thick, black, coarse hairs that screamed to be removed-I fell somewhere in between these two camps-but whatever we were given we were determined it was going to go!

So having lathered up the thick white foam all over our shins (and some were bold enough to go above the knee onto the thigh) we copied what we'd seen in the razor tv ad and did big sweeping upward movements with the razor, yelping slightly as we inevitably nicked the skin in parts, until all the shaving foam had gone. A quick rinse and a pat dry and a dollop of moisturiser later and beneath our fingertips were silky, smooth, hair free legs! Wow, they felt and looked amazing! We were almost tempted to run into the living room and declare our mothers feel our smooth leg but quickly remembered that she'd be furious and just sat admiring them for an age ,thinking how we couldn't wait to tell our friends at school the next day.

Within the next couple of days the hair grew back prickly and darker and eventually we told our mothers what we'd done who then gave us the "I told you so" lecture but by then it was too late and we were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Shave every day to keep the silky smoothness or grow out and then go and get them waxed. But what teenage girl could go through the embarrassment of letting them grow out, particularly if we'd begun the shaving process in summer when we wouldn't be able to hide the hairiness under the obligatory opaque school tights. So the chore of having to shave every day commenced and we rued the day we ever bought the damned razor and wished we'd paid heed to our mother's advice.

This went on for a few years until epilators became all the trend and they sounded like the perfect solution. Weeks of hair free, smooth legs sounded like heaven, all done in the comfort of your own home with no costly salon visits. My mother had bought one (I cannot recall which brand it was) and suggested I try it. Well I certainly was not prepared for the utter pain that ensued!! It was like getting a fine blade and rapidly jabbing it into my skin over and over-horrendous is an understatement! I couldn't finish even half a shin, it was so painful and that swiftly put an end to any hopes of perching elegantly on the edge of a chair and gliding an epilator along my legs in a dainty fashion whenever the hairs reared their ugly heads, without having to spend a bean (after the initial lay out obviously which I recall being quite considerable at the time) or leave the house.

Since then I have had varying experiences waxing -from slick in and out jobs at nice salons including the strip wax treatment at Urban Retreat in Harrods, to regularly visiting Katherine Jenkin's personal waxer , to tea tree waxes-I've never had a sugar or chocolate wax mind you, although I'm sure they would smell heavenly! I've been in salons that shouldn't really be in the beauty business, one salon in particular  springs to mind, a small beauty parlour in Oregon, Washington State where the therapist (or should I say butcherer) did a horrific job of trying to wax my legs that it nearly put me off waxing for life. I've been surrounded by countless bits of cloth and towels on the floor of my living room for almost two hours, repeatedly having to heat a pot of wax I'd bought from Sally's Beauty Supplies, a million times in the microwave because it never got quite hot enough. After all that I couldn't even reach the backs of my legs! On the whole though I must say I find waxing relatively quick and painless and I've found a good therapist and salon locally ago who charge £12 for half a leg wax which I think is pretty good going. The down side is that I don't always have time to get to an appointment. 

The perfect solution to my lack of free time would you believe, is epilating. Yes, after my horrendous experience as a teenager I never thought I'd be saying these words but a few years ago I happened to be watching a show on the QVC Shopping Channel, while I was in the studio for another show, and there waxing lyrical (no pun intended) about an Emjoi Total Concept Epilator were two female presenters and a model demoing the product. The main consensus that they kept repeating time after time was that it wasn't as painful as the epilators of the Nineties used to be and how it was so quick and easy to do yourself at home. Plus it came with a very reasonable price tag of £29.99. They had me convinced I needed this in my life so I rang up the number on the screen and days later this little baby did in fact change my life. It sounds a bit dramatic but it had exactly the same results as waxing ie I could go for 6-8 weeks between using, my legs felt smooth afterwards and the hairs grew back finer , it was slightly uncomfortable but certainly very bearable after a shower when my pores were open. But the main beauty of it was that I could do this at ANYTIME or any place which was fantastic for someone who was always working and couldn't keep salon appointments. I have taken this away with me, used in my bathroom, bedroom, hotel room, sun lounger (no one else was there!) and outside on the terrace. It takes 20 minutes (if you're really anal about getting every last hair like me) per leg, is small enough and lightweight enough to carry and takes just 2 AA batteries.

