Lauren Dunn's Make-up Tips

Oh GOSH, I'm liking these products

2010-01-10T20:51:00.013Z

I'm getting into GOSH products (only sold at Superdrug), my current faves are their Soft 'n Shine Lip Balms. They are more like sheer lip sticks than a balm as they give a nice amount of colour but not hugely moisturising. There are 12 colours to choose from; I like Soft Touch, Aubergine, Mocha & Perfect Plum, £7.

They also do really nice coloured eye pencils that are waterproof and are very soft so they don't drag on the eye lid. I bought a 'Let's Twist' pencil in Blue Grass, £6. Using coloured pencils makes it really easy to wear colour on the eyes without using eye shadow, just do a thin line just above the lash line and take it out slightly at the edges.

Here's a swatch of the Blue Grass eye liner and Soft Touch lip balm on my hand:

Body Shop beauty bargains

2010-01-10T20:25:00.010Z

Found some great sale items in the Body Shop, all of these were a £1 each! The cream eyeshadows are ok but not much pigment to them but I love the cream blushers, I wore the peachy one today and loved it. This colour is suitable for fair to medium complexions. Also I can confirm that L'Oreal do own the Body Shop now, probably why their prices have gone up.

The lip and cheek tint is similar to Benefit Pocket Pal. I did a quick photo gallery so you can see what it looks like, 1. bare lips, 2. just with the tint, 3. tint and gloss.

On the lash: I brush up on 5 top mascaras

2009-07-05T11:37:00.017+01:00

"What's a good mascara?" This is the question that people ask me the most! I've chosen five mascaras, of all differing price range, that promise to volumise and lengthen the lashes. Here's how I got on.

Maybelline Colossal Mascara - £6.64

Has a good-sized brush that creates volume and lengthening without clumping. I used this on one eye and YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils on the other one and the effect was almost identical. Great value for money. 9.5/10

L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagene Mascara - £7.78
Although the brush is quite large it’s not very robust so you can’t get a good volumising effect. Clumped easily, so overall quite disappointing. 5/10

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara - £9.78
This mascara is a good all rounder, gives volume and definition without clumping. Slightly pricey though as just under £10. 7.5/10

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - £10.75
This was the one I was most looking forward to trying. Although I was disappointed as the wand was too thick making it hard to get a good angle when applying. Also when you applied it left a residue on your eyelids making it a bit messy to apply. 5/10

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Clis Luxurious Mascara - £21.00
I used to buy this mascara all the time thinking it was the best volumising mascara money can buy. It is good, gives great volume and length and has a nice scent but it does dry out quite quickly. That said, with cheaper brands making good volumising mascaras now you can get the same effect for less pennies. 8/10

Sun Lotions without any nasties

2009-06-08T20:47:00.014+01:00

After I reacted last Summer to a Nivea sun cream, I wanted to find some products that were good for sensitive skin. Here are some that I've tried and can highly recommend.

1. Green People Sun Lotion spf15 - £15.99 for 200ml available from selected health food shops and online

This is an organic formula with aloe vera, edelweiss, green tea and avocado and has no perfume or parabens. It's slightly thicker when it comes out the tube but once you start to rub it onto the skin it absorbs nicely. It protected my skin really well when exposed to the sun so I achieved some colour but without burning. I would really recommend this if you have sensitive skin and have suffered from prickly heat in the past.

2. Dermalogica Oil Free Matt Block spf20 - £26.56 for 50ml available at this discounted price from www.beautyflash.co.uk

This product is especially good as it's oil free so great for the hot weather and if you get slightly oily. It comes out as a lotion so perfect for anyone who doesn't like a heavy cream on their face whilst in the sun. An alternative for sensitive skin is Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock spf30 - £26.56 for 50ml and available as buy 1 get 1 free at the moment from www.beautyflash.co.uk.

3. Green People Cool After Sun - £10.75 for 200ml available from selected health food shops and online

Like the sun lotion this is an organic formula with aloe vera, calendula and mint and you can use on your face and body. This is probably the best after sun product I have ever used. Not only is it cooling when applied to the skin but really moisturising and without feeling greasy. It has got a slight minty scent but feels really refreshing, perfect after you've spent a lovely day on the beach!

Sheer Lip Tints for the Summer

2009-06-05T20:29:00.005+01:00

Sheer lip tints are a nice alternative to lipstick in the Summer months. They add a subtle amount of colour giving a fresh and natural look. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy with Rose & Almond Oil - around £1.50 from Waitrose & Boots
A pink tinted version of Vaseline that gives a a nice sheer tint to the lips, use with lip liner for a more defined look

2. Eyeko Strawberry Fat Balm - £5.99 from Superdrug
Made by Eyeko, a cult Japanese beauty brand. A strawberry scented lip balm that adds a lovely pinky red colour to the lips. It has a nice texture, not too greasy and has good staying power. For evening, team it up with a clear or tinted gloss over the top.

3. Elizabeth Arden Sheer Tint in Blush - around £15 from department stores and online
Made with the famous Eight Hour formulation, this is really moisturising and has a slightly glossy finish to it. It comes in 4 different colours, Blush is a pretty pink colour that enhances your natural lip colour. Wear alone or use with a lip liner for more definition. I've been using this colour on many of my 2009 brides, it works well with MAC Subculture lip pencil.

4. Recently purchased this week, this one had to be added to the list, MAC 'Petting Pink' Lip Conditioner spf15 £10.28
It gives a very sheer wash of colour and a slight sheen to the lips. Perfect for anyone who doesn't like lipstick or lipgloss. It contains Almond Oil & Shea Butter so it will condition your lips and with the spf, it's perfect for summer holidays.