Eye, Eye

Eye, Eye

The trend for super groomed eyebrows is not slowing down anytime soon. One of the favourite models of the moment, Cara Delevingne, has the Power Brow down to a T. All natural, no over plucking (a crime many of us committed in our younger years!!) and kept in place with Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel, so I'm led to believe. Of course, not all of us are blessed with beautiful, natural, full brows like Cara, however there are a few tricks of the trade that I learnt on my eyebrow definition course that I can share with you so you too can have beautifully groomed eyebrows. 

*With a disposable mascara wand or spooly brush, brush the hairs upwards.

*With angled tweezers, pluck area below the brows, grabbing a couple at a time.

*With a pair of scissors and your spooly, brush hairs upwards again and trim any hairs that are longer than your brow shape. Don't trim too much, we're talking trimming the tiniest amount, just to neaten the eyebrow up. Some eyebrows may not even need a trim.

*To determine where your brow should start, hold a pencil or make-up brush upwards along the outer edge of your nose up to the inner corner of your brow, that's where your eyebrow should begin.

*Now angle the pencil across the iris; that's where the arch should begin.

*Angle it to the end of the outer corner of the eye; that's where the brow should end.

*With those angles and lengths in mind, fill in the brows using light, feathery strokes as if you were drawing individual hairs. Use either an eyebrow pencil or a similar colour eyeshadow to fill in your brows and then set with a clear mascara to keep those brows in place. 

There you go! Beautiful, groomed arches Cara would be jealous of ;) Hope you find these tips helpful! 

Of course if you fancy treating yourself, I am offering a full eyebrow definition for only £10. This includes an eyebrow tint, wax, tweeze and definition. Get in touch if you want to book an appointment! 

Thank You for reading! 

Sarah X 

How To - Get that Glow

Aaah, we all dream of glowy, supple, soft as a baby's bum skin. I for one, as I get older (eek!!!) have noticed a few fine lines creeping in there, laughter lines taking a few moments longer to fade, and days where no matter what you do to your face, that youthful glow is just not the same as what it once was when you were 21... Bit of a depressing intro there huh?! 

I'm always on the lookout for some new miracle lotion or potion to try out to get healthy looking skin and of course a great skin regime is key however, I've also come to realise that what you put in your body and how you use your body may matter more than what you put on it! 

I've been following these few simple steps for a while now and I have to say I'm starting to notice a bit of a difference in my skins appearance. I am by no means saying these steps are miracle workers and you'll have the skin of a 21 year old again but... Give them a try, you might be surprised! 

If you want a super quick fix.... Make Up Cheat! There are so many products out there to help achieve that face glow. Use a concealer with light reflecting particles, I also use a highlight on the tops of my cheekbones, try MAC or I found a lovely highlight by Soap & Glory. Warm colours will make your face look healthier so try a pink or peachy blush on the highest part of your face and sweep on some bronzer too. Fake tan! Always fake, no sunbeds! I've learnt my lesson!! However, these are quick fixes. To get that outer glow to stay, you must *cheese alert* get that inner glow from within! 

*Hydrate - research says that we should be aiming to drink at least 1 - 2 litres of water/fluids a day. Water helps keep our skin moisturised, plump and minimise those fine lines. If plain water doesn't tickle your taste buds add small pieces of fruit or veg, such as strawberries, cucumber or lemon. I try and start the day with hot water with a slice of lemon to flush out any toxins. I've also been trying Green Tea, which contains skin friendly anti-oxidents. The health benefits are also extensive. Check them out :) 

*Eat Healthily - Healthy Foods = Healthy, glowy skin! Vitamins A, B, C and E, contained in a range of fruit and veg, help keep your skin supple and protect it from age related damage. Try blueberries, asparagus, cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, salmon, natural yogurt and porridge oats. 

