Many got accustomed to not having to do their makeup on a daily basis which led to some brides opting for a more scaled back and natural look for their big day.
Others may feel that they had enough of the no-makeup look and want to glam it up.
Let’s see what the hottest bridal makeup trends are for 2021,
Ciara x
All about the Skin
With many of us having more time on our hands, skincare became a staple in many of our routines. People have invested more time and money in extensive skincare, now they want to show off the results.
These brides aim to look like themselves so it’s no surprise that they will be planning for a look that accentuates all of their improvements rather than using full coverage makeup.
For those opting for the ‘no-makeup’ makeup, it will mean a simple look with a pop of colour on the cheeks, a bit of highlighter on the high points of the face, more on the eyes or lips. Natural-looking brows, soft pink and peachy lips, and more subtle contouring is what make it the perfect look for any bride.
The Bold Lip
Bold lips will take center stage in many brides' makeup in 2021. The reason behind this trend is quite simply that we want to show off the part of our face that has been covered by masks for the past year.
This look pairs well with more understated makeup and allows brides to stand out without feeling over the top.
Matte reds and beautiful berry shades, bright pink, mulberry, or deep rose are a great choice for 2021 brides. A bold, blurred lip pairs well with beautiful skin and softly defined eye makeup.
Focus on the Eyes
Another result of wearing masks is the focus dedicated to the eyes. Donning a sultry eye look or a dramatic eyeliner will be amongst the dominating trends this year. To complete the look and take it to the next level a pair of long fluttery eyelashes are a must.
Depending on the undertones, a smokey eye can make the eye colour pop. If you are not completely comfortable with the dramatic smokey eye look, you may want to try a smoked-out eyeliner instead which is a subtle way to achieve a similar look.
One thing to remember is to make sure that you try these different looks in advance so you will know what makes you feel most confident and comfortable, after all, every eye will be on you.
Getting married? Contact me about your bridal makeup x
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If I had a pound for every time I got asked that, I’d be as rich as Kylie Jenner!
So what’s the answer? To be honest, there isn’t one right answer. Here’s the thing...
Doing makeup is a bit like painting a picture. There are thousands of ways to paint a picture with many different types of paints! But as long as you’re happy with the end result, it doesn’t matter!
So why do different makeup artists do things differently?
Simply put, it’s time saving. For example, if you are doing everyday makeup with soft colours on the eyes, it’s quickest to do the base first.
However, if you are doing a dramatic eye with bold or dark colours (especially if you are adding glitters or pigments) then I would recommend starting with the eyes. Because these products tend to drop onto the cheeks, and it can get a little messy. If you have already applied your foundation and concealer, you now have to painstakingly remove the unwanted fallout and reapply it. This is a nightmare! And very difficult to get a professional finish after.
Save yourself unnecessary frustration and do the bold eyes first!
Again, the same can be said about eyebrows…
Some people do them first and some people do them second. It's whatever you prefer yourself.
There are no hard and fast rules in makeup. Play around with it and see what works for you! The only thing that matters is whether you like it.
Remember to stay open minded with makeup. Trends change, makeup changes, and so do our faces!
If you see a fancy new technique, give it a try… you might just feel fabulous!
Hygiene is more important than ever. Here are some of my top tips for how to keep your makeup brushes and tools clean...
If you are a working makeup artist like myself you need to be incredibly clean. Over the years, I have seen some ‘professional makeup artists’ who have ZERO hygiene standards. Their habits would make your eyes water…..LITERALLY!
If you are MUA, make sure you have plenty of brushes to start with. Also a good on-the-spot brush cleaner that can be used between clients (For example, My Purifying Brush Cleaner). It’s a must when you’re out doing weddings or photo shoots - it will literally sterilise your brushes for you.
This product is also perfect for sanitising palettes, powders and much more.
At the end of every day my brushes are washed with my brush egg, fairy liquid, and lukewarm water. Lots of people recommend baby shampoo but I find that it doesn’t quite cut it! Washing up liquid is designed to cut through grease...it’s much more effective.
