Arg! Only two weeks till your big day and your skin needs help?

While last week we looked at your plan if you have a year to go, there's no need to panic if you only have weeks to your big day and you've just been too busy to focus on your skin care routine. First up, if your wedding day is approaching I don't recommend any major facial treatments. Facials are designed to be deep cleansing and can include strong exfoliations which can result in breakouts as the toxins are released or a little redness.
Instead, focus on at home treatments that are designed to nourish and get your skin glowing. First up, get cleansing. I meet a lot of brides who tell me that the only use cleanser at night or when they wear makeup but removing makeup is not really the sole function of cleansing. Cleansing removes the dead skin cells and general dirt and debris your face picks up throughout the day, especially if you have a commute or live in an urban area. It also prepares your skin for the products to follow, putting moisturiser on uncleansed skin really is a waste as it won't be able to get to work! My favourites for taking off makeup are Liz Earles hot cloth cleanser  or if you are on a budget Ponds Cold Cream and a warm face cloth works well too. I usually use these at night and in the mornings I prefer a refreshing facial wash and I can't recommend Clinique Liquid Facial Soap enough! Follow with Clinique Clarifying lotion to continue the exfoliation process - chat to the consultant at the counter for the correct one for your specific skin type.
My next tip is to add a serum to your skincare regime - even just a week or two of regular use and you will notice a difference. In the morning try Vichy Idealia life serum and at night Estee Lauders Advanced Night Repair serum.
Last week I spoke about exfoliation and as its so close to the wedding I recommend sticking to the mild side of things with Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant (check out last weeks newsletter for more info) or another favourite of mine which is Origins Never a Dull Moment. It has a stronger scrub to it than the Daily Microfoliant so be careful if your wedding is in a few days, test it out, but it gives a fabulous glow and the fruit enzymes really eat away at that dead skin.
Finally my last tip if your big day is approaching is to try really hard to get a decent amount of sleep - stick to a sensible time to head to bed each night and keep a notebook by the bed to jot down any last minute reminders so you don't spend the night worrying about them.

Good skin,,,its not all about products!

This week I wanted to focus on 'non product' related skincare. Its all too easy to run into the department store and fling hundreds of euros at a counter to try to improve skin problems only to come out and find that it really hasn't made things any better for you. While there is no doubt that there are some very effective products out there, we really can do a lot to improve our skin by starting on the inside rather than the outside.
As well as recommending products and skin care regimes I will also cover area's such as diet, exercise and general wellbeing because I can definitely testify as to the changes they can make on your face! As with the products I recommend, these are things that work for me or for my clients so they might work for you too!
This week I'm talking yoga and one person specifically, Mandy Ingber. Now I have to be honest and say that I entirely only bought her DVD because of the Jennifer Anniston connection! I have tried yoga lots of times, from regular to the gruelling hot yoga but it never was something I really enjoyed - until I started this DVD.
Yoga is one of the best exercises you can do for your skin, it gets the blood flowing and increases oxygenation to the head through downward bends which means your skin will glow afterwards as if you have just had a facial. Mandy's version of yoga is a mix of the traditional yoga stretches and more conventional toning so you have the added benefit of seeing great results in your body as well as your face.
Her delivery is fun and personable, you can really relate to her and she really works on the mind connection too so without realising it, you've completed a meditation practise too!
Finally she also has a book called the 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind Body makeover which I put on my Christmas list this year and can't wait to start!

My favourite BB creams

BB creams are now well established as a major product in our makeup routines and I am a huge fan - both personally and in my kit. On a personal note, I like a lighter coverage in my every day makeup and BB creams are perfect as they cover a lot of the skincare elements, sun protection and some coverage. For work, I use them as a primer and base before foundation.
My two favourites are MAC's BB Cream Compact which is a matte-ish product but still illuminates the skin with fantastic SPF of 30. I also love Cliniques BB Cream, SPF 30 again but also an anti-ageing product so great for a drier or more mature skin.

Wedding skin prep...one year to go!

Lots of very well organised brides are booking for 2015 which is super organised but its important not to think that you can't start your skincare preparation already. The longer you can give your skin to get it into the best condition the better (although if you have less time don't panic, I'll be covering last minute skincare next week!) So if you have a year or so to go here is my guide to your preparations.
Every month
Get a facial - in a salon if budget allows, at-home if not. I will be covering everything you need to do a salon worthy facial at home over the coming weeks. I recommend Decleor for drier skins and Dermologica for skin prone to break outs.
Every week 
Do an at-home mini facial - cleanse, exfoliate and apply a mask.
Every day
Start your day with a cleansing juice, drink lots of water throughout the day and do some form of exercise - its not all about products, great skin really does begin from within!

A beginners guide to exfoliating....

I really can’t say enough about exfoliating – it is such an important skincare step and one that lots of people don’t bother with. Regular exfoliation, twice a week, means your serum and moisturiser are absorbed and your makeup sits better. It removes dead skin cells ensuring your skin looks glowing and fresh. If you are new to exfoliation I suggest starting with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant which is a poswer that you mix into a paste with water and apply to damp skin in circular motions. It’s mild enough to use often and really brightens the skin. You can pick it up for 39.50 from millies.ie

Contouring Love!

This week I'm loving Tom Fords gorgeous contouring kit Shade & Illuminate. Its not cheap at 67 euros in Brown Thomas but it gives the most natural definition and highlighting in a cream rather than powder finish. To use, suck in your cheekbones and pat a little of the contour product onto the hollow, dotting up toward the ear and then blend with your fingers or a makeup sponge. Follow with the highlight cream across the top of the cheek bone. You can also use it to highlight the brow bone and the inner corners of the eye. Set with powder to make sure it lasts all day!

Some changes and some gorgeous new makeup!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin So I have been finding myself more and more writing about other things as well as makeup - from cooking to day trips, from stress relief tips to fashion - so I decided to start everydaycrazy for all the non makeup stuff. Have a look, hope you like it :)

Meanwhile, back on the makeup side of things, its been busy with lots of new bookings for 2014 and meeting new clients as well as planning some exciting photoshoots for January.

I've been trying out some gorgeous new makeup. First is Charlotte Tilbury's new range which you can find in Selfridges in London or online at Net-A_Porter or her own site. Charlotte is an iconic makeup artist who has worked with some of the most beautiful women in the world and has created an amazing palette of looks perfectly designed to complement and enhance.

The ten signature looks cover every possible look, from Rock Chick to The Golden Goddess and I absolutely love the eyeshadow palettes. I also picked up her own signature Charlottes Magic Cream which is a product she formulated herself over the past twenty years and gives the most glowing complexion. I'm heading back to London next week to stock up on more!

Next I attended a fabulous evening at Buff makeup sipping champers, trying out products and watching makeup artists Leonard Daly and Nicola Cuddy create stunning looks.

I took home two foundations, the high def foundation and the flawless finish liquid foundation. The flawless finish gives a lovely sheer finish, great for those of you who like lighter coverage for an every day look. The high def was the winner for me, it gives great coverage and is long lasting and the shade was perfect. I will be adding it to my kit for bridal plus its great to support an Irish makeup brand. You can order online or call them at 01 8330110.

Finally, I was asked by the team at One Fab Day to give some tips on the best pink lipsticks for bridal and you can read all about it here http://onefabday.com/pink-lipstick-makeup-advice-for-your-wedding-day/