Top five: Products I'm Loving - Summer 2015

After nearly four years of writing this little blog, I have yet to actually write a seasonal favourites post. After mulling over what I have been using both in my kit and on myself over the past couple of months, here we go...

Weleda Insight Day 2015 - Part 2

Last week I shared the first part of my recent visit to the Weleda headquarters in Derbyshire. Without further ado, here is part two...

Weleda Insight Day 2015 - Part 1

For the second year running I boarded the first train from London to Derby in order to attend one of the Weleda Insight Days. You may remember from reading about my visit last year how much I enjoyed the day, so when I was invited to return I jumped at the chance.

Yet again I have had to break this down into two posts; one on the garden tour and a second on the  afternoon talks and the soon to be released products.

Online: Yumi Spring/Summer 2015

Back in December, whilst in the midst of working out what to buy people of christmas, I was worked on an E commerce shoot for fashion line Yumi, shooting the Spring/Summer 2015 collection - here is a little snippet of the make-up...

My Holiday Bag 2

I am on holiday!! I am on the beautiful, beautiful island of Sardinia, so you read this I am (with any luck) taking a relaxing stroll around the streets of the local town, exploring the beautiful Sardinian countryside or devouring exquisite local cuisine (I am a real foodie) in a little family run trattoria... *Sigh*...

As I am away, I thought I would share with you the contents of my make-up bag.

I have a tendency to pack light when I go away. I am not one for loads of make-up on a day to day basis anyhow and holidays are more often than not spent bare-faced and my focus is very much on skincare. That said this particular trip is very much a family one and the OMUA household are joined by my parents (AKA the babysitters) and that may (fingers crossed) mean that myself and Mr OMUA may just get a night out, so I am prepared for just such an eventuality...

Travel and sample sized products are a great way to keep help holiday luggage light and so I have raided my drawer of spare skin/hair/body care items for more portable alternatives to my full sized products - a great way to try out some products I have been holding off on too!!

So here we are...

Skincare

I've opted for a dual purpose cleanser/make-up remover with the Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (and muslin cloth) to save space (leaving my much loved [and slightly less practically shaped bottle] Beyond Organic Radiance Cleanser at home). I love this as it makes my skin feel amazing after use and the small exfoliating particles don't make my skin feel over

My must-have facial oil of the moment is the Beyond Organic Rejuvinating Serum. I am slathering this on night and day and although it doesn't quite match up to the Age Defying Serum (which I am sure you are aware I utterly adore) in terms of it's age-reducing qualities, my skin is super happy with it - despite the fact it is designed for combination skins - mine is pretty dehydrated and sensitive with a tendency towards dryness.

I am topping off the serum with a sample pot of The Body Deli Creme De La Rose Regenerative Moisturiser - a sample I have just opened and am thoroughly enjoying using.

My eyes are being cared for with a tube of Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. A lightweight triple action eye cream to help minimise fine lines and ward off any puffiness or dark shadows whilst I am away.

SPF protection comes in the form of Jason's Facial Sunscreen. Not the cleanest of all natural sunscreens but it is one that doesn't irritate my face as I find many natural and organic facial sun creams too thick and heavy and in turn this brings my face up in heat bumps - you can't win!!

Surprise surprise, I have included a tube of my beloved Hurraw! Lip Balm (I had to get one in somewhere ;). This one is Grapefruit. I plan on liberal lashings on the plane to help combat dehydrated lips.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil (this will obviously be decanted into a smaller, plastic bottle to save space/weight) will be covering my body on a daily basis. I am a complete convert to body oils and the Weleda ones are fabulous! I have just finished working my way through a fifth bottle of citrus and thought I should probably try another one - this I purchased at Weleda HQ last year during my trip to the gardens.

Make-up

I don't plan on wearing make-up everyday but it may be called for on occasion so I have packed a few basics...

My go-to base for easy application and minimal fuss is Madara Moonflower Tinting Fluid. I mix in a little facial sunscreen or apply over the top to protect my face.

Couleur Carmel Concealer will hid any dark shadows or blemishes which may occur during the holiday. Although the colour spectrum isn't that great, this is a lovely concealer that is easy to build up where necessary.

As much as I wanted to take a couple of Kjaer Weis shadow compacts, practical thinking came into play so instead I have packed Lavera Eyeshadow Quad in Purple Fantasy. Lightweight and perfect for mixing and matching to create anything from a smokey eye to a nude wash of colour. I have also packed an Lavera Eyeliner Pencil (although it seems to be camera shy in the image above).

Lashes will be coated with Jane Iredale Lash Extender and Conditioner (a product I can no longer live without) and then covered with a couple of coats of the last of my Neal's Yard Remedies Lengthening Mascara.

Finally, my lips have the treat of my new best friend Rhubarb from Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil. This is such a versatile colour and it looks great for day and evening wear. Either apply directly from the crayon for full impact or dot a little on your finger for a lower-key look.

And thats it.

If you want to keep up with my adventures on this stunning island, I will endeavour to update my (non Organic Make-up Artist) Instagram account, so check it out :)

Main Image: Natasha Mileshina via Flickr

Body Images: Laura Jane Sessions - Organic Make-up Artist

Weleda Skin Food

I feel that I am overloading you with winter skin solutions at the moment but its that time of year and to be honest, hydrating my clients skin pre-make-up (not to mention my own parched face) is at the forefront of my mind.

New Additions: Winter 2014

I have accumulated quite a lot of products over the last couple of months; I haven't been actively looking to but it has just happened. Here's what's new...

New Additions - Autumn 2014

It's been a busy couple of months so I have been doing quite a bit of replenishing of my kit. Some of the bits and pieces I picked up were to restock old favourites, whilst others were complexity new additions. It's been a while since I shared the new additions to my kit, so here we are... (Apologies in advance for the different settings in the photos)

Weleda Insight Day 2014: Part Two

Last week I began sharing my thoughts on my recent visit to the beautiful Weleda gardens in Derbyshire, so here we are... part two.

Weleda Insight Day 2014: Part One

Today I was lucky enough to visit the Weleda Headquarters in Ilkeston, Derbyshire to attend one of their annual Insight Days. An opportunity to understand more about the company and to be shown around their biodynamic gardens, I had been hankering to take a trip ever since last summer when I read about the visit taken by fellow Make-up Artist Lou Dartford.