Top tip - always hold the bristles pointing down. This stops water getting into the handle or ferrule where the brushes are glued. (This is the main reason hairs will start to come out.)
Always reshape your bristles whilst damp and leave to dry. I usually just lay them flat on a window sill, or on a towel on the radiator.
If you are just using your brushes on yourself, I recommend washing them about once a week.But, if you love wearing different colours everyday, then the purifying brush cleaner will be your best friend.
There is nothing more frustrating than almost finishing your eye makeup, only to mistakenly pickup a brush with a different colour and ruin your whole look! Been there, done that and bought the brush cleaner!
If you suffer from bad acne breakouts, please be extra clean with your brushes and sponges. If you don’t, the bacteria can multiply and make it worse...
Sponges... please wash every single day! Warm water and a bar of soap or washing up liquid!Sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria!
When it comes to keeping products clean...make sure you check the use by date. Some can last ages (like powder based products) but some of the creamier ones definitely go off. For your powder based products, just give them a little spritz with sanitizer and keep them germ free. If anything looks or smells funny, chuck it straight in the bin!
Pencil wise (eye pencils, lip liners and brow pencils), just give them a sharpen and shave off any unwanted nasties.
I always always have a pack of baby wipes handy to quickly clean up anything. A pack of them and my purifying brush cleaner and I’m good to go!
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If (like myself) you’re not as fresh-faced as you once were, maybe it’s time to change things up.
Unlike teenagers today, we didn’t grow up with YouTube tutorials or Google. We had to buy magazines (remember them?) or go to the beauty counters in Debenhams, Boots or House of Fraser.
Back then it was quite intimidating asking glamorous older women what they recommended. So we all just did the same as our friends...applying bronzing balls, coffee shimmer lipstick and off we went!
Fast forward 20/30 years and we still don’t really know what suits us. We are well and truly in our comfort zones!
Our skin has changed, trends have changed, products have changed... but our knowledge hasn’t!
Fear not...I’m here to help.
First things first, let's talk about our canvas...
This is our foundation (pun intended). Good skin = good makeup. It’s best that the skin is well looked after. Cleanse, tone and moisturise everyday. Exfoliate once or twice a week. Visit a good beautician regularly and drink plenty of water! This will drastically improve your skin.
Yes and No.
YES - If you want to create the perfect surface to apply your makeup and want it to last as long as possible. For example, some skin brightening primers are great as we get older to recreate a youthful glow.
NO - If you are only wanting to wear makeup for a couple of hours and your skin is looking and feeling great. If you are using the right skincare products and the perfect foundation, then it’s not necessary.
Every makeup artist will have different opinions but ultimately, it’s up to you!
Foundation do’s and don'ts.
As we get older our skin loses its elasticity and plumpness. Which means it can be a little drier. So the same goes for primer.
DO : Go for a foundation that is light on the skin. This means we avoid cakey or dry skin. When using a lightweight foundation, use a concealer to cover any unwanted blemishes or age spots.
DON’T : Use powdered or heavy coverage foundation. Yes, they will COVER redness and blemishes. But they won’t give you a nice finish. It will feel heavy and cakey, doing nothing for our fine lines and wrinkles.
DO : I absolutely love using cream blusher on more mature skin. Again it gives more of a healthy glow than a drying powder finish. Top tip for this is to look at some of your lipsticks as a cream blush, choose an appropriate colour and dab on with a dampened brush.
DON’T : Avoid using a powder with lots of shimmer and/or highly pigmented ones. Long gone are the days of Aunt Sally cheeks.
DO : Fill your eyebrows in, but make sure it is a flattering shape. With an appropriate colour and product. This depends on the colouring and thickness of your natural brows. Some pencils are great as are some powder products.
DON’T : Draw a thin black/ dark line where you think your eyebrows should be. This is extremely harsh and unflattering.
