Mask Narratives

This series was influenced by my 10,000 word Photography Degree dissertation entitled "A Perspective of Modern Narrative Photography". I explored the themes of identity and disguise using a range of masks to create open-ended narratives. The deliberate play on stereotypes and social conventions allows the viewer to conjure up their own thoughts and judgments on what they are witnessing.

What do you think about this series? 

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology 

Since the age of fifteen, I've suffered from hair thinning so the last ten years of my life have been spent scouring the beauty aisles for a magical product to give a bit of bulk to my remaining locks, and I've finally found it. The Loreal Elvive Fibrology hair care range. 

Following 'seventeen years of research and eight years of testing', L'Oreal Elvive have created the active ingredient known as 'Filloxane' which forms bonds of protein within the hair shaft. Each time you use these products, the key ingredient gradually becomes embedded in your hair fibres, expanding the diameter of each hair. 

I'm usually very sceptical about these types of products, having been disappointed time and time again, but this actually works and just after one wash I could really notice the increase in volume. 

If I had to choose between the conditioner or the serum, I would have to say that the serum had the biggest effect on my hair. I was worried it may leave my hair sticky or heavy but after scrunching the transparent liquid up to my roots, my hair was left feeling full and bouncy. However, using both products together definitely gives your hair that extra something which makes the difference. 

If this is how my hair is after just one use, I can't wait to see future results! I may go crazy and buy the entire range now! 

Have you tried this range?  Have you ever suffered from hair thinning?

The Eve Lom Ultimate Cleanse Facial at Liberty, London 

I've always been a fan of Eve Lom products, particularly the Moisture Mask so I couldn't pass up on the chance of experiencing the one of a kind 'Ultimate Cleanse Facial' at Liberty. Underneath the crisp white sheets of the Queen Mary treatment room, I relaxed ready to indulge in the hour of bliss that was to come. 

To begin with, my skin was deeply cleansed using the award winning Eve Lom Cleanser (described by Vogue as "the best cleanser in the world"). A unique massage technique was used to promote lymphatic drainage and to relieve tension within each skin layer (being a sufferer of sinisitus, this proved to be amazing). 

A heated muslin cloth was draped over my face to remove all traces of makeup and dirt that was imbedded in my pores. My skin felt instantly refreshed and that was only the beginning. The therapist then used a soft brush to apply layers of Eve Lom's iconic paraffin wax. At this stage I was very relaxed and ready to drift off as the silky brush was hypnotically swept across the contours of my face. 

Once the wax had set, the therapist delicately removed sections to expose my open pores and begin extraction. I have very dry skin so the appearance of spots is very unusual however the therapist spent quite some time extracting from my chin and nose so I obviously had more black heads than I thought! 

The facial ended with the application of soothing herbal compressions followed by an acupressure massage to my neck and décolleté, leaving me relaxed and tension-free. My skin was visibly different afterwards, silky soft to the touch, radiant and invigorated. 

The £85 booking fee for this 60 minute facial may seem extravagant but it's fully redeemable against £115 of Eve Lom products purchased. On the day you get brilliant advice from the therapist who advises you on what products are best suited to your skin (I chose the Cleanser (200ml, £85) and Rescue Mask (50ml, £35). 

For those of you with normal/dry skin it's recommended to use the cleanser once a day in the evening. However, if you have particularly congested or oily skin, use the cleanser twice a day for better results. I was quite impressed to see that the leaflet contains a step by step guide to help with the application, including the special massage technique that promotes energy flow. As you can see from the image below, the cleanser comes with two muslin cloths (100% cotton) , which gently exfoliate the face whilst allowing the aromatic oils to work their way into the skin. You can even notice the difference after the first use! 

Another multi-award winning Eve Lom product is the Rescue Mask. What I love about this Mask, is that it solves a multitude of skin problems, whether it be blotchiness, puffiness, breakouts or blackheads, this product can always be relied on to fix the problem. The word 'rescue' really rings true. This is due to the specialist ingredients that it contains: Camphor (decongests and cools the skin), Honey (conditions), Ground almonds (exfoliates and smooths the surface of skin) and Kaolin Clay which absorbs excess oil and reduces puffiness. 

I would recommend using this whenever your skin needs  a good pick-me-up, particularly if you want your skin to radiate or glow in an upcoming event or special occasion. 


Have you ever had an Eve Lom facial?  What's your favourite cleanser and face mask?

MaRy PoPpiNs 

Like lots of girls, I can't leave the house without my bag stuffed to the brim with personal possessions. Even if it's just a trip to the corner shop for a pint of milk!

I've often seen this idea featured in the countless magazines I've read and wondered how my 'spilt bag' would look, so here it is..

1. My Bershka pink polka dot satchel. A perfect accessory for this season's pastels. 

2. My fake Yves Saint Laurent purse. I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it in a market stall in Egypt, Sharm el Sheikh. It's pink and it's heart-shaped so that explains the attraction! 

3. My Iphone containing all my must-haves once I've left the house: mirror, camera, newstand (all my favourite magazines in one place).

4. Estee Lauder Double Wear in Shell (£28.50). This foundation stays put for absolutely ages and covers even the worst blemishes. Can't leave home without it. 

5. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers (£20). These really are the best eyelash curlers on the market. Whenever I'm feeling a little bit tired and my eyes are heavy, I give my eyelashes a quick squeeze with these and Voila! My eyes are quickly revived. 

6. Gel Foot Cushions, Primark (£1.50). These are a handbag essential when out and about.  They relieve pressure on the ball of the foot and make even the most painful shoes bearable. A must-have! 

