An alternative lash treatment - what do you think???

Just in time for the holiday season a new lash treatment has emerged in the UK after becoming quite popular over in the US.

Semi Permanent mascara is the latest in lash treatments and is an alternative to the lash tint, perm etc. The application process is relatively quick and it is basically a professionally applied mascara which lasts up to two to three weeks. As this breaks down gradually over this period it is a great treatment for holidays for keeping your eyes looking fab when you are in and out of the pool or sea and you want to emerge looking like a bond girl rather than Alice Cooper with your mascara running down your face. you know the look :-))

One of my lovely friends had this treatment today, I firstly gave her lashes a lash lift and then applied a quick coat of Crybaby mascara and here is the before and after. She absolutely loved the finished look as although there is quite a good length on the lashes they are very straight and normally require a good curling and plenty mascara.

Here is the before and after for you to see the effect, the great thing about having the lash lift first is that after the mascara has broken down over a couple of weeks the lift and tinted lashes will remain for six to eight weeks.

What do you have done to your lashes? or are you blessed like my daughter with natural 14mm lashes - not that I am jealous (much)!!

Love your comments as always.

Love Wendy xx

The Alpha-H diaries Week 1

I love twitter, its a great way to find some great products with recommendations from some amazing facialists, makeup artists and people who just love to buy and try products and share their experiences and my latest indulgence of Alpha-H was thanks to @KennethSoh , @Sweet_Miss_Jo and @nicolettasblog. All well worth a follow!

My purchase was a five piece radiance and renewal set from QVC which included the infamous Liquid Gold, which to say I was excited to try is an understatement. The set contained a 50ml balancing cleanser, a 50ml gentle daily exfoliant, a 50ml rejuvenating cream, a 100ml Liquid gold and a 7.5ml absolute eye complex all for just over £35!

As there are quite a lot of products here I thought a diary would be the best way to share my experience, so here we go

Day one: Evening cleanse - this claims to be a three in one product, makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one, so a little sceptical I must say but I used a 5 pence size amount of cleanser on damp hands and face and massaged into my face and neck, paying particular attention to my eye area which was carrying the days makeup. I gently removed cleanser with a warm damp muslin cloth and voila all makeup gone, no traces of mascara at all. I gave a quick second cleanse to ensure a thorough cleanse into those pesky pores too. To test a bit further I didn't apply any other products for about 30 mins to see if my skin felt tight, greasy etc. No chance, just soft, cleansed and hydrated skin.

Now the moment I had been waiting for my first ever experience of liquid gold. Due to the glycolic acid content I was expecting quite a tingling sensation, so as directed I dampened a cotton pad with the Liquid Gold which is just a clear liquid and wiped over my face and neck. A little tingling but not much at all. I left until my skin was touch dry and then I applied the rejuvenating cream with Glycolic Acid and vitamin C, now this did give a good tingle - but I am one of those people who like a good tingle as it must be working!The moisturiser felt rich without being heavy or greasy

Day two: I did look in the mirror and was a bit disappointed that I wasn't looking 10 years younger, but then reality kicked in and i started off on morning cleanse. I gave my skin a single cleanse and then poured two measured amounts of gentle daily exfoliant into my palm and added a little water to create a creamy paste and activate the enzyme activity and then massaged in for a good minute, I rinsed thoroughly with warm water and then applied the rejuvenating cream (good tingle again) and then applied a little SPF 30, as there is none in this particular moisturiser and due to the Glycolic Acid content it is essential to add in this stage to protect your skin. Applied eye gel, this is a little runny, so caution is needed to make sure none is wasted. A nice cooling gel, I expected to feel a little dry around eyes as this wasn't a cream as I normally use, but this felt great all day.

Evening same as on Day one - skin feels great and looks quite fresh looking.

Day three: skin is looking good this morning, to cleanse this morning I mixed my cleanser with two measures of gentle daily exfoliant, added a little water to start the enzyme activity of the exfoliator, I love the feeling of mixing these two together and skin looks and feels great. I follow with my rejuvenating cream (tingle factor is subsiding now as my skin gets used to the Glycolic acid content) SPF, eye gel, makeup and I'm off.

Evening, a bit upset I can't use my Liquid Gold tonight, but it is recommended every other night, although I have used on two consecutive nights - well you know just to kick start it! So it is cleanse and rejuvenating cream.

Day four: skin looking even better this morning, same cleanse as yesterday. Mixing the exfoliator with the cleanse is fab, quick and it really is gentle enough to use every day - no little flaky patches which I have experienced before when using a daily exfoliator.

Evening, yay Liquid Gold night which i use after cleansing, but no rejuvenating cream - by not adding this stage it is supposed to make for a more intensive treatment. No tingle at all tonight!

Day five: on previous days my skin texture was looking better, but my face looks visibly firmer today - I am loving this - morning routine as previous day

Evening - Cleanse, rejuvenating cream and I must admit I applied a drop of Bio Effect Serum on my eye area for no reason other than I love the serum.

Day six: Skin just feels great and I really look forward to cleansing as I love the feel of my skin afterwards. Same routine as before. I have noticed my makeup is staying on well through the day, although the feel of the moisturiser is richer than I would normally use, it isn't having an effect on how my makeup lasts throughout the day.

