Kisses from Kiss-and-Make-up.co.uk - The Kiss Blog!

The in-look for Christmas 2011 is...

2011-12-07T16:00:00.000Z

...lots of glitter, bold eyebrows and red lips!

and of course at Kiss-and-Make-Up we have just the items for you...

Glittery Eyes...

We have pots and pots of glitter! Collection 2000 Dazzle Me Eye Dusts in Angel and Hazydaze (both silvers), Tinkerbell and Enigma (greens), Inky (black.. or very dark grey!), Sugarplum (pink), Bewitch and Spellbound (blues), Paradise (yellow) and Jaffa (orange, who'd have guessed?!)

Bold Eyebrows...

How about Blinc Eyebrow Mousses... in Black, Auburn, Dark Brunette, Light Brunette, Dark Blonde or Light Blonde, these fill out sparse eyebrows as they moisturise the skin beneath

or eyebrow pencils in Black, Dark Brown or Blonde

Red Lips...

Choose a Bourjois Trendy Rouge 21 Lipstick and we will give you a FREE Collection 2000 Brick Red lip pencil (normally £1.59)

of course, don't forget glittery nails...

May we suggest Maybelline Colorama Cherry Sweet or perhaps Silver Glitter or Gold Glitter Nail Varnishes

and your party body...

Sparkle with Technic Body Glitters available in Silver, Gold, Clear, Pink, Blue or Purple
or if you are feeling a bit more daring...
Urban Decay Lickable (yes they really are!) Body Shimmers in Gimlet (pale green) or Blackberry (pale purple) - LAST FEW LEFT
and
Urban Decay Lickable (yes again!!) Body Balms in the cocktail flavours of Pina Colada, Cosmopolitan or Mai Tai - AGAIN GRAB THE LAST FEW LEFT IN STOCK

So let the partying begin.....

Back in stock... Maybelline Pure Mineral Foundation AND at only £6.99

2011-12-06T15:04:00.000Z

We are pleased to announce that we now have these back in stock.....

All come New & Boxed (as pictured)

This mineral powder gives a natural-looking luminosity to your skin.

It has the feather-light feel of a powder yet gives completely flawless coverage.

Long-wearing and is gentle to your skin.

No talc, no oils, no perfume, no preservatives.

Comes with its own Kabuki brush with 100% natural bristles.

available in Vanilla Rose, Golden Sand, Dune and Sienna

and only £6.99!

For the Goths and Vamps...

2011-12-02T13:38:00.000Z

**We now have Black nail varnish and lipstick back in stock!**
	For your nails... Jet Black/Ebony nail varnish only £1.99
	Perfect lips with this Miss Sporty Extreme Black Lipstick (manufactured as a sample but sold unused, of course, and in perfect condition) only £2.49
	Check out our Gothic & Vamp section for other great items!

You've shopped for everyone else... what about you?

2011-11-23T22:31:00.001Z

**Great little ideas to treat yourself or maybe buy as stocking fillers or table pressies.....**
	Sparkle at Christmas with Technic Body Glitters available in Silver, Gold, Clear, Pink, Blue or Purple only £3.49 each
	Perfect Colour lipsticks by Miss Sporty make perfect little stocking fillers or table presents. Available in Brownie 206, Cream 204, Goddess 120, Hot Date 052, Kiss Me 036, Lolita 011, Lovely 119, Melody 202, New Age 032, Party Girl 016, and Skin 200 all £2.49
	Party Lips with Rimmel Metallic Silver Lipstick at £2.99 or
	Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliners for £3.25 in Emerald Sparkle, Perfect Plum, Pink Impact or Silver Magic
	Or if Neon is your thing... Miss Sporty Mini-Me Neon Eyeliners in Neon Yellow, Blue or Green at only £2.25
	Miss Sporty Lip Liners make great stocking fillers too for only £2.25. Choose from Bubblegum, Cranberry Craze, Plum Tart, Red Red Wine, Toffee and Watermelon

	Don't forget to check out the last few Urban Decay Lickable Body Balms and Body Glitters to add sexy sparkle to your Christmas and bargain C2000 Eye Dusts too!

ATTENTION MUMS! Dreading those First Day of School tears? You need Blinc Mascara and Eyeliner!

2011-08-27T08:37:00.001+01:00

and what's more samples are FREE ...

Standing at the school gates waving goodbye to your little one on their "big day" you will probably shed a tear or two (or hundred!). You need a mascara and eyeliner that will stay put.... try Blinc mascara or eyeliner! Through tears of sadness, pride or joy Blinc will not smudge, run or flake and is totally water-resistant.

Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers Blinc is THE product, and when the day is over you just remove it with water and gentle pressure, no rubbing, no chemical eye-make up removers.... how great is that?!

FREE Blinc Mascara sample trial size now available!

AND...

FREE Blinc Eyeliner sample trial size now available!

Please note; we charge only postage and packing for all Blinc mini samples. These samples are intended for trial purposes only and not for purchase in quantity therefore multiple purchases will be charged the same costs for each.

New in... lots of new stock!!!

2011-03-30T18:30:00.002+01:00

**Wooo look at all the new items we have.....**
	L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick Duos only £6.99 (RRP £10.99)! available in 101 Always Toasted, 304 Stay Nude, and 307 Golden Toffee
	Max Factor Earth Spirits Mono Eyeshadows only £3.49 available in 113 Olive Leaf, 116 Wicked White, 148 Guava Pulp, 485 Frosted Lilac, 490 Crushed Opal, 501 Rose Petal, and 95 Velvet Violet
	Bourjois Rouge Hi Tech Water Based Lip Tints only £4.99 (RRP £7.29)! in 82 Rouge Futuriste, 88 Neo Caramel, 84 Rose Pixel, 85 Groseille Irreelle, 86 Cyber Cassis, and 87 Praline Digitale
	Maybelline Eye Color Express Eyeshadows only £3.99 in 01 Pearly White, 02 Vintage Rose, 06 Stylish Grey
	Bourjois Mascaras from £5.45! 1001 Lashes in Black, Easy Waterproof in Easy Brown, Liner Effect in Brown, and Maxifrange Waterproof in Black
	Maybelline Expertwear Mono Eyeshadows only £2.99 available in 01 Snow White, 02 Seashell, 08 Spring Green, 10 Kaki Chic, 12 Emerald City, 122 Gold Diamonds, 29 Intense Black, 30 Golden Sand, 35 Silver, 37 Chocolate Chic, and 39 Purple Mystic
	Maybelline Colorama Nail Varnishes only £1.75! available in Bubblicious 6, Cherry Sweet 54, Coffee Toffee 25, Icy Mint 20, Jelly Bean 22, Popcorn 10, Redcurrant Jelly 17, Silver Almond 35, Sugar Pearl 24, Strong Mint 4, Tutti Fruitti 3 and Wonder Violet 67
	Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeshadow Duos only £3.99 available in 301 Orchid, 324 Cream Caramel, 327 Spice, 359 Get Fresh, 383 Budding Star, 421 Desert, 451 Heatwave, 481 Slow Motion, 484 A Type of Romance and 545 Alive & Kicking
	Essence Mono Eyeshadows £3.99 available in 02 Satin Matt, 04 Soft Cashmere, 10 Glam Rock, 14 Super Star, 23 Fashion Victim, 33 C'est La Vie, 31 Shooting Star, 32 Dazzling Flash and 33 Party Time
	Collection 2000 Dazzle Me Eye Dusts available in 10 Tinkerbell, 11 Spellbound, 13 Enigma, 15 Angel, 17 Jaffa, 18 Inky, 20 HazyDaze, 21 Paradise, 4 Bewitch, 7 Sugarplum
	Collection 2000 Eyeshadow Monos available in Cashmere 3, Heather 43, Helium 15, Ice 1, Kingfisher 41, Love 9, Manic Mercury 25, Moonshadow 13, Sand Dune 38, Smoke 11, Swinging Saturn 27, Tarnished Gold 36 and Zest 42

Tips video to make your lipstick last longer...

2011-03-25T10:15:00.009Z

Video blog from the lovely Jenny giving you tips on how to apply your lipstick to make it last longer and therefore go further...

You will need

Lip balm

Tissue

Lip liner

Lip brush (available for £3.99) and Lipstick (we have plenty!)

How to prepare and paint your toenails... plus FREE Sally Hansen Toe Tip File offer!

2011-03-22T14:44:00.002Z

The most wonderful Jenny uploaded this video to show you how to prepare and paint your tooties and get them all pretty for those sandals you will soon be wearing...

You will need:-

Toe Clippers

Sally Hansen Toe Tip Emery File and Kiss-and-Make-up is giving away one of these FREE with each order containing a nail varnish!

Tissue

Base Coat

Nail Varnish - which of course we have lots of at the website!

L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnishes only £4.25

2011-03-08T11:55:00.000Z

L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra gives you gorgeous colour that requires just one coat and sets in one minute, so no hanging around blowing on your nails waiting for them to dry!

