​I bought this cleanser while attending a promotion evening at Selfridges Manchester with guest speaker Caroline Hirons.  Its full title is Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream price at time of purchase £30.00  it has lasted me, double cleansing morning and night, over 6 months well worth the money in my opinion.

This brand has been created by Dr Murad who’s aim is  “ lifelong commitment to wellness backed by science.” the quality of this brand is the same as you would get from a salon professional but you can buy Dr Murad’s products on line and in department stores.  
The cleanser is white in colour with a lovely pearl effect not much smell but a clean smell. You only need to use a small amount, the size of a pea (petite pois pea not garden) add a little water and massage into the skin it lathers up enough and can be removed by using a clean damp flannel. This product is very affective at removing all traces of makeup.  It is not to be used on the eyes.

​The product contains apricot and starflower oils it is very gentle on the skin, hydrating and was recommended to me for my dry aging skin. I have a list of problems with my skin and this product has not aggravated any of them.  My skin feels clean, hydrated and less sensitive.  I would highly recommend this product; it is suitable for any skin type.
 

​This eye primer I tried after watching one of Lisa Eldridge’s video makeup overs and I love it.  It is called Smudge proof eyeshadow base £21.00, the cost at time of purchase.

​This NARS  base has an easy to use applicator, which I choose not to use, due to hygiene, as I use my products on myself and my clients so I decanter all my products.  You can apply this product very easily with your finger or a brush.  I find it works well with both, it has a lovely soft sheen, making the application of any eyeshadow easy using techniques from brushing blending or patting on the colour.  I also use this product under my eyes and find that it holds eyeshadow or pencil on the lower lash line, in fact the product does not move, even when I am having a hot flush and it doesn’t crease this is my go too product for myself and clients.

I am trying out primes for eyes at the moment as, along with many other women, I am struggling to keep my eye makeup in place.  This is not due to skill this is due to hot sweets water eyes and anything else life wants to throw at you at a certain time in life.

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So, I have started with hard core MAC prep + prime extended eye base £16.50, the cost at time of purchase.

​This product is used by makeup artists to create the beautiful colourful cut crease, beautiful but not ideal for eyes with any creases or wrinkles.  When using this product,  I have applied this with my finger and a brush it works well this both, you only need a very small amount which is good as it comes in a small tube 12ML.  It has a lovely sheen and feels creamy. You will need to change the way you apply your eyeshadow, as it is sticky so you need to pat the powder eyeshadow on with a brush.  For me it is a bit time consuming in the morning I save this product for a night out, when I spend more time getting ready.  It does work the eyeshadow does stay in place.

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This is the pallet of eyeshadows which I took on holiday with me this year, FAB!! Wearing all shiny makeup when it is hot can make you look very sweaty, mixing shimmer and matt products is a good way of controlling shine. In my opinion, when you are of a certain age, you can’t go wrong with this pallet.

Natural day time colours to bold evening eyeshadow colours and everything in between. They are matt colours apart from Blow which can be used as highlighter (you can highlight with matt colours) this has a slight sheen. The eyeshadows are not powdery they glide on and have strong pigmentation.  Someone said to me the pallet looks boring, it is anything but boring. 

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I am a professional (MUA) free-lance makeup artist, educator, Principle moderator, chief examiner and assessor with over 20 years of experience in the makeup industry. 
 
I have seen amazing changes in the makeup industry over the years, from makeup only worn by the older generation or worn like a mask to conceal a skin problem, to now where the young are very proficient in applying their own makeup with the use of social media.
 
For most the correct application of makeup may just help you feel better about yourself. There comes a time in our life when makeup will become our best friend or in my case a necessity and what you wore at 21 will not always work at 40 plus.