*Exercise daily - Doesn't necessarily need to involve a marathon gym session every day! If you're stuck for time, even a quick 10 minutes throughout the day such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, getting off the bus a stop earlier, is enough to get the blood pumping and bring a natural glowy flush to the cheeks :) 

Although in saying that, I've felt amazing after a good old gym sesh to sweat it all out and get the blood pumping!  And with my fiancé being a personal trainer, I really have no excuses for not getting my bum to the gym!!  Yes, Stephen, you're right, exercise is gooood ;) 

What do you think of these simple steps? Will you be trying them out? 

Sarah X 

How To ... Nail Care

Starting my own business and attending various different beauty courses has enabled me to gather a few hints and tips along the way, so I thought (being the super kind person i am ;) I would start a 'How To' section on my blog and share with you guys a few how to tips... 

For my first how to, I'm going to chat about nail care and offer a few words of advice to get those nails into tip top condition! 

Hands up (geddit!?) ladies and gents, when was the last time you really paid any decent amount of pamper time to your hands? Our poor hands often get neglected, but follow these few simple steps and you too can have beautiful, healthy hands & nails in no time :) In fact I also know a fab nail technician who can pamper your hands in the comfort of your own home if you fancy someone else doing the hard work for you ;) 

* As much as a beautiful nail colour on the old talons can make an outfit, the occasional 'au natural' nail can do wonders for your nail health. Give your nails the odd breath now and then and they'll thank you for it! If you can't face going bare, you can always buff your nails with a nail buffer to add a natural shine. Buffing also encourages nail growth, hurrah! Just don't buff too vigorously or too often, as it can weaken your nails. 

* Only file your nails in one direction. See-sawing back and forth can cause your nails to weaken and split.. Not a good look :( 

* Rub a cuticle oil into your nails & cuticles once a week, more regularly if you have the time, to encourage healthy nail growth. You don't need a fancy, expensive cuticle oil, I've been known to use Carmex or olive oil on occasion and you can easily pick up something in Boots or Superdrug. It's not just the oil doing the job it's the massaging in of the oil that promotes circulation resulting in healthy nails. 

* Good nutrition will keep your nails flexible and strong and your cuticles well-conditioned.  Include plenty of the following in your diet: green leafy veg, almonds and poultry (iron); eggs, spinach and broccoli  (vitamin A); and Brazil nuts, steak and pumpkin seeds (zinc). 

* Exposure to water, chemicals, soaps and detergents will weaken your nails - so get those Marigolds on! 

 * Lastly, invest in a good hand cream and moisturise regularly for happy hands! 

If you would like to treat yourself to an at home manicure, I have appointments available. You can find more details on my Facebook page or website, Sarabelle Health & Beauty. Thanks for reading! 

Sarah X 

 

Summer Product Lovin'

Ah, here we are in August already,  Whoa... Where is this year going!? Only 4 months until we're watching out for that famous fizzy drinks advert and 'holidays are comin' .... I digress.... 

Seeing as we're still in the midst of summer and some gorgeous weather I thought I'd share with you some products I've been loving over the summer months.

MAC Fix+. £7.50. has pretty much been a staple for me in my make up bag the past few months. I use it as a make up primer, setting spray and a cooling down spray. In fact I just like spraying it in general, on myself, my mum, my fiancé... Not quite sure they appreciate the benefits of this wee gem as much as I do! It's packed full of vitamins & minerals, green tea, chamomile & cucumber and instantly feels refreshing. A must have in this hot weather! 

MAC Red Lipstick.  £12. Aaah I do love a red lip. As soon as I put this colour on I instantly feel much better about the day ahead! It's a gorgeous red (obviously, hence the name!) which if applied straight from the bullet can be built up to a beautiful, deep, rich red. Or if you're after a more subtle daytime look, it can be dabbed on then patted out with a finger for a more toned down look. Either is a winner in my eyes :) It's a satin finish, very creamy and smells amazing! 

Body Shop Macadamia Body Butter Duo. Who doesn't love a body butter?! I got this when it was on special offer, I think it was around £5. Inside the tub, it has two parts, one side is body butter for dry skin and the other side is moisturiser for normal skin. I've mainly been using the body butter, as it instantly sinks into your skin, leaving it silky smooth. The moisturiser takes a bit of rubbing in, but again is super hydrating. I tend to use the moisturiser at night, before bed, when there's more time for it to work it's magic! I would definitely repurchase this.

Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil. This was a sample from when I ordered Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey face mask (see next summer fav!) I can literally feel my skin sucking this oil in whenever I apply it. It sinks in immediately, doesn't feel greasy, and my skin is instantly hydrated. I believe a full sized bottle retails for around £50 (if not slightly more!) I'm not quite sure my purse can handle parting with that amount at the moment however,  it would be a great investment as you only need the tiniest amount and if I can easily spend £50 on a new pair of shoes without a second thought, why not invest in some awesome looking skin!  I think this product might get added onto my Santa List :) I normally use this when my skin is feeling super dry and tight. Mainly at night times and I sometimes use it after I've used my Manuka Honey Mask for a double hydration boost! 

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask. £21.50. I absolutely adore this product. I first found out about it when I read Kate's blog, Ghostparties. Her review 'made' me add it to my virtual shopping basket and before I knew it, I was slapping it all over my face and relaxing for 10 minutes whilst it did its job. Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask originated in New Zealand with the Maori people using manuka honey as a traditional remedy. The mask has manuka honey as its 'super' ingredient, which is amazing at drawing moisture back to hydrate your parched skin. Other ingredients include vanilla pod fragrance & mandarin, which apparently are meant to bring 'peace and balance to your aura' Possibly true, I just like the opportunity to lie down for 10 relaxing minutes whilst I have the mask on! Any aura stuff going on is an added bonus?! You can also use the mask on specific areas as a spot/blemish treatment, again I can vouch that it really does bring all the yucky stuff to the surface, any dry bits are banished,  leaving my skin clear and so soft! I got my mask online from Feel Unique. 

What have been your summer products picks? 

Thanks for reading! 

Sarah X 

***Blog Update***

Hi there! 

What amazing weather we are having at the moment in Scotland! The sun instantly puts a smile on faces, the mood is generally lifted, everyone is in good spirits and people seem to have more motivation to do things, whether it be out for a walk, play in the park, having a BBQ and spending time with friends and family. All good for the soul! The great weather has given me a bit of a boost too and given me motivation to get a few things kickstarted, which leads me onto this blog post....

I am hands up admitting I have been a really bad blogger of late. I am very lucky to be in the position of having time to regularly blog,  and I need to schedule regular blogging slots into my daily routine. I'm not sure why I don't blog more regularly, maybe it's a combination of feeling a bit unsure/self conscious about my writing skills, the uncertainty of whether people will actually want to read my stuff... What I do know, is that I love to read blogs in my spare time and I'd like to think that my blog (eventually) will be one of those blogs that other people will love to read on a regular basis! 

I originally planned to blog about beauty, fashion and lifestyle. These will all still feature, however I also plan on including a Health section. I have my own business which is health & beauty based so I'd like to incorporate some features related to this too! I'm very excited about my blog and I really hope it comes together how I imagine it to! 

I am also planning on a blog overhaul. I use basic Blogger, which is very straightforward and simple but I'd like to stamp my own personal style on the layout, graphics, font etc. This will be happening very soon so keep your eyes peeled! :) 

I've written a few pieces already on Sarabelle Beauty, a review on Revlon's PhotoReady Primer, a NOTD and a Spring Favourites. Take a look, see what you think and feel free to drop me a comment. You can also find me on Twitter @SarabelleBeauty or on Bloglovin'

Thank You! Have a great weekend! 

Sarah x

Revlon Photo Ready Perfecting Primer

I only have one word for this product. LOVE. Yes, thats right. I'm in love with a primer. I'll admit, priming my face doesn't really happen very often; I'm not really one for primers, I was yet to find one that didn't feel greasy, flakey, slimy (yuk!) however, this wee beauty gem has fast become a staple in my make up regime. It's not often I proclaim my love for a particular brand or product being somewhat of a makeup/cosmetics floozie, however I am willing to make an exception for this baby! 