DO : Invest in some good quality eyeshadow brushes (E.g my Phoenix Pro Collection). We want a variety of blending brushes to keep the eyes soft. Depending on your needs we can still go full smoky but it must be well blended. Opting for neutral tones is flattering at any age.
DON’T : Use a sponge tip applicator (put these in the bin!). Also, avoid a lot of shimmer or glitter around the eyes. This will only draw attention to our fine lines.
DO : Use a lip liner. Make sure it's sharp and has a similar tone to lipstick. Always use a sharp lip brush as well. We lose our natural lip line so we need to paint one on! Try out different lipsticks and glosses.
DON’T : Smudge it straight on from the lipstick. It’s hard to get sharp polished lips this way. Also avoid matte lip paints as they can feel very dry on the lips.
Of course, we are all different! We are different ages, complexions, skin textures and have different styles and personalities.
The best recommendation I can give you is to book a one-to-one lesson with myself at the studio. Bring your makeup with you and we can spend some time going through what you already have and I can recommend a few other bits to buy.
I’ll walk you through how to create a professional look at home so you can do it yourself!
I promise you’ll feel fab
Ciara x
]]>The shops have been stocked for weeks with eggs and choccy treats that are super tempting if you’ve got a sweet tooth like me.
And of course, young kids would be disappointed if the weekend didn’t feature some Easter eggs!
But that’s not all this Easter is about, especially given the year we’ve been through.
It’s a great chance to treat family and friends to an Easter gift that will put a smile on their face and let them know you care.
I for one am going to use the Bank Holiday weekend to really connect with loved ones, be that over video call or simply a phone call.
I am also going to have some me-time.
It’s never been more important to focus on your wellbeing. This has been a year like no other and the Easter weekend could give you the time to step back and be kind to yourself.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care. Reading your favourite book, listening to a podcast, or doing something creative, like painting or cooking, are great ways to boost your wellbeing and reenergise.
Stepping away from the everyday and trying something different is a great way to practice self-care. I find putting make-up on can also be a bit of a meditative process where you allow your creative side to take over and you can simply play and have fun creating new looks.
My online makeup courses are a great introduction to makeup application that could make a great treat for yourself or a loved one this Easter.
These courses could be the opportunity your friends and family (or even you!) need to indulge and focus on themselves.
Choose from the Online Everyday Makeup Lesson or the Over 40's Online Makeup Lesson - with 20% OFF this week and give an Easter gift that will last much longer than a chocolate egg!!
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But for some it has been especially tough with the challenges of home working and schooling added to an already packed list of responsibilities.
It’s been a year like no other, and you’d be forgiven for forgetting about yourself in it all.
But why not take the time to recentre, reconnect and focus on yourself with some makeup tips that will make you feel like the glam woman you are.
As we age, there are a few more things we need to consider when it comes to applying make-up.
I’ve put together some do’s and don’ts for women over 40 and hope it will inspire you to celebrate your beauty and put your best face forward.
Base
Preparation is everything. Make sure to cleanse with a vitamin filled cleanser that will feed the skin as well as remove all impurities. Tone, and layer up with moisturiser that will replenish the skin.
So many of us forget the primer step. This is the only way to create a smooth base for your makeup and is vital for slightly older skin. Don’t miss this out if you want to make sure your foundation is flawless.
Build up your coverage, but avoid full coverage that might sit a bit heavy on the skin and make you look a bit cakey rather than youthful and dewy.
Concealer will help you minimise any discolouration and brighten up your skin giving you confidence that any blemishes are covered.
A glowy, dewy, youthful look is topped off with a translucent powder that will set your foundation and give you the perfect base to work from.
Brows
If in your youth you were a bit heavy handed with the tweezers, then make sure to go gentle and sculpt and build a more substantial brow.
Work with what you’ve got and build with a powder to create the perfect brow and frame your face.
Keep them in place with an eyebrow gel that will set them off to perfection.
Don’t forget your eyebrows should be sisters…not twins!!