7. Collection 2000 Extreme 24Hr Felt Tip Liner in Black (£2.99). There are all kinds of liquid eyeliners like this on the market but I find this product to be one of the best. The pigment is vibrant and dramatic which is exactly what u want for a stand-out look. It even comes in other colours such as Teal, Blue and Purple. 

8. SuperStay 10Hr Stain Gloss in Berry Heavenly (£6.99). I love love love this product. It glides on like silk and comes in a range of show-stopping colours. I can't wear lipstick (will explain in future post) so this 'stain' is a refreshing alternative to a sticky gloss. 

9. Vaseline Limited Edition No 3 Paint The Town Red Lip Tint (£3.49). I use this not only on my lips but also on my cheeks to give me a dewy blush. Smells gorgeous too!

10. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Stellar (£6.49). This colour is dramatic and is a perfect product for occasions when your eye makeup is minimal. 

11. Vanilla roll-on oil bought in an apothecary in Rome. The perfect sweet and spicy combination. 

12. Max Factor Excess Volume Extreme Impact Mascara (£12.99). This is my absolute favourite mascara. The Extreme Volume wand separates and coats your lashes with a luxurious liquid that instantly injects drama and glamour. The second wand intensifies your overall look with a rich black lacquer, leaving your lashes silky and sensuous. 

13. Sudocrem Skin Care Cream, 30g (£1.99). I'm constantly applying this to my skin throughout the day. Great for spot-prone, flaky and dry skin. 

14. Sleek Make Up Eyebrow Stylist Brow Sculpting Pencil (£5.50). I always worry that my eyebrows may wash away in the rain so I have to carry this everywhere just in case! The calligraphy tip is perfectly shaped to achieve both a subtle look as well as a strong dramatic brow. Accompanied by a blending brush, you can achieve the perfect eyebrows within minutes. 

15. Keys.

16. Sunglasses.

17. My USB. Favourite images, my photography, general notes and ideas, this barely leaves my side. 

18. Apple Headphones. Can't travel anywhere without music. 

Do you use any of these products? What's in your bag?

More Models Own 

'The Sticky Fingers Collection' by Models Own is a selection of seven polishes beautifully packaged containing a sheet of novelty stickers. As soon as I laid eyes on this vibrant display I knew I had to try them out.

There's a variety of sticker designs including, 'Sweet Candy' (mini lollipops, gingerbread men), 'Pastel Petals' (dinky vintage-esque flowers), 'Bows' (mentioned by the sales assistant to be the perfect embellishment for a french manicure) 'Pow Nails (comic influenced) and 'Drops and Blobs' (the one that I bought!). 

I have to say I was slightly disappointed with the results. I've never been a massive fan of white nail varnish, because I often find you have to apply about four coats before the colour becomes vibrant. I'm not the most patient person in the world! so waiting in anticipation for the layers to dry was torture whilst wondering what the stickers would look like. Once I had applied the stickers, I loved the way my nails looked initially, however some started to curl. I applied a clear top coat thinking this may seal the stickers but it only seemed to make it worse.

Having said all this, I'm not sure if these negative results were just due to a bad application on my part. So, I plan to buy the 'Sweet Candy' stickers and try all over again with a different polish, perhaps a pale pink. This time I'm going to apply the stickers with tweezers so I can delicately place the designs on my nails instead of heavy-handedly with my fingers. Stay tuned for the second attempt! 

Which nail sticker design do you like?

Nail Polish Crazy

On my lightening visit back to London, I couldn't wait to get my hands on more of these Artstix Nail Polish Duos by Models Own. There are twelve bewitching combinations to choose from, suiting the needs of all nail polish lovers everywhere. 

These four are my particular favourites (LT-RB: Blibble, Boogie Dream, Pink Stuff, Blue Spray). What makes this product so brilliant is its versatility. You have the option of wearing just the base coat, a full layer of both polishes or just a touch of glitter to accent parts of the nail. 

The wide range of colours suit all seasons and occasions making this my go-to nail polish. Retailing at the reasonable price of £6, makes this an affordable product that you can achieve multiple looks with. What's more, now you can buy six mix and match Models Own products for only £20. 

Have you tried these products?  What's your favourite nail polish?

Review: My Nars Favourites 

This is one of my absolute favourite products, the gorgeous Nars illuminator in 'Copacabana'. Promoted as a multi-use illuminator, it can be used anywhere from your neck to your legs but I tend to use it mainly on my face. This pearlescent liquid glides on to the skin like silk, leaving the contours of your face delicately defined. Being a person that is particularly camera-shy and un-photogenic, I find this the perfect product to achieve the “chiselled- look” when in front of the camera. What makes this illuminator even more brilliant is that it contains skin nourishing ingredients such as Bisabolol and Indian Frankincense that are renowned for their soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities. I use 'Copacabana' because I'm very pale but the illuminator caters to all skin tones and comes in a variety of shades such as 'Adelaide', 'Laguna', 'Orgasm' and 'Super Orgasm'. This product retails at £22, this may seem a bit of a splurge but it lasts for absolutely ages and is well worth the price. 

Have you ever tried it? What's your favourite illuminator?

We've all experienced that moment on a night out when we look in the mirror and our eyeshadow is smudged or creased...How can we stop this from happening?..Look no further. 

The Nars 'Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base' is what I call the miracle product. Not only does it keep your eyeshadow in place but it also intensifies the pigment, keeping your eye makeup brilliant and fresh long after application. This product can also be used on your eyebrows and your lash-line, making it the ideal multi-tasker. The combination of deep-sea and antioxidant rice extracts makes this liquid suitable even for hyper-sensitive skin like mine. There's no other product quite like this one on the market, making the £19 retail price a beneficial investment. 

What other Nars products would you recommend?