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 .