Available from Kiss-and-Make-up in the following colours and all at only £4.25 (RRP £6.49!)


	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 151 Rose Wood
	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 155 Rose Vintage
	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 250 Nude Beige
	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 550 Red Vinyl
	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 553 Red Fire
	L'Oreal Jet Set Ultra Nail Varnish 650 Black Iris

Hurry, get your FREE Garnier Skin Naturals Comfort Rich Mask...

2011-02-20T12:00:00.000Z

Kiss-and-Make-up are giving away a FREE double sachet (2 x 6ml) of
Garnier Skin Naturals Comfort Rich Masks
with each order over £5 (while stocks last)

Each Rich Mask sachet uses 100% pure Acacia Honey to intensely moisturise your skin for 24 hours.

If your skin is dry and feels (or appears) flaky this mask is a great source of hydration to quench and protect the moisture in your skin.

The formula is also enriched with hydrating and nourishing agents (Shea butter & glycerin) that immediately relieve tightness leaving your skin soothed, soft, supple and comfortable once again.

To Use: Thoroughly cleanse your face, apply the mask, leave for 10-15 minutes then remove any residue with a tissue.

The pack contains 2 x 6ml applications and is yours FREE with any order over £5 (while stocks last)

New L'Oreal Mineral Eyeshadows now in stock RRP £7.99 our price £5.25!

2011-02-16T11:01:00.001Z

L'Oreal gives you a mineral eyeshadow that is light as air, in perfect subtle and shimmering shade that is, above all, gentle on your delicate eye area.

Supplied sealed and with integral fluffy brush for easy application.

Mineral make-up is gentle, contains no perfume, preservatives, no oils is non-comedogenic and is very long lasting.

Available from Kiss-and-Make-up in the following shades and all at £5.25 (RRP £7.99!)


	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 02 Pearly Rose
	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 03 Desert Shimmer
	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 04 Nude Crystal
	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 09 Topaz Shimmer
	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 10 Gold
	L'Oreal Minerals Color Eyeshadow Minerals 13 Bronze Gold

New in... L'Oreal Color Riche Star Secrets Lipsticks only £3.99 each!

2011-02-08T11:00:00.009Z

Kiss-and-Make-up are very excited to announce new stock in today...

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipsticks at just £3.99
(RRP £4.99 and on a well known High Street website for a staggering £8.19!!)

Each lipstick is, of course, gorgeously coloured and designed to embody the essence of the model/actress who's signature it bears, reflecting and complimenting her complexion, eye and hair colour.

Each Color Riche lipstick is enriched with a combination of Omega-3 oils and Vitamin E and so helps to protect your lips from drying. It has a soft, creamy texture which leaves your lips feeling moisturised, smooth and with a stunning finish.

Shades available are

703 Andie Carmine (Andie MacDowell)

704 Eva Toffee (Eva Longoria)

706 Laetitia Rose (Laetitia Casta)

708 Aishwarya Beige (Aishwarya Rai)

709 Claudia Bronze (Claudia Schiffer)

710 Penelope Red (Penelope Cruz)

711 Michelle Dragee (Michelle Yeoh)

712 Milla Purple (Milla Jovovitch)

713 Kerry Rosewood (Kerry Washington)

714 Scarlett Blushed (Scarlett Johanssen)

717 Doutzen Blush (Doutzen Kroes)

Don't forget Blinc mascara and eye liner for Christmas stocking fillers!

2010-11-12T13:30:00.005Z

Perfect for a stocking filler present idea...

At Christmas parties, family get-togethers, whatever the occasion you can trust Blinc mascara or eyeliner to stay put! Through tears of joy (or frustration!) Blinc will not smudge, run or flake and is totally water-resistant.

FREE Blinc Mascara sample trial size now available!

AND...

How to do a French manicure!

2010-09-16T10:30:00.000+01:00

The ever wonderful Jenny has produced a YouTube tutorial vid that shows us all how to do a perfect French manicure... and of course here at Kiss-and-make-up we have the perfect Bourjois nail products in stock to help you achieve this look!

Bourjois Fortifiant Lissant (smooth and strengthening) nail care 21 Blanc blanc - for the white tips

Bourjois Fortifiant Lissant (smooth and strengthening) nail care 22 Blanc rose - pink

Bourjois Fortifiant Lissant (smooth and strengthening) nail care 23 Blanc rose tendre - pale pink

Blinc Eyebrow Mousse and Eyeshadow Primer are now in stock !!!

2010-09-10T10:00:00.001+01:00

Blinc Fountain of Youthful Colour Eyebrow Mousse

Once applied, Blinc Eyebrow Mousse fills in sparse areas to create the perfect brow line that cannot fade, run, or smudge, even if you sweat or wear it in harsh weather conditions. Get ready for beautiful, face-framing brow colour that lasts all day long, unlike traditional eyebrow products that disappear half way through your busy day.

Blinc's Fountain of Youthful Colour™ Eyebrow Mousse is the original eyebrow mousse invented to give enhancing, water-resistant and moisturizing colour to your brows with anti-aging benefits for the underlying skin.

In addition to the unparalleled hold of blinc Eyebrow Mousse, the innovative product also contains a peptide to moisturize and provide anti-aging treatment to the skin beneath your brow. Not only will you have perfectly coloured brows, but you will also be treating your skin at the same time!

At the end of the day, Blinc Eyebrow Mousse is easily removed, only when you are ready, with any gentle makeup remover

available in Black, Dark Brunette, Light Brunette, Auburn, Dark Blonde, Light Blonde

Blinc Fountain of Youth Eyeshadow Phase 1 -(Eyeshadow Primer)

This is Blinc's fountain of youthful color eye shadow phase one. It is the original eye shadow base invented to keep your shadow on as long as you want, while providing your skin with anti-aging benefits at the same time.

Once applied, Blinc eye shadow phase one conceals and fills existing fine lines, providing a smooth lid for ease of powder shadow application. Then, any powder shadow can be applied to the phase one base, for color that cannot crease, fade, smudge or run, even if you sweat or wear in harsh weather conditions!

At the end of the day, Blinc eye shadow phase one is easily removed, only when you are ready, with any gentle makeup remover.

In addition to superior hold, Blinc eye shadow phase one contains anti-aging ingredients that clinical studies have shown to decrease fine lines after just six weeks by 67% and increase skins moisture after just one week by 53%.

available in Flesh Tone and Light Tone

Are sell-by dates there to protect your health or make you buy more?

2010-04-26T10:52:00.001+01:00

I found this article via Twitter, the link for the article with all its links is at http://perspicacious.co.uk/all-the-news/the-great-cosmetics-con-are-sell-by-dates-there-to-protect-your-health-or-make-you-buy-more/24567/

I thought it was an interesting read and that is why I am sharing it here, please note I DID NOT WRITE THE ARTICLE, full credit for that should to to Claire Coleman!

The great cosmetics con: Are sell-by dates there to protect your health or make you buy more?

By
Claire Coleman
Last updated at 10:18 PM on 25th April 2010

The beauty industry insists that hanging on to old cosmetics could endanger your health, but is it really true? How long do you keep your make-up for? Be honest. If you’re like most of us, despite scare stories warning us that using old cosmetics could cause anything from a painful eye infection to a disfiguring skin complaint, you replace it only when it runs out, however long that might take.

I have to confess that if it doesn’t look or smell weird, I’ll probably use it. I don’t share make-up, I wash brushes and sponges every month or so, and if I had an eye infection I’d replace my mascara for fear of reinfecting myself.
Make-up danger? Our investigation revealed most make-up will last for years without harbouring high levels of bacteria. But most cosmetic brushes and sponges do contain unsafe amounts.

But other than that, I’m quite blasé about the whole thing.

But after yet another story on the subject hit the headlines, I decided to do some further investigation and, with the help of some hoarder friends, got together a Dior mascara, a Laura Mercier blusher, a Benefit eyeshadow, a couple of make-up sponges, a Clarins lipstick and a Bourjois eyebrow pencil.
All of them had been used and were at least five years old - the latter two products even looked like they might have things growing on them.

Industry recommendations suggest that mascara should be replaced after a maximum of six months, eyebrow pencils within 18 months, lipstick, eyeshadow and blusher within two years, and sponges should be washed weekly and thrown out after two months.

Microbiological testing is standard practice in the beauty business as Marina Shcherbinina, one of thefounders of the boutique cosmetics brand Nubo, explained to me.

KILLER LOOK In the past, women have used arsenic, lead, mercury, and even leeches to enhance their complexions.

‘Although we use preservatives, it’s important to check that products haven’t been contaminated in any way,so we use an external lab to carry out assessments at every stage of the production and manufacturing process,’ she explains.

Marina put me in touch with Panspermia Microbiology Laboratory, an Essex company that has been testing beauty products for more than 20 years.
Its standard microbiological tests involve taking three samples of each product and essentially counting how many live bacteria exist per gram of the product.
For a product to be considered safe for use on the face or around the eyes, by law, the figure on every sample must come in at under 100.