So to summarise (yes I am aware I have waffled on somewhat) I would say waxing and epilating both have equally good results but one is for when I have time to go to a salon and the other is for when I don't. It's that simple and if like me you are a busy bee and barely have time to tie your shoes laces let alone sit in a salon then I would go online now and order an epilator! It'll change your life.

My , My , My Delilah. . .

My, My, My Delilah... With so many makeup brands saturating the market it's easy to get confused when you're so spoilt for choice but every so often a brand comes along that really impresses.

The starting point is the name which means seductive or beguiling. The name Delilah is best known for the woman who used her beauty to enchant Samson and conjures up an attitude of beauty,strength and self-assurance. The line was born out of a friendship between Rupert Kingston whose background is as a makeup artist and Creative Director , Hannah Nicholson formerly a beauty buyer specialising in product development and noted photographer Julia White. They were driven by the lack of boutique British brands and inspired by an abundance of quintessentially English influences.

It had me when I first glimpsed sight of it's pretty but oh so chic blush pink packaging and when I curiously peered inside the contents of the boxes I was delighted to see the luxe pewter grey and rose gold cases that any girl would be proud to show off. The blushers, with names like Lullaby and Clementine, come enveloped in beautiful mink coloured velvety pouches as do the luxurious feeling makeup brushes which adds even more decadence.

It's not just a case (no pun intended!) of all style and no substance however, as not only do these products look pleasing to the eye but they are also a pleasure to use. I will share with you my favourite pieces that I tried from the collection.

For starters I am forever searching for the perfect eyebrow pencil , one that isn't too warm in tone or too dark and that has staying power- I think I may have finally found it.Their brow liner "Brow Line" is a retractable pencil with a built in brush that glides on effortlessly , delivers the right amount of pigment (neither too dark nor too light) , is the perfect ash brown (ideal for those who don't want too much warmth in their brows) and stays on all day without smudging. I used colour Ash. I even wore this in a very hot climate whilst on holiday and it didn't slide off at all like a lot of other brow liners do. Another plus is that this is paraben free.

Secondly, I must confess I am a little bit in love with their "Time Frame Future Resist Foundation" which gives a finish liken to that of a tinted moisturiser rather than a foundation and has a fresh , dewy look that enhances skin rather than masking it. I used the shade Maple as I am tanned from Summer . Now I am a huge fan of the Laura Mercier (Non Oil Free) Tinted Moisturiser but unbelievably (I say this as to date I hadn't found anything I liked quite as much) I think this pips it to the post. I prefer the coverage this gives and the shade on my skin is spot on whereas I have to mix 2 shades of the LM Tinted Moisturiser. The Delilah foundation has a broad spectrum SPF of 20 , contains powerful antioxidants Vitamins A and E not to mention being packed with skin loving peptides to prevent the signs of ageing . I call this smart makeup. I like products that are hard working and benefit your skin whilst you're wearing them.

Last but not least I adore the "Colour Intense Cream Lipstick" which has such a rich , velvety , well pigmented finish and glides on so beautifully. This must be down to the spherical polymers and Vitamin E that the formula is enriched with. It's rare to find a lipstick that doesn't dry out the delicate skin on the lips after reapplying through the day but this genuinely keeps them hydrated and soft. The shades I tried are 'Grace' , the perfect everyday soft rose pink (the best I've found) , 'Whisper' a fantastic nude shade that's not too pale ,which can be quite draining on the complexion and 'Brink' a pretty pink , a little brighter than 'Grace' which adds a pop of colour to a natural makeup look and will flatter most skin tones.

These products will now definitely be a staple in my makeup bag , so if you like the sound of this newbie on the market , and I guarantee you will love the range as much as I do, then you can buy online at delilahcosmetics.com and if you want to try before you buy visit Chelsea salon to the stars Richard Ward , Chuan Spa at The Langham Hotel , London , House Of Beauty in Wiltshire and The Spa At Hornby , Northallerton.

Before and After. . .

I decided to post a Before and After photo taken on my phone (with no filter or retouching) of this evening's bridal trial client for those of you who are scared to wear a lot of makeup and want a natural look but with definition to bring out your features.