Eyes
So often we neglect our eyes when it comes to putting together a look.
A nude palette will be your best friend as you blend and tickle your skin, building with eyeshadow to create a lovely day look that can be built into a night-time look.
Use powder to line the eyes as it is so much softer a look than a liquid liner that can bleed on older skin.
More is more when it comes to mascara and make sure to spend time perfecting the look to really make the eyes pop.
Cheeks, contour and highlight
Don’t put a lot of product onto your blusher brush. Build it up slowly and you can control the look.
Contouring should always be matte with colour tones that will sculpt your face and give you more definition. Don’t go mad with product. You are aiming for a slight shadow rather than harsh lines that will only age your face.
When it comes to highlighter, make sure that you aren’t highlighting the negatives. So if you have lots of crows feet then don’t even think about putting highlighter anywhere near those areas. Accentuate the positive and play with highlighter to draw attention to your best features.
Lips
Sadly, as we get older we lose our natural lip line. Makeup comes to the rescue and you can use neutral lip lines to recreate what you’ve lost. Once you’ve lined, paint your lips on with the shape you want. Working in the lipstick with a brush will make it last longer and top it off with some lipgloss!
Practice makes perfect. Today might be the day you try a new look, the key to creating a look that makes the most of you and all your beautiful imperfections is practice, with this in mind I have created an online over 40’s makeup lesson. Gain unlimited access to 5 lessons to take you from Base to lips and you can go back and practice anytime for just £19.95!
Get the NEW Over 40's Online Makeup Course>> BUY NOW
Ciara’s favourite products for the over 40s look:
All brushes are in the NEW Ciara Daly Vitals
Prep the skin using Tropic Cleanser
Delilah Sunset Bronzer - light/medium
Why not try out our brush cleaner, noir flat lay bag, egg cleaner and Ciara Daly Vitals brush set.
I hope you’ll love the products and tips,
Ciara x
]]>Busy mums don't get much time to think about themselves or their makeup, so I wanted to share my five minute makeup in 'seven steps' to have you ready to take on the day.
My kids are 11 and 13, so gone are the days of making and supervising breakfast, washing and dressing both of them, doing their hair and shouting 10 thousand times to“brush your teeth!!”, but I do remember those days where I barely got time to shovel down a piece of cold toast let alone do a ‘full glam’ for the school run!
Now days, it’s more a fight over the bathroom and looking for books and PE kits, but I do make time to do a couple of things which only take me 5 mins and helps with my self-confidence, motivation and just a feeling that I’m ‘ready’ for whatever the day throws at me.
So here is my 5 minute guide for busy mums….
1. I religiously cleanse my skin in the morning when I wake up, apply a serum — current fave is Topic smoothing cleanser and a good moisturiser with SPF for example tropic skin feast. I do this without thinking, it takes no extra time and it just primes my skin.
2. Once the kids are sorted with breakfast, I grab 5 mins to put on my Delilah time frame foundation with my trusty Hero brush. This foundation is seriously amazing stuff — It’s beautiful light coverage is perfect for adding luminosity to the skin without looking like you’re wearing heavy foundation.
3. A quick dab of under eye brightening corrector Delilah take cover concealer is amazing for puffy dark under eyes and a must for a tired mum in a hurry.
4. Then I do my brows; I never leave the house without doing them! I usually use LA Girl Brow Pomade with the Diva Brow collection to draw in any hair strokes needed to give the natural shape I like. Next, I use Delilah brow gel to brush up the hairs and keep them in place all day – these products are amazing and so cost effect from just £6!
5. Next is a sweep of bronzer, from B Perfect MLD Master Pallet. Nobody’s got time for any contouring at that time of the morning, the kids are winding each other up now in the kitchen and I probably have another 15 seconds before I need to go and break up a barney.
6. A quick coat of L'Oreal Paris Lash Architect Mascara on my lashes makes me look more awake, and I’m ready to herd them up to apologise for whatever carnage they have caused and brush their teeth.