They agreed to carry out tests on my collection of grotty, ‘out-of-date’ makeup and I fully expected to hear that my cosmetics were harbouring, if not killer spores, at least a thousand different types of revolting bacteria.

The results were staggering. Just not in the way I expected. Every single one of the products came back with a count of fewer than ten and was passed as fit for use.

The key seemed to be the ingredients of the make-up - the preservatives and anti-bacterial agents contained in the products will usually kill off any nasties. As brushes and sponges don’t contain these types of agent, if they’re not washed regularly they can easily become a home for bacteria.

Similarly, certain types of product can be more prone to contamination than others. ‘Water-based productsand things in pots, such as lip balms and cream eye shadows, which you’re constantly dipping your fingers into, have the potential to become infected more easily than powder-based formulations,’ says Consultant dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou.

Dr Susan Mayou: The dermatologist said make-up used with fingers can become infected by bacteria

‘And if you don’t put lids on things, this can leave your products - literally - open to infection.’

However, this clearly hadn’t been the case with any of my manky make-up.
My foundation sponges, however, didn’t disappoint. The lab tests revealed that more than a thousand bacteria were lurking on each one.

Dr Mayou is not surprised. ‘Bacteria live on the surface of all our skins so every time the sponge touches your skin, it can pick up bacteria. ‘If you then add water, a constituent of most foundations, you’re creating a medium for the bacteria to grow in,’ she explains.

‘At low levels, this can cause irritation, but in a worst-case scenario, your sponge could pick up a bacteria such as the staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is often present on skin, it could multiply on the spongeand if you used the sponge on broken skin, you could get a really nasty skin infection.’

On the flipside, beauty brands aren’t ignorant of the way consumers use their products and always ensurethe levels of preservatives, anti-bacterials and antifungals contained in their cosmetics reflect the way a product will be used, so they can guarantee it will stay safe.

But if that’s the case and if my, frankly disgusting, collection of make-up wasn’t going to do me any harm after five years, why is the beauty industry encouraging me to chuck it all out?

Surely it couldn’t be a cynical marketing ploy to get us to spend more money? Could it?

If I’m honest, it’s hard to think otherwise. After all, trace the origin of the latest rash of headlines on thesubject and you’ll find that they all stemmed from a press release issued by Debenhams Beauty Hall.

It warned that by using products beyond their use- by date, British women could be damaging their healthand their looks.

Sara Stern, director of cosmetics at Debenhams, said: ‘All our Beauty Hall staff members are on hand to advise customers of the use-by dates of their current items and help replenish any empty cosmetic bags.’

Altruism? Or a nice little earner? Even Dr Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic Toiletry andPerfumery Association, admits that best-before dates seem unnecessary.

‘Cosmetic products contain preservatives that are designed to preserve their integrity,’ he explains.

‘But if a product has been heavily contaminated, it would probably look odd, or smell bad, and the consumer would throw it away.’

If that’s the case, why can’t the beauty industry allow us to rely on our common sense instead of scaremongering?

Dr Flower says our increasingly litigious society is to blame.

‘A few years ago, lawyers began to worry that cosmetics companies would be liable if a customer had a bad reaction to a product that had been open for years and become contaminated.’

As a result, in 2003, it became compulsory for manufacturers to give their products use-by dates. These are in the form of the little jar symbol with a figure like ‘6M’ on it. This indicates that, under normal use, the product will remain stable for up to six months after opening.

‘We knew that we’d be accused of trying to boost sales,’ says Dr Flower. ‘So we tried to ensure that thevalidity periods were longer than it would take most consumers to use the product.

‘So, if we thought a pot of cream would usually last six months, we made sure that we could put a nine-month label on it.’ Perhaps, understandably, whether due to fear of lawsuits or the very real possibility that it might be bad for business, few within the beauty industry are prepared to condemn the practice of, almost arbitrarily, allocating use-by dates to cosmetics.

However one insider did agree to speak to me anonymously. ‘To be honest, most of the concerns about people becoming infected by their make-up date back to the days when people used to spit on mascara wands,’ she admits.
‘Formulations, preservatives and packaging have changed so much that now it would be virtually impossible to infect yourself with old make-up unless you’d actually dropped it down the loo or deliberately contaminated it.

‘But nobody in the industry is ever going to say that. We’re more than happy for the scare stories to keep doing the rounds.’

Obviously, I couldn’t possibly encourage you to ignore the use-by dates on your make-up. Undoubtedly there is a possibility - however slim - that you could get some terrible flesh-eating bug as a result.

But neither can I whole-heartedly recommend that you chuck it all out and start from scratch. Common sense, something that often seems to be all too absent from the beauty industry, must prevail.

Tired of those dark circles under your eyes?

2010-03-10T19:00:00.000Z

This helpful video gives tips to get rid of dark circles under your eyes....

Why not try from the kiss-and-make-up range...

1. Concealers
either L'Oreal Touche Magique Concealer Pen with Integral Soft Brush in Natural Beige or Warm Beige
or Constance Carroll Touch Away Concealer in Light

2. Foundations
either Maybelline Instant Rewind foundation in Cameo or Caramel with SPF 18 or
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Pure Beige or Sandy Beige

3. Face Powders
Constance Carroll Ultra Fine Pressed Powder in Translucent
or Constance Carroll Silk Finishing Loose Powder in Translucent

For those ladies out there who want to try the Gothic look...

2010-02-25T18:00:00.000Z

MissChievous produced this fantastic vid a little while back showing how to achieve the Gothic look, it is 10 minutes long but worth watching if you have ever wanted to try this look but have been unsure where to start!

Being a make-up artist she uses quite a number of shades to build the eye colour up and this is also true of the lipstick application at the end but of course the look is achievable using less shades but following the same basic principles.

Kiss-and-Make-up would suggest trying the following from our store towards achieving your Gothic look....

Eyeliner - Calvin Klein Gel Eyeliner in Emerald Black

Brushes - Body Collection 5 piece Cosmetic Brush set

Eyeshadows -

Constance Carrol Matt Eyeshadow - White or

Collection 2000 Matt Eyeshadow - Love (White)

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow - Shadow

Clinque Colour Surge Eyeshadow Duo Sample - Blackberry Frost

Eyebrow Pencil - Black eyebrow pencil

Mascaras - (although MissChievious doesn't mention mascara!)

Blinc Waterresistant Mascara Sample

Clinique High Impact Mini Mascara - Black

Lip Liners - Black Tulip Lip Liner or

Biotherm Lip Liner and Integral Lip Brush #170

Lipsticks - Urban Decay Pleather Pencil (and Sharpener) in Perversion or Rubber

and finally even though MissChievious doesn't mention nails...

Nail Varnish - Constance Carroll Diamond Gloss Ebony Nail Varnish

How to apply red lipstick (and get it to last!)

2010-02-20T18:00:00.002Z

Below is a wonderful little tutorial vid I stumbled across on the web showing us how to apply red lipstick.

Of course the technique would work for any colour lipstick but glam Hollywood lips are in at the mo so I thought I would share this and of course point you to some products at kiss-and-make-up to help you achieve the look!

Biotherm Lip Liner #170

Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick - All Heart

Bourjois So Rouge - Trendy Rouge

Bourjois So Rouge - Fashion Rouge

or if you are more Goth inclined...

Urban Decay Pleather Pencil Lipstick - Rubber

HAVE FUN LADIES!!

Very excited...New arrivals in February!

2010-02-18T18:00:00.001Z

What's new at Kiss-and-Make-up this month...


	Calvin Klein Delicious Truth Sheer Lipsticks available in Abstract, Backstage and Illusion
	Calvin Klein Gel Eyeliner in Emerald Black
	Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Lipstick CZJ - Catherine Zeta Jones
	Elizabeth Arden Metallic Lip Pencils available in Pink Bikini and Coral Reef
	Too Faced Technocolour Lip Injection Lip Plumping Glosses Plump your lips without surgery! available in Techno Buff, Kiss and Tart
	Benefit Silky Powder Eyeshadows available in Low Profile, Soft Shoulder and Bossy
	Bourjois So Rouge Lipsticks available in Fashion Rouge and Trendy Rouge

Eyeliner, and how to apply it so you don't look like a panda!

2010-02-15T14:36:00.000Z

What form of eye liner to use?

The choice here is between pencil, liquid or gel (unless you are using a damp fine brush and the darkest of your eye shadow shades).

Pencil eye liners - these are the easiest to use, and can be applied to both the upper eyelid, under the lower eyelashes too and even in some cases to the waterline of your eye. Make sure your pencil is soft enough to not drag or tug at your skin.

Liquid and gel eye liners - these require a more confident and steady hand and are best kept for the upper eyelid only and not on the waterline.

Let's get drawing!

Don't try to do the whole line in one sweep unless you have really steady hands, this is particularly important if you are using a liquid or gel eye liner. Instead use small even strokes heading towards the outside corner of your eyelid. Use a cotton bud or q-tip to gently stretch the eyelid up and give you a smooth base to work on, don't use your fingers as they will put too much pressure on your eyelid and stretch it too much.