I really like the packaging, a glass bottle with a handy pump, looks really classy sitting on my bedside table. Its one of those 'pretty' looking products that reminds me of a 'Granny Dressing Table Essential' :) 

One pump of this product is enough for your entire face, it feels really lightweight & as soon as its applied you can instantly see the difference in your skin tone & texture. The formula is white with a hint of pink in colour (I picked up shade 001) and is described as a Perfecting Primer. I suffer a lot from red, blotchy cheeks (how lovely!) and I've been amazed at how well this primer works to reduce this. One of the reasons why I love it so much. You know when you do a double take at something that catches your eye, or you look in the mirror and think, 'Yep, looking not too shabby today Sarah' Well, that's what happens when I apply this bad boy. It mattifies, yet doesn't look cakey.

Since I have started using this primer, I have noticed my foundation lasts significantly longer than normal. I wouldn't say we're talking all day all night lasting but I can definitely say we're talking mid afternoon before a wee touch up is required. Another big thumbs up! Revlon Primer Love is at an all time high here and I will be recommending this to everyone who lets me witter on about make up & cosmetics. I purchased mine in Boots, and I think it retails around £11.99. 

Has anyone else tried this? What do you think of this primer? 

Thank You for reading! 

Sarah xx

NOTD

Hello :)

I've seen 'nail of the day' posts before on various different blogs and I've always been impressed with the pictures I've seen so I thought I'd give it a go myself! And seeing as I'm a newly qualified nail technician, it's good practice for me to try different nail art & colours :)

I used Essie Grow Stronger as a base coat, then Essie Mint Candy Apple as my all over colour (2 coats) I then used a small headed, random makeup brush to paint on the leopard prints (using Essie Luxedo) and then dotted on Essie Lilacism. As a final touch I used Essie topcoat, Good to Go, which dried in seconds... Very impressed!

What do you think of my Nail of the Day?

Sarah :)

A Fresh Start

Starting out in Beauty.... I know a few people find the whole beauty world a little shallow and that's fine, but I think if you like to make an effort with your appearance and enjoy it then why the heck not have 10 different shades of clear lipgloss that match the 100 different pairs shoes/handbags you have ;) If it makes you happy, go for it! 

Since I was little girl, I've always had a magpie approach to anything sparkly, colourful and glittery. I have eagle eye vision when it comes to anything like this, something that's hidden at the back of a shelf I will locate. A piece of clothing that's stuck at the back of a rail, one left that's my size? I will  spot it and will of ninja moved my way up the aisle, bought and paid for it quicker than you can imagine. It's a well honed skill ;)

It would make sense then, the things I get most enjoyment out of are browsing (stalking) the department store cosmetics counters, skipping in between rails of clothes and shoes in my favourite clothes shops, picking up hundreds of items to try on and twirl about in like a mad woman or even cooing over nail varnish, glittery varnish, red varnish, pink varnish, blue varnish, multi coloured varnish... You get the picture, I am the epitome of girly girl. So, you would think my career path would see me skipping along said path in my heels, nails painted and make up on... Wrong! I have actually worked in childcare for a long time, almost 12 years to be exact and yes I suppose its quite a girly job, making sparkly, colourful pictures in a day, but its also a messy, noisy job the majority of the time, and as much as i enjoyed it, I realised it was time for a change. Since becoming older (eek!!) I've come to realise and become more aware of what truly makes me happy in life. 

My beauty love affair has been more of a past time/hobby rather than doing it as an actual job, so I've decided to take a leap of faith and have a completely fresh start in my career. Now, don't get me wrong, boy was I nervous about making this decision! First and foremost, no regular monthly income to buy sparkly, colourful things, haha! Seriously though, this was a big factor BUT I am very lucky to have a supportive boyfriend, family and friends who gave me the confidence and courage to 'go for it' and do something about it. After all, we only get one shot! You want to enjoy your job, after all that's what you spend most of your life doing! 

Photo:Pintrest

So, I've decided to follow my passions and train in Beauty Therapy, effectively setting up my own wee beauty business! It's an absolute dream job for me and I am so happy I can combine my love for all things beauty and share them with other people. Yes, thinking about and talking about Beauty, cosmetics etc might be a tad laborious for some people but I truly enjoy what I am doing, learning new skills, meeting new people! I for one am very excited about the future! 