7. A neutral lipstick can double up as a crème blush and lip colour for example Delilah in shade flirt, is my go-to each morning!
This is my 5 minutes ‘Mum’ routine — What’s yours?
Ciara x
]]>I’m often struck by the spontaneous and surprising ways I get inspired for looks, products and shoots that I’m working on.
I seek out beauty in all its forms.
But I’m also inspired by the women around me.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible women who are changing the game. Not just in the beauty industry, but also in our personal lives.
I’m blessed to be surrounded by brilliant women. In my life and in my career, I’ve seen the amazing impact women can have.
Firstly, I must give praise to my amazing mum. She was a stewardess in the 1980’s, which was a very glamorous job. She always made a huge effort, and as I watched her apply her make up, and put on her uniform you could see her own confidence grow. Watching her transformation each day, inspired me as a woman and to help others find that confidence.
I’ve also been inspired by two leading lights in the beauty industry. These two women have paved the way for make-up artists like myself.
Pat McGrath has been proclaimed “the most influential makeup artist in the world” by none other than American Vogue’s illustrious editor Anna Wintour.
Pat is one of the most sought-after makeup artist in the world and she has spent two decades concepting, launching and developing luxury cosmetic brands, countless runway shows, breakthrough advertising campaigns and editorial spreads.
Think of any trend of the past two decades and it is pretty much guaranteed Pat is behind it.
Raised by her single mother in Northampton, Pat’s first forays into makeup were inspired by Jean who was a dressmaker who introduced her to the world of hair, makeup, and fashion.
“She trained me, basically, to do the shows, right there... look at the pattern, check the fabrics, look for the makeup and begin,” she told journalist Sarah Mower of British Vogue in 2007. Time magazine also reported that McGrath’s mother would mix the pigments for her own makeup, as there were few options for dark skin at the time.
Alongside Pat, I absolutely love Australian makeup artists Rae Morris’ work. She is an absolute whirlwind who has written three makeup books, was spokesperson for L’Oreal for ten years and launched a range of sell-out makeup brushes.
Rae's work has graced the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, illuminating the faces of Naomi Campbell and Cate Blanchett and she’s created an innovative line of make-up brush sets.
These women are constantly reinventing and reimagining makeup and inspiring me and so many others.
Incredible, inspiring women – don’t you love it!
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I thought about all the looks I’ve created for my clients and how I could
help them recreate these looks for themselves. And that’s why I decided
to develop my first eyeshadow palette.
Because a great palette offers you the chance to create a variety of
looks all from one compact of colours.
Focusing on shades, colours and finished that you would actually use,
we’ve put together 18 shades that can take you from barely there to full
on sultry glamour.
At the back of my mind with this palette was also the thought – if I got
stuck without all my makeup what would be the one thing I would grab in
order to create a look to face the world with?
And for me a look starts with the eyes.
So, whether you are going for a neutral, everyday look or want to rock
the perfect smoky eye – then this palette is for you. Choose from earthy
brown tones to shimmering rose golds that will take you from day to
night.
Whatever your eye colour, you will see that the choice of shades has
been deliberately selected to look incredible on anyone!
But that’s not all. The Bare Palette’s potential doesn’t just end with the eyes. You can use the darker shades as a liner, the lighter colours instead of a highlighter –
accentuating your brow and cheekbones.
If you are open and ready to play around with this palette the look
possibilities are pretty much endless.
I’ve made this palette with versatility in mind.
I’ve made this palette with you in mind.
Dare to bare.
Ciara x
Want all eyes on you? Why not grab the Bare Palette and Phoenix Pro Collection professional eye brush set for just £60!
]]>Turning your passion into your profession is the ultimate goal - The makeup industry gives you the opportunity to not only be creative, but also carve out a dream job!
All of us want to love what we do and for the majority of us work can sometimes be a means to an end rather than a reason to jump out of bed, excited to get to work.