Start drawing the line very close to the lashes in the middle of the eyelid and work with small strokes to the outside corner then come back and finish from the inside corner back up to the middle.

If you are applying eye liner to the lower lash line use a cotton bud/q-tip to smudge and soften.

If you are doing a "wing" it needs to follow the natural up-sweep line of the lower eye line (if you do not use eye liner under your eyes start it from the outside corner of the upper lid) and carry on its natural sweep up and out. Different lengths of wings suit different eyes, experiment!
Drawing on the eye water-line (the inside edge of the lower line) is a personal preference, but be wary if you have small eyes using a dark eye liner here can make your eyes look even smaller!

If you want a little visual guidance here is the wonderful Michelle Phan's video tutorial for applying eyeliner...

We now stock the Blinc / i2i Heated Eyelash Curler!

2010-01-13T20:18:00.000Z

Curl your lashes with gentle heat!

The Blinc/Curl i2i heated eyelash curler is simple to use and easily shapes lashes in seconds, with extravagant, long-lasting curves.

Works without clamping or using excessive pressure making it safer and not damaging for your lashes.
Nothing sets a curl better than heat...after all, that's how we curl the hair on our heads! It's the same for your lashes. Not only is it safer, heated curls last longer than pressure curls.
Delivers the precise amount of heat that can set a long lasting curl without damaging your lashes.
Simple yet advanced design gives you more control and makes it easy to reach and curl even your tiniest lashes.
Ready to use in 30 seconds, the Lash Curler only requires one AAA battery (which included so you can get started straight away).
It is small, compact making it easy to carry, even in the smallest makeup case or purse.
For your safety, the curler’s heated comb has a special built-in guard that prevents contact with your skin and eyes.

With this Curler, you can enjoy the benefits of curling your lashes, making them look wider, alert and more youthful!

PLEASE NOTE: the picture shows a curler with the Blinc logo, the curler you receive will be exactly the same in design but will have "Curl i2i" printed on the unit instead.

Tips on how to apply your eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara!

2009-11-16T18:30:00.053Z

This post is the third in a series of hints and tips to enable you to choose and use make-up confidently.

Part 1 looked at brushes and applicators and why you should use brushes to apply your make up, for hygiene as well as economic reasons.

In Part 2 we focused on your skin, how to hide those little problems with concealer, choose and apply foundation for a flawless finish and of course the finishing touch for your canvas, powder. And then once you have perfected your base how to be confident using blusher.

Here we focus on eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara and how get it all to stay in place!

Part 4 will focus on lips and Part 5 will be all about your hands!

If you want beautiful eyes, first you have to lay the right foundations!

Obviously, make sure your eyes are clean and fresh before you start!

Even your skin tone, hide those dark circles... get out your concealer!

In order to help your eye shadow last the day, and to give you a good clean "canvas" to work on, dot concealer over your eyelid and around your eye, make sure you don't miss out the area between the inner eye and your nose.

Blend the concealer (so you don't have any obvious pale blotches!) and lightly dust over with face powder to "fix". Right, now you are set to start applying your colour...

Choosing your eyeshadow

Pressed powder, mineral, cream, liquid or gel?

Pressed powders and minerals - These are the most popular because they are easiest to apply and of course in the case of minerals they contain no preservatives or chemicals either. Use a brush as it will give you more control as well as save you money by using less product and will keep your make-up cleaner for longer. Applying with a damp brush will give you a darker shade, which is useful if you are on a budget (who isn't at the moment?!) and can also turn your eye shadow, with the use of the correct brush, into an eyeliner.

Cream eye shadows - These are generally oil based and come in little pots or compacts, again apply with a brush. These are often a good choice for drier or more mature skins that need a little extra moisturising but avoid if you have oily skin as they will often just crease and "disappear".

Liquid eye shadows, cream to powders and gels - Often waxed based, the creamy texture means they don't drag your skin when you apply them, either use a brush to apply or often the liquid shadows come in tubes with a built in applicator.

Choosing your colour

Ok, so now you need to choose what colours to use. You might have your favourite eye shadows or you might consider the following;

- Choose a colourway that is complimentary to your skin tone, is your tone cool (very pale, almost a blue undertone) or warm (ivory, cream with a yellowish tinge)?

- Having decided cool or warm, for every day wear the following suggestions might give you new ideas to try..

or alternatively you may have your own

Applying your eyeshadow...

So you have decided what kind of shadow you want to use, you have your brushes all ready and you have applied a primer or concealer and a light dusting of powder to clean eyes... we are ready to start!

Adding the colour to accentuate your eyes!

First apply the highlighter (the lightest shade in your palette) using a brush and add a light dusting over the whole eyelid and up to the brow bone.

Second take your middle toned colour and apply to the eye lid, taking care to blend it gently with the highlighter at the eyelid crease so you don't have an obvious stop and start line.

Lastly, take your darkest shade from your palette and apply to the eyelid on the outside corner blending in carefully towards the middle of the eyelid and up, again we are trying to avoid harsh lines.

Using a fine brush also apply a very little under the lower eye lashes blending from the outside corner in toward the middle of the eye, be careful not to apply too much, we are going for sophisticated glamour rather than Chi-Chi the Panda!

Eyeliner, and how to apply it so you don't look like a panda!

What form of eye liner?

The choice here is between pencil, liquid or gel (unless you are using a damp fine brush and the darkest of your eye shadow shades).

Pencil eye liners - these are the easiest to use, and can be applied to both the upper eyelid, under the lower eyelashes too and even in some cases to the waterline of your eye. Make sure your pencil is soft enough to not drag or tug at your skin.

Liquid and gel eye liners - these require a more confident and steady hand and are best kept for the upper eyelid only and not on the waterline.

Let's get drawing!

Don't try to do the whole line in one sweep unless you have really steady hands, this is particularly important if you are using a liquid or gel eye liner. Instead use small even strokes heading towards the outside corner of your eyelid. Use a cotton bud or q-tip to gently stretch the eyelid up and give you a smooth base to work on, don't use your fingers as they will put too much pressure on your eyelid and stretch it too much.

Start drawing the line very close to the lashes in the middle of the eyelid and work with small strokes to the outside corner then come back and finish from the inside corner back up to the middle.

If you are applying eye liner to the lower lash line use a cotton bud/q-tip to smudge and soften.

If you are doing a "wing" it needs to follow the natural up-sweep line of the lower eye line (if you do not use eye liner under your eyes start it from the outside corner of the upper lid) and carry on its natural sweep up and out. Different lengths of wings suit different eyes, experiment!

Drawing on the eye water-line (the inside edge of the lower line) is a personal preference, but be wary if you have small eyes using a dark eye liner here can make your eyes look even smaller!

If you want a little visual guidance here is the wonderful Michelle Phan's video tutorial for applying eyeliner...

Flutter your lashes... use mascara!

Mascara is the last thing you apply, after your eye shadow and your eye liner.

There are many colours to choose from such as Black, Dark Blue, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Dark Purple and Dark Green.

Many manufacturers will promise you fantastic lengths, curls etc because of the wand they have created, but in fact a short, straight mascara brush will give you the most control and is the easiest to use. A word of good advice is to never pump the wand in and out of the tube as this just pushes air into the tube and makes the mascara dry out faster, instead just turn the wand inside the tube for a twist or two and this will coat the brush evenly for you.

Before you start check the wand for any clumps and gently sweep them onto a tissue, better there than on your lashes!

Apply the mascara to the upper lashes from beneath the lashes, holding the mirror slightly up so you are naturally looking upward and use a gentle zig-zag motion to coat as much of the eyelashes as possible, don't forget the lashes at the outside corner of your eye.

To apply to the lower lashes, hold the brush vertically and sweep from the root down to the tip, this takes practice (not to poke yourself in the eye!) but the result is worth it.

Separate your lashes using a lash comb.

If at any point you make a mistake (or sneeze!) use a cotton bud or q-tip dipped in cleanser to wipe away.

Eyebrows are your final framing touch

Eyebrows provide a frame for your eyes and tend to look best when they follow the natural shape of your eyes.

To find the start and end point for your brow take a pencil and hold it against the outside of your nose and across the tear duct (in the corner of your eye) the tip of the pencil will point to where your eyebrow should begin, next tilt the pencil so it runs from your nose to the crease at the outside of your eye and this is where your brow should end, simple!

Pluck out the excess hairs or feather in where brow is missing using an eyebrow pencil that matches your natural colour and use an eyebrow comb to neaten.

Shimmer at Christmas....

2009-11-13T18:00:00.010Z

PERFECT FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES...

Urban Decay Sparkly Sweet Body Powders

kissable, lickable sparkly body powder, put it anywhere you want to shimmer and/or be kissed! Comes with a Leopard print powder puff and is contained in it's own box. Not tested on animals! Available in ...