My client told me that she never wears any makeup just a bit of powder but looks beautiful with a little more than that to bring out her lovely blue eyes and great cheekbones. 

To create flawless skin on this evening's bridal trial client I prepped the skin by smoothing primer Matte by MAC all over the face , then followed with Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream which gives enough coverage but still allows the skin to show through without masking it. I used MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW15 on blemishes and under the eyes mixed with a little No. 7 Quick Cover Concealer in 02 Extra Fair. I then dusted MAC Pro Invisible Powder all over to set the makeup and mattify the skin . I used MAC's Desert Rose Blusher on the apples of the cheeks and filled in the brows with MAC Eyebrow pencil in Fling. On the eyelids I used MAC Brûlé a matte cream shadow all over the lid up to under the brows and Stila eyeshadow in the light metallic grey shade, from the Smoky Eye Quad Palette on the lids . I framed the eyes which are blue using a fine liner brush and Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Black (better than MAC's Blacktrack & Bobbi Brown Gel Liner) and NYC Skyrise Mascara in Black perfect one for natural looking ,separated lashes which is what my client wanted . To define the lips I used my favourite No. 7 lip liner in Nude that suits 90% of people and filled in with a mixture of pink/peach/nude lipsticks by No. 7, MAC &Illamasqua et voila all finished 💗

✨Shower Heaven✨

Despite been quite happy to splurge on shoes, serums or face creams I never could grasp the idea of spending a lot on a shower gel. Until that is , I was given a Birthday gift of Neals Yard Organic Shower Gels which smelt so sublime , made my skin feel as soft as a baby's and the heavenly aroma of essential oils filled my bathroom and home with the most uplifting intoxicating scents. From that moment forth I was hooked . The selection I was given was the Sensual Jasmine , Rosemary and Elderflower Shower Gels and English Lavender Bath & Shower Gel and I tell you I would not go back to the Palmolive Honey and Milk shower gel , that I used to like , for all the tea in China.

Knowing I'm cleansing my body with a cleanser which does not test on animals , is free from parabens, silicones, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances , phthalates or other nasties makes me feel so much happier than using one full of chemicals when my skin is wet and my pores are open which in my mind cannot be good for you. All three of the shower gels contain certified organic ingredients, carry the leaping bunny logo and the Good Shopping Guide Ethical Company Logo. The sensual Jasmine also contains Fairtrade ingredients, and the English Lavender is suitable for vegans.

I use each one depending on my mood and how my body feels as they are packed with organic essential oils that can relax or energise me depending on what I need most.

In the morning when I'm half asleep and my body feels stiff and needs a real kick start I use the Rosemary and Elderflower Shower Gel, for no sooner than I've enhaled it's intoxicating scent and massaged it into my skin I'm suddenly a different person and ready to take on the day. The stimulating Rosemary, Lemon and Pine essential oils invigorate my entire body and the herbal infusions of Chamomile and elderflower help to make my skin feel hydrated and smooth unlike some synthetic shower gels that can really strip and dry the skin.

In the evenings , particularly in the cold Winter months , I simply adore using the English Lavender Bath and Shower Gel in a hot running bath to soothe tired muscles and totally de stress me after a busy day. The scent immediately relaxes and calms me and a good night of sleep ensues. Neals Yard say "Enjoy a skin-softening shower or a fragrant, relaxing bath infused with the aroma of organically grown English lavender - a much softer scent than its French cousin - enriched with skin-soothing extracts of organic chamomile and oat. Our English lavender is organically grown and tended by hand on a family farm on the rolling hills of Hampshire." This one is such a pleasure to use that I'm almost looking forward to Autumn so I can luxuriate in the bath of an evening, eyes closed , in utter bliss.

The scent of the Sensual Jasmine Shower Gel is reminiscent of a Summer's eve and will envelop you in a soothing , comforting aroma and leave your body gently fragranced with the essential oils of Jasmine and Ylang Ylang not to mention Egyptian Jasmine and Madagascan Ylang Ylang flowers. The Fairtrade honey and Rooibus only serve to make skin feel silky smooth and even forgo the usual slathering of Cocoa Butter afterwards.

I am a convert to using organic shower gels , these ones in particular. The pleasure I from indulging in these gorgeous products and knowing how kind they are to my skin make the price tag worth every penny-they make showering and bathing an almost spa like experience and what girl doesn't love that. . .