But imagine if you could wake up every-day knowing that the job you have is ev
And while some might say, ‘it’s work, notfun’, why does that have to be the case?
Especially if you have a talent that can be turned into a business.
The makeup industry gives you the opportunity to not only be creative, but also carve out a dream job that suits your individual circumstances and can drive a significant income.
If you’ve got a passion for makeup and aflair for the creative, then it might be time to turn your hobby into habit.
First things first, do you find yourself scouring social media and fashion magazines to keep on trend and try out the latest looks on yourself and others?
Do you love making people feel like their best selves?
Do you spend hours playing on yourself to create the perfect lip, smokey eye or flawless base?
Then here’s why you should take the leap and become a professional makeup artist.
- People
The job of a makeup artist is to make their clients look their very best. It is also a great way to meet new people and interact with creatives from all sorts of industries. From working with individual clients to meeting with photographers and models, every day will bring diverse people and experiences into your world. This is the perfect job if you love meeting new people and getting to know new people, see new places and help make people feel utterly wonderful.
- Creativity
The possibilities are endless when it comes to makeup artistry. Following your passion could lead you down so many directions, from bridal to special occasions, editorial and fashion makeup or special effects and television. Imagine waking up every day and facing a new challenge and opportunity to showcase your creativity?
- Development
There is no such thing as routine in a makeup artist’s life. Every season offers new trends and new opportunities to expand your skillset. You will never be bored and can continually develop your skills.There are so many master classes and people and places where you can experiment and expand your horizons.
- Freedom
As a freelancer you have the freedom to schedule your own day and set your own hours and where you work. From holidays to weekends, you get to choose when you work and plan your work around your life. There will of course be busy times where you may work long hours, but the choice is always yours.
- Money
Network, publicise and demonstrate your experience and you can command a price that reflects the value of your work.There is always a demand for excellent, high-quality makeup whether for weddings and special occasions. Turning your passion into a business can be pretty lucrative if you market yourself well and get your name out there.
- Influence
What if you could change the lives of the people around you? All of us today are affected by the power of social media.Some of this can be pretty negative, but as a successful makeup artist, you have the power to change that.
As an influencer you don’t just get to post and make money, although that is of course one of the main benefits. Using your skills and experience, you could be a positive influence on young people and individuals lacking in confidence. Imagine the impact you could have by showing people how to celebrate their own individual beauty and giving them the tools to become more confident in their skin.
Being a makeup artist is definitely not your usual 9 to 5, you will never be bored and the only limit to where the job takes you is your imagination.
From working with brides on their big day to adding the final touches to a special occasion look in a salon, makeup artists are in demand. Whether you choose to work freelance or in-house, the opportunities to showcase your skills are pretty much endless.
Choose to create characters in TV and broadcast, tell a brand’s story through media and advertising or go full editorial and showcase the avant garde with fashion and editorial spreads.
There really will be no stopping you and as you get under the skin of the industry and hone your skills and showcase your experience, it won’t be long before you are in demand with makeup brands looking to you to create their next season look.
If that doesn’t float your boat then you could influence others by teaching and educating them on how and why to use makeup.
And of course, when all is said and done, and you’ve honed your craft, worked in every area of this amazing industry, you might think about creating your own brand. How incredible would it be to take all you’ve learnt and love and pour that passion into creating a range of makeup that reflects your style and gives individuals a way to express themselves and celebrate their beauty.
It is said that if you do what you love for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life. When it comes to makeup artistry that is definitely the case.
Call Ciara and her team for more information on 028 9066 7171 or email info@ciaradalymakeup.com
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If you've not seen your entire face of foundation imprinted on your face mask already, then you may have surrendered to a case of cheek-to-chin dryness.
Either way, we've got some solutions for you. As face masks, skincare and makeup all need to coexist, so here is Ciara’s top tips on how to wear makeup with a mask.