Urban Decay Sparkly Sweet Body Balm 80g -

kissable, lickable sparkly body balm. Scented and flavoured, leaves your skin soft and smooth (with a capital "SMOO"!) put it anywhere you want to shimmer and/or be kissed! Comes with a soft sponge and is presented in it's own box. Not tested on animals!

Available in....

and the body balms have matching lip glosses too....Gorgeous shimmery, sparkling and sheer lip gloss Looks and tastes fantastic, all the fun of a Pina Colada, Mai Tai or Cosmopolitan but without the hangover! Easy to apply, glides on and come sealed and in a plastic box as shown

Blinc mascara and eyeliner won't let you down!

2009-11-10T18:30:00.005Z

At Christmas parties, family get-togethers, whatever the occasion you can trust your Blinc mascara or eyeliner to stay put! Through tears of joy (or frustration!) Blinc will not smudge, run or flake and is totally water-resistant.

FREE Blinc Mascara sample trial size now available!

AND...

Glitter Nail Varnish offer!

2009-11-05T18:00:00.004Z

We figure every girl needs a little sparkle for Christmas so....

we have decided to put our glitter nail varnish on special offer!

Gold or Silver glitter nail varnish now only 49p each

Quick tips for fuller lips - get pouty for Christmas!

2009-11-03T18:55:00.000Z

Here Joette Balsamo shares a quick and traditional way to create the illusion of fuller lips...

Apply lip balm either with lip brush or fingertips to prepare your lips
Define lips with lip pencil (either peach, rose, mauve or brown) or 2-3 shades brighter than your natural lip tone - don't do the traditional drawing around the lips instead use the pencil like a lipstick
Finish with a lip gloss to the middle of the pout to make the lips seem plumper and create dimension

Voila!

Lessons from a lipstick queen... don't give up!

2009-08-09T22:56:00.003+01:00

I found this article about Poppy King quite inspirational to read, I have no doubt some would have given up at the 2002 point when her company went under but it is all credit to her that she learnt and came back stronger.

BBC news - Lessons from a Lipstick Queen

No more panda eyes, come rain or shine!

2009-07-08T11:05:00.008+01:00

Whatever the weather you can count on your Blinc mascara or eyeliner to stay put! Through rain, tears or a sauna Blinc will not smudge, run or flake.

FREE Blinc Mascara sample trial size now available!

AND...

Who wants a flawless, perfect looking complexion?

2009-01-29T11:00:00.003Z

Ok, we all know that pictures in magazines and on posters are air-brushed and photoshopped to perfection, however this is the second in a series of hints and tips to help you achieve the best results possible for flawless looking skin and enable you to choose and use make-up confidently.

Previously we looked at why we should use brushes and applicators. Now we focus on your skin, how to hide those little problems with concealer, choose and apply foundation for a flawless finish and of course the finishing touch for your canvas, powder. And then once you have perfected your base read on and be confident using blusher.

Next time we will concentrate on eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara tips and how to apply your lipstick and get it to stay! And then finally we will give tips for beautiful nails!

To start with you need to choose the right foundation for you so...

How to choose and apply foundation for a flawless complexion

Which type of foundation is best suited to your age and skin type?

Tinted moisturisers - these are a combination of moisturiser and foundation. They give light coverage and are really best suited to younger skin or already fairly flawless skin. These are the only foundations that can be blended well using your fingertips.

Liquid foundations- these are the most popular as they are easy to apply and suitable for almost all skins except those that are very dry. At the other end of the spectrum if your skin is very oily, there are oil free and oil controlling formulae available to help keep the shine under control.

Mousse foundations - these have come to the fore more recently, again they can be moisturising however there are lighter varieties available so they can be used by most skin types. Cream foundations - these are thicker than the liquid foundations, and tend to be moisturising which makes them more suitable for mature and/or dry skin.

Compact foundations - these are often cream to powder formulations, an all in one make up base which you apply in the same way as a liquid or cream for medium coverage and are suitable for most skin types.

Mineral powder foundations - well unless you've had your head in the clouds for the last year or so should have at least heard of mineral make-up! Made from milled naturally occurring earth minerals, such as gold, zinc or titanium these powders contain no harsh chemicals, preservatives or dyes, are non-comedogenic and could possibly be a wonderful solution for those with sensitive skin. Mineral powders are very versatile and offer great control over colour build up. They are very light on skin and have the added bonus of being highly smudge-resistant too.

Ok, so now you know the type you're looking for ...

What about the colour?

This is the part that seems to put a lot of women off, but it needn't. Try the foundation on the inside of your forearm, the colour of your skin here is very close to the colour of your neck. You should be aiming for a tone that is one shade lighter than your face. Give the foundation you are trying a few minutes to dry and then look at it in natural light, it should be virtually invisible on your inner forearm, see it's simple!

So now you have your correct type and your perfect shade ...

How to apply your foundation

Tinted moisturisers can be applied with fingertips but for the other types of foundation you will need a damp cosmetic sponge and proceed as follows:-

Put a dot of foundation on your forehead and cheeks and a very small amount on your nose.

Using the damp cosmetic sponge blend out from the nose toward the edges of your face, over and out above the eyebrows and then, sweeping out from the nose, across the cheeks down to the ears and also down to the jaw line.

By taking the colour from the centre outwards you will achieve a blended look more easily and shouldn't be left with any tell tale "tide lines". Also by using downward strokes you will be following the natural lie of your facial hair making the whole application easier and giving a better finish.

Lastly use a gentle touch over the eyelids in preparation for eyeshadow later.

Cover up (the art of using concealer!)

Let's be honest, every single one of us has at some time or another found something on our face we would rather hide from the world and for those times, thank heavens for concealers!! They, coupled with foundation and powder, enable you to achieve that perfect skin we all crave.

There are many different varieties of concealer some are sticks, some creams, others tubes and even it even comes in pots.

Concealers can be used to hide dark circles when you've had one too many late nights, veins and freckles and of course ... (we all get them sometime!) spots.

Choosing the correct shade

You should choose a colour that is one shade lighter than your foundation, if you choose a shade that is too light you could end up highlighting the problem you are trying to conceal!

How to apply your concealer

As concealers are thicker than foundation it is important to use a fine tipped brush for the most accurate application otherwise you will end up with a pale splodge where you are trying to hide a problem. Dot carefully and blend in gently with the immediately surrounding area.

Now you're covered, get set ... How to choose and use face powder

Powder helps your make-up stay in place; it sets it, provides a smooth, natural and shine-free finish to your skin, it also helps your make-up stay put through the day and can be retouched at any time to refresh your look.

Face powder comes in two forms:-

Loose powders - these are light as air and easiest to use. They give you the smoothest and most natural of finishes and because they are loose powders they are much less likely to leave "streaky" patches on your skin.

Pressed powders - these are compacted powder and (often) oil together, so can be a bit heavier on the skin making it more difficult to avoid streaks, however pressed powders are ideal and more convenient for touching your skin up in the middle of the day so it is wise to have the same shade as your loose powder in a pressed powder for touching up when you need to refresh your look.

How to apply face powder

Firstly powder should be applied after foundation and concealer but before blusher (unless you use a cream blusher) and eyeshadow. Use a big, rounded brush (sponges and puffs tend to pick up too much powder).

Dab the brush gently into the powder, tap off the excess and then lightly brush it over your face and eyelids using the same strokes you use to apply foundation; going out from the nose toward the edges of your face, over and out above the eyebrows and then, sweeping out from the nose, across the cheeks down to the ears and also down to the jaw line, and passing finally over the eyelids to prepare them for eyeshadow.

By using downward strokes on your face you will be following the natural lie of facial hair giving you a better finish.

Are you blushing? How to choose and use blusher

You've applied your foundation and your powder and your skin is looking great so now you need to give those cheeks just a little colour and give you a fresh healthy glow.

Blushers come in two basic forms and of course is also now available in mineral make-up:-

Powder - these are the easiest to use, apply after your foundation and face powder with a big rounded brush. Powders work for all skin types but if your skin is oily powder blusher will last longer than creams or mousses.

Cream or Mousse - these are generally applied with fingertips or sponges over foundation but before face powder.

Choosing the right colour

Aim for a colour that mimics the colour of your cheeks after exercise; remember we're going for a natural healthy glow here.

How to apply your blusher

Powder - Apply after your foundation and face powder. Take a big rounded brush, gently brush over the blusher and tap off the excess before you start to use as it's far easier to apply a little more than it is to take too much off!

Gently, flicking your wrist, sweep the brush from the apple of your cheek along the cheekbone out to your hairline, then blend with a downward stroke from the cheekbone, this diffuses the colour to make it more natural and also follows the lie of your facial hair.

Cream or Mousse - Dab a few dots over your cheeks, using fingertips or a moist sponge work from the apple of your cheek along the cheekbone towards the hairline. Blend well for a natural finish. As with powder blusher, you can build more colour with creams and mousses to get the amount you want so go carefully as it is easier to apply more than take too much off!