Evening - Cleanse, Liquid Gold, a drop of Bio Effect around eye and bed.

Well day seven, I can definitely see an improvement in my skin, both in the texture and in the firmness of my skin. As a rule I should have a few hormonal spots at the moment, but fingers crossed not a one!

Overall I love this range and I will most definitely be re purchasing. I would also love to try the Liquid Gold serum as on the nights I can't use my Liquid Gold I would like to add something else in.

The QVC set was an absolute bargain, containing two full size products in the set is absolutely amazing value and only a small amount of each product is needed for each application.

This is a brand I am so pleased I have tried and will be claiming a permanent residency in my bathroom cabinet.

If you haven't given it a go, have a look at QVC at the sets they have available, its a great way to get a feel for the range although I have to say I do now want the rest of the range to try.

@KennethSoh has a great post on the Alpha-H range, so worth taking a look at this before making a purchase.

Let me know about your Alpha-H experience

Wendy xx

Topshop lipstick update

Following my review of some of the Topshop range of makeup, I used the Brighton Rock lipstick in a fashion show yesterday and would like to update my first review of it. My first review said that this lipstick felt hydrating on application, however, this was over a little bit of balm. When using the lipstick yesterday on a lot of models I did find it a little drying as it was more matt than I initially thought. I still think the colour is amazing and the colour held well, however, I do recommend a bit gloss or balm on top to stop the lips from looking dry.

So still a great review, but I just wanted to give you an update after well and truly road testing it yesterday.

Wendy xx

Smashbox photo finish primer - update

Following on from my original post I wanted to give you this update on this product. After working with 20 models and creating 4 different looks with them, I was relying heavily on this primer doing its stuff.

Due to the number of models to makeup, I had to start prepping skin just after 2pm and the first catwalk show was at 8pm!!

At 7.45pm I gave a shout out for the first models to come for a touch up of their makeup, not sure what I was going to be faced with and to my absolute delight, a touch of lippie and a bit more blusher was all that was required, not a bit of shine in sight. Bearing in mind that this was a group of 18 yr old students, who were excited, running around etc - I was truly amazed.

The models were asking me what I had used as they too couldn't believe they weren't sporting some kind of shine.

This is one product I will not be going to any makeup job without. I LOVE IT xxx

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

One of the hardest things I have found is trying to get the balance of a nice fresh illuminated look but keeping my oily T zone in check at the same time.

I have tried many a combination, lots of primers, foundations etc but this one seems to work.

I was on one of my many shops in Debenhams Beauty Hall when I was drawn to the Smashbox makeup range, I have read lots of reviews on their photo finish oil free primer so decided to give it a go.

Priced at £26 for 60mls a bit on the pricey side but in the line of duty i felt obliged to give it a try.

Only a small amount of product is needed a pea sized amount, if that! I blended across my face ensuring my central panel with larger pores was evenly covered. The primer felt really luxurious, almost velvety and was very easy to apply. I then applied my makeup as normal. This was going to be a true test as the weather was very warm and quite a bit of time was spent outside.

I have to say this worked an absolute treat, to refresh my makeup late afternoon, I simply applied a little bit of extra blush and a flash of lippie - I didn't even feel the need to reapply powder. This has definitely found its way into my makeup kit both personal and professional, its so easy to use, skin felt great and not heavy or clogged and makeup went on a dream.

So although a bit on the pricey side, this worked for me. The rest of the range looked quite interesting, so i will be looking to try some more products and will let you know how I find it. Let me know if you are already using this range and and recommendations for me to try.

Wendy xx

More makeup goodies from topshop

After discovering the cream eyeshadow range from Topshop I was keen to try some more of their range and with a big fashion show looming it seemed the perfect opportunity to shop!

One of the four themes of the fashion show is garden party and so for this I was looking for a very fresh cream blush and found a fab peachy pink called 'Neon Rose'. At first I thought it might have been a bit full on, but the soft almost cream to powder texture of this product enables you to have a very subtle to a very striking effect. Perfect for the bright lights of the catwalk.

I was also looking for a bright pink and a nude lipstick for the show and came across two which look perfect for the job. An amazing colour called 'Brighton rock'is a fabulous bright pink that can be applied quite firmly to give a strong pink, show stopping lip or applied lightly over a tiny bit of balm gives a gorgeous, soft feminine pink lip which could be worn for a simple, every day but fresh look. The lipstick is a nice creamy texture which doesn't feel drying at all and applies very easily.

As for the nude colour, I opted for the 'Nevada' shade which gives a lovely dewy natural lip, perfect for a tinted moisturiser and bit of matt bronzer day.

I am so impressed with the Topshop makeup range, the pricing is so affordable and the quality is second to none. Makeup up is such an easy way to achieve an on trend look without having to buy a whole outfit. An amazing lipstick, blush or a fab nail colour can take you from one look to another.

I love that with this makeup range a colour can look really bright, but by simply apply a different way it can be used for a day or night look. I just love, love, love!


If you haven't had a look at the Topshop range, put it on your to do list the next time you are shopping, I am sure you will find a couple of items that will take you through those summer months.

Let me know how your shopping trip goes.

Wendy xx