Keep it clean
Before you ask if you actually need to make any changes to your skincare routine in particular, yes you do, and here's why. Ciara says, "The moist environment provided by breathing into a tightly sealed mask is perfect for bacteria to thrive. This along with a build-up of sweat that clogs your pores can lead to worsening of skin conditions and acne in the distribution of your face mask."
While it's important to switch up your skincare, making sure that your mask hygiene is on point is just as important. "Definitely don’t ditch the mask, as by wearing one, you’re actively helping to protect our most vulnerable and limit the spread of COVID-19.
For fabric masks, make sure you wash it daily at 40º to 60ºC. Single-use masks should be single-use; it may be better to buy a few cotton masks so that you always have a clean one to hand."
Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse
Nothing says I love you to your skin like cleaning your face at the end of the day, and it feels so good to do it! The right cleanser can be a game changer for your routine, and cleansing is so crucial right now:
"Always cleanse twice a day using lukewarm water to get rid of grime and dead skin cells. If your skin has become very sensitive, use a gentle cleanser that’s non-foaming and preferably fragrance-free, as that can aggravate already irritated skin. You will benefit from a double cleanse in the evening if you’ve been wearing makeup."
I recommend a nourishing makeup remover and cleanser that gently washes the day away, with a perfect scent to ease your mind.
Gently remove your makeup with warm water and a reusable Face Off Mitt, before applying Tropic CLEAR SKIES cleansing powder or SMOOTHING CLEANSER complexion purifier
Ease Up on Exfoliation and Actives
If exfoliation is a major part of your routine, fear not—you can still get in on the action, but you might need a few subtle tweaks. "Your skin barrier is already under pressure, so further exfoliation can cause increased distress. Light exfoliation can be achieved by swapping AHA cleansers for enzyme cleansers. Avoid scrubs to prevent further annoyance and sensitivity."
The good news? You can still plan ahead, as "when you're considering longer-term products to introduce into your skincare routine once your skin has settled, an antioxidant like vitamin C would be good. It will protect against extrinsic factors like air pollution and UV rays that damage our skin.
Prioritise Hydration
Whether you're wearing makeup or not, moisture is so important for combatting mask-induced dryness. "Keeping the skin moisturised is key for well-being and to encourage skin repair. Barrier-supporting ingredients such as panthenol, ceramides, gluconolactone, niacinamide and glycerin will boost hydration and encourage healing of the skin"
Everyone's skin will react differently to wearing a mask, so check it on a daily basis to see what your skin needs.
SKIN FEAST £24 nourishing cream concentrate is the perfect go to daily moisturiser.
Switch Your Foundation
To wear foundation or not to wear foundation? That is the question.
"As your mask will cover the majority of your face, you could skip foundation altogether and give your skin a well-earned break, but if you still want a little coverage, use something sheer all over, then a touch of a full-coverage concealer in places you will see, like under your eyes and on any blemishes, you may have on your forehead or temple"
Luckily, there are so many formulas on the market focusing on longevity that you'll be able to find something that won't end up all over your mask.
Delilah Alibi Fluid Foundation (£32) is utterly light, water-proof, sweat-proof and life-proof! This amazing formulation redefines performance and coverage, and immediate coverage of blemishes.
It's all in the Eyes
Missing your favourite highlighter and blusher? Shift all of that energy to your eyes.
Your eyes are the main focus when you're in a mask, and the eye smile is your alternative to the real thing at this time, so let’s make them shine!
"It’s best to ditch full-coverage makeup looks and focus on being kind to your skin and having more fun with eye makeup instead, so now you can experiment with colour or texture.
There are no rules whatsoever, so if you feel inclined to wear glitter or a neon liner, go for it. If bold colour is too far out of your comfort zone, try perfecting a classic bronze eye, which can be dialled up or down to suit you." If you don’t have an eye shadow this colour why not try using a matte bronzer instead!
Have a look at what palettes and eyeshadows you already have. Try using some of the colours that you haven’t got round to trying!
When applying mascara spend time getting the brush to the base of the lashes and wiggling through to the ends. Repeat this over and over until lashes are fully coated.