So you want to look like a model...

2009-01-22T19:50:00.005Z

I came across this on a beauty blog and found it thought provoking and so wanted to share it with you too.

The "The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty" is on a global mission to make women feel more beautiful each day by challenging the received stereotypes of beauty we see in magazines, on posters and via media etc

To read more about the campaign follow this link "The Campaign for Real Beauty"

Let's talk about cosmetic brushes!

2009-01-19T10:00:00.002Z

This is the first in a series of hints and tips to enable you to choose and use make-up confidently.

To start with in this post we look at brushes and applicators and why and how you should use brushes to apply your make up.

In following blogs we will focus on how to choose and apply foundation and powder for a flawless finish, offer a little concealer help or inspire you to be confident using blusher.

Eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara tips will follow on from there, as well as how to apply your lipstick and get it to stay in place!

And finally there will be tips for beautiful nails and hands.

Why do you need brushes and applicators?

Many women think they don't need make-up brushes and applicators, perhaps they believe their fingers are better... mmm ... well fingers, for a start, are not as precise as a brush or an applicator can be no matter how adept you are with your pinkies! Also there are germs that live, quite naturally, on fingertips that will transfer to your make up each time you apply it, making your cosmetics increasingly contaminated.

Not convinced? Ok ... if you use your fingers to apply your make up you wash your hands (before as well as after hopefully!) so think about all the make up you are actually just washing straight down the plughole. Yes, brushes do need washing once in a while, but not each time you use them and so by using brushes you are washing away less of your cosmetics and this means there is more there for you to use on your face.

So brushes give greater precision, cleanliness and, in the long run, they save you money!

Which brushes and applicators to use and for what?

You can choose to buy a set or individual brushes depending on your own needs;

Sponges - these are great for applying foundations, use moist to help with blending for a flawless complexion.

Powder/blusher brushes - luxurious, big, soft and bushy, these brushes hold a good amount of powder to dust lightly across your face giving you a natural rather than overloaded look.

Eye brushes - much smaller than powder and blusher brushes, these allow for precise application of eyeshadow, used chiselled brushes for even greater control for applying shadow to your eyelids, and rounded brushes for highlighers under the brow bone.

Sponge applicators - facilitate blending of eyeshadows

Eye liner brushes - these are very fine for the greatest control, just what you need for such delicate lines. These can be used wet with your favourite eyeshadow to use the shadow as eye liner.

Eyebrow brushes - to keep your eyebrows combed and under control.

Eyelash brushes - these brushes are useful to separate lashes after applying mascara.

Lip brushes - use these to apply your lipstick carefully, precisely and to shape your lips how you want them to appear. Using lip brushes will make your lipstick stay for longer and look better.

Look after them! (Brush care)...

Right, so you've finally decided to invest in your own set of brushes, now you need to take a few simple steps to look after them so they last and do the job they need to do for you for years to come:-

Store brushes where air can circulate around them

Don't blow on them if you have too much product on them just tap the handle or shake the brush.

You should clean your brushes around once a month, run warm water over the bristles until it runs clear, gently squeeze the bristles to push out the remaining water, reshape and allow to air dry for 24 hours, oh and DO NOT be tempted to use a hairdryer to dry them or you'll melt the bristles!!

Blinc is the best...

2009-01-13T18:48:00.008Z

Just read this little gem and thought I would share; Cult Beauty Blog tested Blinc against L'Oreal's Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara and decided Blinc, the original, is still the best! I, of course, agree ..

Blinc Mascara - available at Kiss-and-Make-up in Black, Dark Blue, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Purple and Dark Green

FREE Blinc Mascara sample trial size now available!

Please note; we charge only postage and packing for all Blinc mini samples. These samples are intended for trial purposes only and not for purchase in quantity therefore multiple purchases will be charged the same costs for each.

Minerals minerals minerals!

2009-01-09T10:23:00.008Z

Well unless you've had your head in a bucket for the last year you will know minerals are all the rage at the moment!

Made from milled naturally occurring earth minerals, such as gold, zinc or titanium these powders contain no harsh chemicals, preservatives or dyes, are non-comedogenic and could possibly be a wonderful solution for those with sensitive skin.

Mineral powders are very versatile and offer great control over colour build up. They are very light on skin and have the added bonus of being highly smudge-resistant too.

L'Oreal True Match Minerals Foundation W6 Honey

L'Oreal Blush Minerals Soft Rose 40

L'Oreal Color Minerals Eyeshadow Pearly Rose 02

L'Oreal Color Minerals Eyeshadow Desert Shimmer 03

Kiss-and-Make-up January Sale begins....

2009-01-02T20:27:00.003Z

50% OFF selected items!

The Purple Kiss Blog!

2008-11-21T09:22:00.041Z

Well, purple is the colour this season so.... new in at kiss-and-make-up (and keeping that purple theme!)

			Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Eyeshadow Duo Tulle/Smoke 2.3g Pink/Plum only £10.50
			Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Duo 1.2g - Blackberry Frost (sample/trial size) only £3.99
			L'Oreal Color Resist Waterproof Eyeshadow 6ml Crystal Mauve 21 only £2.99
			Bourjois Eyeshadow Waterproof Survolteel Parme Electro 4 Lilac Purple only £3.25
			Bourjois Eyeshadow 1.5g Feu d'Artifice 26 only £2.99
			Blinc Water Resistant Mascara - Dark Purple only £18.00
			L'Oreal Cashmere Perfect Blush 494 Soft Rose Brand New in Box only £3.99
			Urban Decay Pleather Pencil Lipstick - Perversion only £3.45
			L'Oreal Endless Kissable ShineWear Lipstick 535 Berry Irresistible Brand New In Box only £3.99
			Maybelline Colorama Nail Varnish 7.5ml Wonder Violet 67 only £1.75
			Urban Decay Sparkly Sweet Body Powder with Leopard Puff 18g - Blackberry only £5.25

WANT TO TRY SOMETHING GREAT?....

2008-11-12T23:14:00.008Z

Maybelline Dream Mousse eyeshadows!!!

2008-11-09T18:57:00.005Z

Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyeshadows

Light as air, easy to apply, easy to build and easy to blend!

available in....

Plum Temptation

Divine Lilac
Eden Green
Heavenly Blue

Want a flawless, perfect looking skin?

2008-11-09T12:13:00.005Z

Hello!

Second Squidoo in the planned series is now available to visit, read and rate.

This one entitled "Want a flawless, perfect looking skin?" offers advice and tips on choosing and using foundation, concealer, powder and blusher.

Please do visit if you have a moment, sign the guestbook and give the page a star rating.

Thank you!

PS Part 1 "Want help choosing the right cosmetic brushes?" is also available now too!
Working on Part 3 which will be all about eyes and lips, and Part 4 on nails which will follow soon.

NEWS NEWS NEWS

2008-11-06T20:21:00.008Z

Exciting stuff!

I am in the process of writing a small "how to" series on Squidoo

Part 1 is "Want help choosing the right cosmetic brushes?"

Part 2 is coming soon and will be about how to achieve that flawless complexion we all wish we had naturally!

Part 3 will focus on eyes and lips and Part 4 on beautiful nails.

I will keep you posted!

If you visit and read the page, please take time to sign the guestbook and rate the page using the stars at the top, I am new to squidoo'ing so bare this in mind when rating or commenting - thanks!

FREE Christmas Red nail varnish...

2008-10-21T23:13:00.003+01:00

At Kiss-and-Make-Up

with every order placed we are including a FREE Christmassy Red nail varnish

perfect for glamourous nails on a budget!!!

Mascara, foundation and blushers!

2008-08-14T12:38:00.006+01:00

NEW PRODUCTS in at kiss-and-make-up this week...

Max Factor Masterpiece mascara

This mascara is designed to define and separate your lashes to give fabulous volume and definition!

L'Oreal's high tech IFX brush evenly coats every lash, even the hard to reach ones at the corners of your eyes to create beautifully framed eyes with up to 5X more volume than bare lashes.

L'Oreal Blush Delicieux

Blush Delicieux is a sheer, soft-powder blush infused with Vitamin C that will give cheeks a healthy, radiant glow! It goes on smoothly, blends easily, and allows buildable coverage . This blusher comes in a good quality compact with mirror and brush. Available in Candy Cane Pink, Rosewood, Sandalwood Veil, Spicy Brown, and True Rose

Max Factor Silk Perfection Foundation

Both natural and sheer this liquid-to-powder foundation provides the coverage of a liquid with a silky powder finish. 100% oil and fragrance free.

Apply with a sponge for a flawless and natural long lasting finish. Comes in mirrored compact (with instructions) in a sealed pack.

FREE UV Glow nail varnish with every order...

2008-08-05T18:02:00.004+01:00

FREE UV Glow CLEAR nail varnish with every order placed at www.kiss-and-make-up.co.uk (hurry only while stocks last!)

This is a great transparent /clear 15ml nail varnish. You can use it on it's own or over your favourite nail colour and it glows under UV light.