Available from Neals Yard stores, on their website and in John Lewis.

The RRP for the English Lavender and Rosemary and Elderflower Shower Gels is £9.75 and £14 for the Sensual Jasmine.

I like to use these with an exfoliating sponge to slough of dead skin cells whilst showering .  

You Glow Girl- 8 Steps To Radiant Skin

Finding your skin looks dull and lacklustre no matter how many lotions and potions and eye watering ly expensive serums you religiously slather on? Craving that dewy glow that you envy in women that seem to wear little more than a smudge of BB/CC cream and look like a fresh faced teen?
My guess would be that you miss out one simple step , albeit the most important step , of your skincare routine. . exfoliation.
Dead skin cells are the main cause of dull looking skin, and in order to eradicate those pesky glow inhibitors ,  I'll share with you my all time favourite products and how I use them , that will have you begging for summer to last forever, so that you can confidently bare all in nothing more than a tinted moisturiser or BB cream.
Once or twice a week (time permitting) I dedicate a good half an hour or more in the evening to my glow getting routine. I begin by double cleansing , even if I am makeup free , with the heavenly scented and gorgeously textured Rodial Glamtox Cleansing Balm and muslin cloth to prep my skin. I then dab my face dry and commence my exfoliation by applying Guinot Gommage Biologique Biological Peeling Radiance Gel, which contains fruit acids and green tea, in a firm circular motion all over the face and the under eye area , until the gel liquifies. I then remove thoroughly with warm water soaked facial sponges , dry my face and follow with a second exfoliation using the amazing Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel which literally makes blackheads disappear before your very eyes , as if by magic. I remove by splashing warm and then cool water over my face and gently dab my face dry and looking back in the mirror my skin looks as smooth as marble. It's polished , refined and blackhead free. Now my skin is prepped for my masks, serum and moisturiser to work much harder. I then paint on , with a clean foundation brush , Doctor Organic Rose Otto Face Mask which in their words (and I most definitely concur) "This nutrient rich clay based formulation draws oil from the pores while ridding the skins surface of dead cells and impurities stimulating the circulation deep into the capillaries to leave the skin younger in appearance, toned, regenerated and purified." I leave on whilst pottering about for 10 minutes , then remove with 2 facial sponges saturated in warm water. Again my skin looks even more refined and ready for the final step which is the jewel in the crown. It is the most radiance creating mask I've used and I've tried many, it is Guinot's Masque Essentiel Nutrition Confort. I've just read on www.jerseybeautycompany.co.uk that is has won Best Radiance Mask for 3 consecutive years and I can definitely see why . With it's heavenly scented essential oils, vitamin E and menthol and lavender it softens , brightens and makes you  look like you've had 10 hours sleep even if you've had 5. If my peepers are looking tired I also apply Guinot Masque Yeux a deliciously cooling gel that reduces puffiness, dark circles and refreshes the delicate skin around the eyes. I leave both on for about 10-15 minutes , and again use facial sponges that have been immersed in warm water , to thoroughly remove. To ensure there is no residue I soak two cotton pads in Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, which smells incredible and refreshes like no other toner I've used, and sweep over my face and eyes on both sides of the pads. I then either massage in a facial oil or a serum (my favourites being Neals Yard Organic Orange Flower Facial Oil , Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment or Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum) , dab on a lifting eye cream like Guinot Longue Vie Yeux and massage in a moisturiser that I'm currently loving , Philosophy's Miracle Worker Moisturiser which firms and hydrates and is packed with vitamin C, Glutathione, Resveratrol and lots of wonderful anti aging antioxidants.
The difference in my skin before and after this routine is immense , and although it may seem like a real effort , your skin will definitely thank you and the change you will see shall encourage you to keep it up. Regardless of your budget it is so important to exfoliate and rid your skin of the dead cells that will stop your lotions and potions working to the best of their ability . So put aside that special you time and get scrubbing! I look forward to hearing all the compliments you are most certainly going to be inundated with. All brands mentioned are available online and in selected salons and stores. Some favourite high street ranges are La Roche Posay (for super sensitive skin) and Superfacialist by Una Brennan both available at Boots.com.