For a fun and create look try the NEW Ciara Daly x Chloe Morton Inspire Palette (£30) or a must have makeup staple of 2021 Ciara Daly BARE Palette (£40).
Brows on Fleek
Over the year’s brows have become incredibly important in our daily makeup routine. Some of us have it sussed, some of us still struggle to get the whole thing right. We've seen our fair share of brow trends over the past few years, and it seems like it was all preparing us for this moment.
It’s all about getting the right dimensions and getting the brows in the right proportion to your face.
Lots of people can get it wrong by merely just filling in a shape that they already have, when a lot of the time the shape is bad and needs rectified with the help of products and tools.
There are many eyebrow products out there from pencils, pomades to even just using a matte eye shadow with your brush.
"I always like to keep brows looking fluffy and natural by using a tinted brow gel or soap on the brows, then fill in any sparse areas with brow-like strokes, using a basic eye shadow or pomade"
Define and sculpt perfect brows with LA Girl Brow Pomade (£6) The creamy pomade slides on effortlessly and locks into place.
The Diva Collection (£16) is perfect to shape and sculpt the perfect eye brow.
Keep It Fresh
You've probably experienced just how hot it can get under your mask, don't sweat it (literally), "To refresh your makeup throughout the day, take a small bottle of toner or setting spray out with you.
Start by removing any excess oil on the skin with a blotting paper. Then, take a clean finger and lightly blend any makeup that may have creased under your eyes or around your hairline. Spritz your face. This will cool you down and relax you. You could reapply a little concealer if you feel you need to, but I would avoid adding a powder to keep your skin feeling as fresh as possible.
Tropic VITAMIN TONER pore-refining mist (£14) is a handy quick-fix hydrator.
Ready to practice? My online everyday makeup lesson is the perfect tool, with unlimited lifetime access and is currently FREE with our Love Yourself in Lock Down Bundles.
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The question I am asked most is Ciara, what’s in your makeup bag? Well, you won’t see me posing in a full face every day of the week, but there are key products in my makeup bag I use each day and would never leave the house without! So here they are…
]]>The question I am asked most is Ciara, what’s in your makeup bag? Well, you won’t see me posing in a full face every day of the week, but there are key products in my makeup bag I use each day and would never leave the house without!
So here they are…
1. FACE
A good foundation is literally the foundation to your makeup look, and of course covers all sins, be that the wine from the night before, or the harsh effects of the cold winter on our skin as we get our daily exercise.
My go to product has to be Delilah Time Frame Foundation (£34) it’s light, buildable coverage has a subtle radiance and a silky texture perfect for everyday wear.
2. COVER
One of the tell-tale signs of getting older or indeed just stress or lack of sleep and fluid intake is under your eyes. This is why I would never be without my Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer (£8.99), the instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer has coloured pigments that perfect the under-eye area, covering flawlessly; say goodbye to dark circles and fine lines!
3. CHEEKS
Nothing says, I am alive and ready to take on the world like a little colour in our cheeks! I head straight for my lipstick Delilah Intense Cream Lipstick in flirt (£24), and blend it into my cheek bones for the same effect you would get with a cream or mousse blusher.
4. LIPS
I am never without a tube of Elizabeth Arden, Eight Hour Cream (£28, currently just £17.45) and this legendary skincare classic works wonders to moisturise and protect your lips anytime.
I love that this product can also be used to shape my eyebrows brows, revitalise shine, soothe dry hands and smooth cuticles and nails; it’s a winner every time.
5. EYES
None of us have time to do a full smoky eye every morning, but there are no excuses for taking the time to bring your eyes to life with the right mascara!
Mine comes in a shine silver tube, in the form of L’Oreal Lash Architect (£10.99) their first false lash effect mascara, the powerful sculpting fibres ensure lashes look volumized, lengthened, texturised and curved.
So, these are my go to products to keep us all looking beautiful in 2021, which product or product would you not leave the house without?
Ciara x
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