Great for raves, clubs and parties...

Make up..... how it all began (to where we are now)

2008-07-12T15:25:00.004+01:00

Mascara For The Gods: The History of Make-up
Part Two: The Modern World (continued)

The 1870s in Poland brought another innovator to the world of modern cosmetics, Helena Rubinstein. The oldest of eight children, she briefly studied medicine in Switzerland and immigrated to Australia in 1902. She noticed that Australian women had rough reddish faces that required cosmetic attention. She opened a modest shop in Melbourne, where she dispensed her "crème Valaze" and instructed women individually on how to care for their skin. She worked long hours and her shop prospered. In 1908 she traveled to London with $100,000 to start what would become an international organization.

She married an American journalist and lived in Paris until the outbreak of World War One. At this time she moved to America and opened beauty salons throughout the country, where her skin care and creams were in very high demand. Major department stores all clamored to sell her products. She was a brilliant innovator in developing her business so that it required routines and women. She trained her sales people to instruct skin care and devised a diet plan for beauty as well. She understood and appreciated the value of advertising and made full use of it. In 1957 she introduced the "Mascaramatic," the very first automatic, no- water- needed version of mascara as women know it today.

In 1915, a gentleman named T.L. Williams founded The Maybelline Company. As the story goes, his brand of mascara was brought to the masses after he watched his older sister, Mabel, apply her secret beauty trick to her lashes. He was struck by the idea that other women might not only be interested in her concoction, but also be willing to pay for it. Mabel’s magic formula was either a mixture of petroleum jelly and coal dust or just plain petroleum jelly to which her brother added a darkening agent when he began to sell his "Lash-Brow-line" through his own mail-order catalogue.

Early sales were very slow. In 1915, T.L. Williams changed the name of the product to Maybelline in honor of his sister, Mabel and a base ingredient of the new product, Vaseline petroleum jelly. The product was served up in a cake form and came with a tiny brush, which needed to be wet. Rubbing the brush back and forth across the cake, the product was then stroked into the lashes and allowed to dry. Early cake mascaras were made mainly of beeswax, the wax of the carnauba palm and a coloring agent.

No history of cosmetics could be complete without the mention of Charles Revson, creator of Revlon Cosmetics and of Estee Lauder and Hazel Bishop.

Born in Boston in 1906 and miffed that he didn’t land the job of national distributor in the cosmetics firm where he worked, Revson convinced his brother and a chemist friend, Charles Lachman, to launch their own business. They specialized in nail polishes in a greater variety of colors than was available elsewhere and sold them first through salons and then through department stores. Eventually, they introduced matching lipsticks with exotic names for the colors. Who can forget "cherries in the snow" red? To this day, it is available unchanged as it was originally created. Despite his difficult personality, the business was a phenomenal success under his leadership, first as president and then as chairman.

In the same year that Charles Revson was born, a lady named Hazel Bishop made her entrance into the world in Hoboken, New Jersey. She worked as a chemist with the Standard Oil Development Company and in 1949, after a long series of home experiments, perfected a lipstick that stayed on the lips longer than any other product available at the time. The following year she formed Hazel Bishop, Inc. to manufacture her "Lasting" also known as "Kissable" lipstick. The lipstick was a great success and other manufacturers soon introduced similar products.

Josephine Estelle Mentzner was the daughter of immigrants who lived above her father’s hardware store in Corona, a section of Queens in New York City. Estee was her nickname and she married into Lauder. She began her multi-million dollar enterprise in 1946 in beauty shops, beach clubs and resorts by selling skin creams concocted by her uncle who was a chemist.

Simply speaking, she outworked everyone else in the cosmetics industry. She stalked the bosses of New York City department stores until she got some counter space at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1948. Secure in that position, she utilized a personal selling approach that proved to be as potent as the promise of her skin regimens and perfumes. Even after 40 years in business, Estee Lauder would attend every launch of a new cosmetics counter or shop, traveling as far away as Moscow and other Eastern European cities. Only declining health has slowed her down.

The beat goes on, not only for Sonny and Cher, but also for L’Oreal, Lancôme and a host of other cosmetics lines that have proved successful in today’s marketplace. In short, there are many ways to put on "a new coat of paint" and the art is as old as time itself. So keep painting, ladies and don’t ever forget that even though clothes may make the man, cosmetics make the woman!

Mascara For The Gods: The History of Make-up
Part Two: The Modern World
by Marjorie Dorfman

Make up..... how it all began (part 2)

2008-07-12T15:22:00.000+01:00

Mascara For The Gods: The History of Make-up
Part Two: The Modern World

The art of makeup progresses from the ancient world into the modern age. How did it develop and what changes did it bring that are still in use today? Read on for some answers whether your lipstick blots or not.

It may be a matter of contention as to exactly when the modern world began, but it is known that the people of the Middle Ages learned nothing about cleanliness and godliness from the Egyptians of the ancient world. Even royalty rarely bathed, too busy seeking salvation and divine right in the smelly, dark and unresolved corners of their souls. It was not a period known for great advances in or consumption of cosmetics either. (With people rarely bathing, make-up could only have been considered superfluous to the concept of physical attraction). In those days, prostitutes wore blush, even though there was little to actually blush about. Still, it was not until the advent of the sixteenth century and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I that natural beauty preparations came back into vogue.

Elizabeth I became one of Britain’s most celebrated users of cosmetics. During her reign (1558-1603) women used a white lead face paint and mercury sulfide for rouge, but the lead was mixed with vinegar to create a paste called "ceruse." The mixture caused hair to fall out and its extensive use throughout the Elizabethan era explains the fashion for high foreheads, as hairlines began to recede. (And when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and when life gives you lemons, as the sayings go.) At this time, lipsticks were made from a mixture of cochineal and beeswax and occasionally a stain rendered from dark red plant dyes. That was at least one step up from the carmine beetles and ant eggs of Cleopatra’s time, wouldn’t you say?)

Coupled with white powdered wigs, this "ceruse" look became the height of fashion during the 16th century. Pale skin was a sign of nobility, wealth and delicacy. In an age when skin problems and the pox were commonplace and treatments for such out of reach for all but the wealthy, smooth, unblemished and pale skin was a rarity. The ceruse mixture was applied to the neck and bosom as well as the face. The first record of its use was in 1521, and by the time Elizabeth’s reign was fully established, it was considered an essential item for the fashionable woman of the day. Of course this was only for the ladies of the court. The lower and middle classes did not have the time or resources to devote to serious makeup. The wives of young merchants were notorious for their fancy dress and makeup, but otherwise cosmetics rarely touched the face of the average Elizabethan housewife.

Spreading lead on one’s skin caused a variety of problems and some authors of the time warned against it, describing how it made the skin "grey and shriveled" and suggesting other mixtures such as a paste of alum and tin ash, sulfur and a variety of other foundations utilizing boiled white egg and talc as a base. Uncooked egg white was also suggested for use as a "glaze" for the complexion. It created a smooth shell and helped to hide wrinkles. (Hell, if that didn’t work, there was always the egg white omelet alternative.)

Not much is heard about wearing makeup in Europe until after the French Revolution, when the act of doing so was considered extravagant, brazen and uncouth. Perhaps this attitude was the result of so many formidable citizens losing their heads during the Reign of Terror, rendering makeup unnecessary, to say the very least. A revival (of makeup, not heads) occurred during the 1800s before which the use of any form of blusher, powder and lipstick had virtually disappeared in Europe and was permitted only on the stage. The ideology was that lipstick and blusher created a false image and an attempt to recapture youth. In 1770 a British law was proposed to Parliament granting grounds for annulment in the case of any marriage that was entered into with a woman who used cosmetics prior to the wedding day. In 1792 an English Gentleman’s magazine claimed that "women with wooly white hair and fiery red faces resembled skinned sheep."

In the 1870s in Poland, a man named Max Faktor was born. He would become the father of modern makeup. One of ten children, at the tender age of eight, Max was placed in apprenticeship with a dentist/pharmacist. Years of mixing potions turned into a small business, his own shop, where he sold hand-made rouges, creams, fragrances and wigs. His big break came when a traveling theater troupe wore his makeup while performing for Russian nobility. He became the official cosmetic expert for the royal family and the Imperial Russian Grand Opera.

In 1904, Faktor and his family immigrated to America. At the World’s Fair held that same year in St. Louis, he sold his rouges and creams under the name given to him at Ellis Island, Max Factor. In 1908, he moved his family to Los Angeles and in 1914 created a makeup for movie actors. Unlike the theatrical makeup in vogue at the time, his would not crack or cake. This "flexible greasepaint" became very popular with movie stars, and producers often sought to rent his human hair wigs. He allowed the wigs to be rented to the producers of the old westerns on the condition that his sons were given parts as extras. The boys would keep an eye on the expensive wigs in between avoiding bullets and arrows from all the cowboys and Indians. Factor introduced his line of cosmetics to the public in the 1920s, insisting that every girl could look like a movie star by using his makeup.