Have you ever made a fresh career start? 

Sarah :) 

What's put a Spring in my step...

Hello! I haven't posted in such a long time. There has been so much going on, blogging has taken a back seat for nearly 2 months now. I've a lot of catching up to do! So, to get started I thought I'd share a photo of some items that are making me smile so far this Spring.

Pink Roses always make me smile :) With Spring in full bloom now, a vase of colourful petals will always brighten up your room.

The La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Milk is doing wonders for my dry, sensitive skin. (Winter you have a lot to answer for!) It almost feels balm like when I apply it, it sinks in leaving my skin feeling soft, supple and super hydrated! Love.

Nivea has worked its magic again for my moisturising needs, all for £1.99.. Who can resist that?! Super light with an SPF15, designed for dry & sensitive skin, my face is smiling with cherub cheeks not chapped cheeks!

Calcot Manor De Stress Body Buff was picked up alongside my broccoli and Cheerios during my weekly Tesco shop... And this stuff smells amazing! Infused with Orange Blossom with Orchid a quick buff with this stuff on damp skin and voila! Super soft skin. I like. A lot.

I'm loving these Essie polishes which I picked up in Boots the other day. Buy Me a Cameo is a beautiful, bronze colour with a hint of metallic shimmer. And there's not much to say about Mint Candy Apple really! It's a super popular Essie colour. I'm a bit late to get my hands on this but its a gorgeous spring shade which I will be matching with my spring inspired outfits. Now... if only it would warm up by around 10 degrees so I can wear said Spring inspired outfits.......

What's putting a Spring in your step...?

Creativity takes courage :)

Pinch punch it's the first day of a new month! Didn't January just whizz by? Maybe it's because I'm another year older (my birthday was a couple of months ago) but it definitely feels like, the older you get the more time flies in! Aaaah!! 

Anyway, enough about me and how old I feel, haha, lets get onto what I've been looking at online recently in terms of make up :) Now, I absolutely love make up and trying out new items, however, at times I find myself, sticking to same old, tried and trusted method of a few favourite pieces of make up, it takes courage to try new things after all! After browsing online for some inspiration, I came across this American brand of make up called Motives Cosmetics by Loren Ridinger. 

Although an American brand it is now available to purchase online at SHOPUK (link below) and although not all products are available to purchase, there are more continually added over time. The new Spring/Summer 2013 collection is one I am looking forward to trying :)

I was instantly sold on the beautiful pastel colours of the Watercolours Spring/Summer collection, after all it is nearly Spring right?! Time to inject some Spring into our make up bags ladies! The collection inspires you to 'express your creativity and experience a watercolour fantasy' My first thoughts on reading this was the word fairies. And who doesn't like a whimsical, magical fairy, sparkling in moonlight, covered in fairy dust! 

There are two parts to the collection, Motives by Loren Ridinger and Motives for LaLa. The Motives by Loren Ridinger collection includes lip shine, mineral dual foundation, bronzing lotion, amongst other fabulous looking products.

The Motives by LaLa collection includes Muse Palette advertised as featuring 'four vibrant mineral eye shadows that are perfect for any look' that's me sold! There are also mineral lip shines in various colours, nail lacquers, kohl eyeliner and a liquid foundation. 

This is a beautiful, girly collection, perfect for the inner fairy in all of us ;) I personally can't wait to try it out, after all who doesn't want to be whisked away into a whimsical, watercolour fantasy ;) 



SHOPUK

Sarabelle Beauty :)

All new to the blogging world! I've read some great beauty, health & fashion blogs over the past year or so and I've been inspired to start one of my own. Whether it'll be any good, we'll wait and see ;) 

A little bit about me.. Well, I'm a sucker for all things beauty related and as for fashion, well, shoes are a particular weakness of mine. I'm really interested in health & well being, and I'm hoping to incorporate all the above into my blog aswell as a few other random items :) 

You'll probably notice aswell that I do like the odd smiley face! :) 

Sarah X