Mascara For The Gods: The History of Make-up
Part Two: The Modern World
by Marjorie Dorfman

Make up ..... how it all began

2008-07-11T10:03:00.000+01:00

Did you ever wonder where make-up came from?

It’s almost as old as the hills. In fact, cosmetics have been around ever since there have been people living in or around the hills to use them. Their history (cosmetics, not the hills) reads like a melodrama, involving poison, divorce, bugs, hair loss, blood thinning, miscarriage, prostitution and even death. Not even the most sensational soap opera today could claim such a variety of catastrophic events in a single episode!

Belief in the evil eye is a mystery in many ways, not the least of which is its origins. It is an ancient concept that is found in virtually all cultures known to man. Perhaps it goes back to early man glimpsing his own image in miniature in the eyes of others. The phenomenon of pupil reflection causes one’s own image to appear in the dark of the pupil of another’s. Perhaps the evil eye stems from the fear that this image might be somehow stolen. This might account for the belief of many early native Americans, including Chief Crazy Horse, who upon his capture by soldiers after the Battle of The Little Bighorn, refused to be photographed because he feared the "capture" of his soul.

Regardless of the exact truth, the Egyptians had their own particular solution for "the evil eye." It was Kohl, history’s first mascara. Worn by both men and women, it was applied in a circle or oval around the eyes. It’s chemical base was antimony, a metal, burnt almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, chrysocolla (a blue-green copper ore) or any combination thereof. It was applied with a small stick and kept in a flat-bottomed pot with a wide, tiny rim and flat disk-shaped lid. Soothsayers were known to have prepared the compound for men, but women created their own formulas, using secret ingredients. (Perhaps Helena Rubinstein really got her start here and was reincarnated with the secret knowledge when she brought the first wand mascara to New York in the 1950s.)

Practically speaking, darkly painted circles around the eyes absorb sunlight and minimize reflections. Usually, the Egyptians painted the upper and lower eyelids in a line that extended to the sides of the face for an almond effect. Today, many baseball and football players smear black grease under each eye before games for the same reason. The early Egyptians, spending considerable time in the harsh desert sunlight, may have discovered this secret and developed mascara for both pragmatic and superstitious purposes.

Face painting is mentioned as far back as the Old Testament (Ezekiel 23:40) and eye shadows, made from ground up semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and malachite, were used in Egyptian burial ceremonies dating back to 10,000 BC. In the ancient city of Ur, near Babylon, some 5,000 years ago, lipstick first reared its lovely red head. It is said that Cleopatra’s lipsticks were made from finely crushed carmine beetles, which rendered a deep red pigment. This mixture was then combined with ant eggs. (If you can’t kill them when they invade that proverbial picnic, eat them, I suppose. Ugh!)

an extract from:
Mascara For the Gods: A History of Make-up
Part One: The Ancient World
by Marjorie Dorfman

Blinc mascaras, eye liners and primer now available!

2008-05-13T09:18:00.000+01:00

Kiss-and-Make-up.co.uk are very very excited to say....the Blinc Mascaras, Primer and Eyeliners have arrived!

Completely smudgeproof

non-flaking

won't clump

no more smears or runs

safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

water resistant yet... here is the amazing bit.. removable with only water and very gentle pressure

These mascaras and eyeliners stay put through tears, PMS, rain, sport and hot sticky days and glamorous evenings out...They really do work!!! Only water and gentle pressure together will remove the mascara.. water on it's own won't and neither will rubbing your eyes.

Used by celebs such as J Lo, Lucy Liu and Anna Friel these mascaras and eyeliners are truly fantastic...

Want to know how they work? Read on..

***

Blinc Mascara - available in Black, Dark Blue, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Purple and Dark Green

Blinc mascara works by tubing your lashes instead of painting them, it is not an oil-based formula like traditional mascaras so it doesn't smudge, run, clump or flake it is ideal for those of us with sensitive peepers or who were contact lenses.

Apply just like a normal mascara, it sets to form tubes around your lashes giving volume and length. It does not penetrate either your lashes or your skin unlike most mascaras on the market today.

When you are ready to remove it at the end of the day, just use water and gentle pressure (no need for wasting your money on harsh chemical make-up removers, in fact they won't take it off! And definitely no scrubbing at your eyes!)

Yes it's cost is on par with the likes of Chanel and YSL but that is because it is a superior product and it lasts for ages. As it is not oil based it doesn't dry out in the tube like mascaras usually do so one tube will last you 2-3 times as long but for less money that you would spend on 2-3 of your usual mascara!

Also....

Blinc Lash Primer to condition, strengthen and give even more volume

This is a lash builder and base coat that is vitamin enriched and conditions your lashes.

It can be used under the blinc mascara (or any other mascara but obviously it works best with blinc) or one its own as a lash conditioner.

Just like the mascara and the eyeliner it is removed with water and gentle pressure.

Great for those not naturally endowed with J Lo's lashes.

And....

Blinc Eyeliner - available in Black, Blue, Medium Brown and Grey

just like the mascara...

smudgeproof

non-flaking

no more smears or runs

safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

water resistant yet... here is the amazing bit.. removable with only water and very gentle pressure

This liquid eyeliner forms an intense and dramatic water-resistant layer of colour around the contour of your eye (not inside the eye rim).

It is not a cosmetic paint like traditional eyeliners and has all the same product benefits as the mascara with the same easy water and very gentle pressure removal.

The eyeliner does not penetrate your skin and leaves no residue or build up behind.

It is safe for daily use and ideal again for those with sensitive eyes or who wear contact lenses.

Again when you are done with the day, finished partying removal requires just water and gentle pressure from your fingertip, a cloth or a cotton bud. Oil based make-up removers will not work!

BLINC - YOU HAVE TO TRY IT TO BELIEVE IT!

Kissable and lickable body shimmers and balms - get your skin ready for the summer!

2008-04-14T20:00:00.000+01:00

New in at Kiss-and-Make-up.co.uk .....

Urban Decay Sparkly Sweet Body Powders

Urban Decay Sparkly Sweet Body Balm 80g -

L'Oreal Mousse Eyeshadows, Glam Shine Lip Glosses and Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipsticks

2008-04-08T10:51:00.000+01:00

New in at Kiss-and-Make-up.co.uk this week.....

L'Oreal Mousse Appeal Eyeshadows 5ml

Gorgeous shimmery light as air mousse eyeshadows in an acrylic pot. Apply with your fingertip or with a brush for better definition and precision

Available in Praline, Cappuccino, Melon, Candy Blue and Violet

L'Oreal Glam Shine Lip Glosses

Beautiul and reflective shine lip plumping effect lip glosses in a gorgeous shades Nude Juice, Fashion Juice, Natural Shimmer, Gold Rose, Amethyst Moon and Sorbet Lychee

Maybelline Moisure Extreme Lipsticks

Gorgeous lipsticks that moisturises using jojoba and shea butter and protects with SPF 15. Also designed to be non-feathering so it will stay on your lips and not migrate! Available in Burgundy, Crazy Plum, Flamingo, Fruit Punch, Glamorous Pink, Rosewood, Silver Rose and Violet Silk

and more stock coming very soon...

Hard Candy and Urban Decay

2008-03-29T10:58:00.000Z

..... at Kiss-and-Make-up.co.uk .....

Hard Candy Super Good Shine Lipstick 3g - Sugar

Gorgeous natural shimmery high shine and moisturising brown lipstick which comes in a sturdy silver casing and in its own box too

Hard Candy Super Shine Lip Gloss 6ml - Fantasy

Gorgeous shimmery, sparkling and sheer lilac lip gloss to use on it's own or over your favourite lip stain Looks fastastic and tastes like cookie dough, and is lightweight yet super shiny! Easy to apply with integral brush and comes in its own box as shown

Hard Candy Dinky Lip Gloss Pot - Icky (pictured) or Yummy

Gorgeous shimmery, sparkling and sheer natural lip glosses to use on it's own or over your favourite lip stain Look fastastic, and are lightweight on your lips and beautifully shimmery! Easy to apply with fingertips or brush and both come in screw top box (a dinky 3cm x 3cm x 2cm) as shown

Urban Decay Shot-o-Gloss Lip Gloss 3.8g - Mai Tai

Gorgeous shimmery, sparkling and sheer brown lip gloss Looks and tastes fantastic, all the fun of a Mai Tai but without the hangover! Easy to apply, glides on and comes sealed and in a plastic box as shown

Urban Decay Shot-o-Gloss Lip Gloss 3.8g - Pina Colada

Gorgeous shimmery, sparkling and sheer brown lip gloss Looks and tastes fantastic, all the fun of a Pina Colada but without the hangover! Easy to apply, glides on and comes sealed and in a plastic box as shown

Urban Decay Pleather Pencil Lipstick - Rubber

Gorgeous deep red lipstick with sharpener included in box Gives a rich and creamy high coverage intense colour with a glossy finish in a most convenient and easy and accurate to apply pencil