Weekly Worship: Barry M, BUXOM and Maybelline

I'm a sucker for an eye shadow palette and Barry M's latest is no exception. It is called the Treasure Chest and it's so good, you won't believe it cost just £12.99 (feelunique.com). Treasure chest is made up of 18 matte and metallic shades, ranging from a rich burgundy and metallic silver, to a shimmer peach and pastel lilac. The pigments are strong and impactful and the velvety texture of the shadows make application and blending an absolute dream. The shadows also have impressive lasting power - both in the palette and on the eyes!

The Beauty Myth: Red Lipstick Is Not For Everyone

Verdict: False

This myth makes me seriously pissed. I don't know why it continues to circulate the beauty world because it is serious bullshit. No matter your eye colour, hair colour or skin colour, you can wear red lipstick and look fabulous doing so.

It is true that certain lipstick shades look better on certain skin tones, however as there are a billion different lipsticks out there, there is something for everyone!

If you want to find the best red lipstick shade for you, you will need to understand your skin's undertone. The best way to do this is by looking at the inside of your wrist in natural light. If your veins are green you have a warm undertone and if they are blue you have a cool undertone. If your veins are a mixture of the two colours, you have a neutral undertone and can get away with all shades!

If you have a cool undertone, you will suit blue-based reds like Rimmel's Lasting Finish Kate Moss 01, Chanel's Dragon Rouge Allure Laque and Maybelline's ColorSensational Lipcolor in Red Revival. If you have warm undertones, you need orange-based reds, such as Chanel's Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick, MAC's Lady Danger and NYX's Eros.

Ask TBI: Mother's Day Gift For The Mother-In-Law

Question: My husband and I got married a couple of months ago, so this year will be the first Mother's Day I share with my mother-in-law. My husband's mum has really supported us throughout the last few years, so I want to get her something special. She is obsessed with all things beauty but, as there are so many products out there, I am unsure what to buy her! What would you recommend? - Christina, Surrey.

Answer: Congratulations on getting married! Now, when it comes to gifts, there are a variety of different products you can get your mother-in-law. I am unsure of the budget you are working with, however I will give you a variety of different options which I hope will help!

Now, if you don't mind splashing out, I would recommend a luxury diffuser or candle. The Fornasetti ‘Flora di Fornasetti’ (£99.00 Selfridges / $135.00 Barneys) is a personal favourite. It smells amazing - it is made up of floral, green and woody notes - and the candle case features one of Piero Fornasetti's iconic designs, so it looks absolutely gorgeous in the home!

Staying on the expensive side, I would also recommend getting her a fragrance because, well, what woman doesn't want to smell wonderful? Elizabeth Arden has just released a new dimension of its UNTOLD fragrance that you can't go wrong with. The new fragrance, UNTOLD Eau Légère 100ml (£63.00 Debenhams), combines ingredients such as sparkling green apple, pink pepper, blackcurrant, grapefruit and purple freesia, to create a feminine and sensual scent.

If she is skincare obsessed, I would recommend a travel kit or starter kit - that way your mother-in-law can have a variety of new and interesting products to try, as well as some mini must-haves to take on holiday - perfect for the upcoming summer months. Dermalogica has an AGE Smart® Skin Kit (£42.50 dermalogica.co.uk / $52.00 ULTA), which is made up of six products from the hero anti-ageing range.

Another skincare option is the Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules Limited Edition Collection ( £79.50 feelunique.com / $154.00 timetospa.com). To celebrate the capsules 10th birthday, the brand has launched a limited edition duo set, containing two super-sized jars of the day capsules and night capsules. The set only cost £79.50 (saving you £45.00) and £15,000 worth of sales from this gorgeous set will be donated to the Wellbeing of Women charity - it really is a gift that keeps on giving!

Failing all of the above, you could gift her something bespoke by putting together a custom filled hamper containing a variety of affordable beauty bits. You could fill it with things like OLAY Skincare, e.l.f makeup palettes, Maybelline nail polishes, L'Oreal haircare and some adorable pampering products from Lush.

Lush The Mum Bubble Bar (£5.25), Olay Beauty Fluid (£4.99 / $6.94) and e.l.f California Baked Eyeshadow Palette (£10.00 / $10.00)

Whatever you do, try not to stress over what to buy as I am sure your mother-in-law will love and appreciate whatever you give her - after all, it's the thought that counts!

Interview: Debbie Thomas

Debbie Thomas is a highly respected skin specialist, whose talent and unique approach has taken her from Harley Street to Hollywood. She is a true skin saviour to some of Hollywood's elite and has worked with some of the world's most renowned skincare brands.

When it comes to skin, there isn't much Debbie doesn't know. So you can imagine how excited I was when I was given the opportunity to interview her...

What inspired you to work in the beauty industry? And how did your career journey begin?

I started with a keen interest in holistic treatments. I loved how manipulating muscles or nerve endings could trigger positive reactions in the body, making people feel better physically and emotionally. After completing my beauty, massage and reflexology courses, I got my first job and quickly gained a strong client base for my facials. 

I then developed adult acne and felt assured that my boss would be able to ‘cure’ me, she could not and neither could my GP. This was when my obsession with finding successful treatments began.

What is your career highlight?

Every time I get a new client through a recommendation I feel very proud. However my real career highlight was the first day I worked for myself in my own company. It was also the single most scary day. I didn't have lots of security if things didn't work out, so I told myself that I had to make it work no matter what.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the beauty industry?

I think it’s about finding a niche or a specific area that you are passionate about and become an expert in it. I still go on as many training courses as I can, as I think you can never know enough. 

 
Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

I think Eve Lom really was one of the first ‘super facialists’ and through her great techniques and products, she has become a global brand.

What are your makeup bag essentials?

La Roche-Posay tinted SPF 50 cream and Maybelline mascara are the basics I couldn't live without.

What is the biggest beauty crime a person can commit?

Not practising safe sun care.

What is your top beauty tip?

Go for a skin consultation with a professional skin specialist at least once a year. Your skin can change with seasons, age, stress and lifestyle, so your home routine needs to change seasonally as well. I also recommend monthly facials to make the most of your skin.

www.debbiethomas.co.uk

Faithful Four: Budget Foundations

Revlon PhotoReady Make-Up

Promise: “Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup - for poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage”

Price: £12.99/$12.99 30ml

Purchase: Superdrug, ULTA

Of all the budget foundations available, the Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup provides the best finish by far. It creates a luminous flawless finish that doesn't look heavy of cakey on the skin. The liquid foundation contains micro shimmer particles that give skin that gorgeous natural-looking glow. The foundation also contains SPF20, is oil-free and is available in 12 shades! The Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup provides medium coverage, is easily buildable and has incredible staying power. As for whether it makes you photo ready... it really does. Skin looks flawless on film, I promise!

Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation

Promise: “A whipped foundation innovation featuring a lightweight, hydrated formula for an on-trend demimatte, flawless finish. The new supersmooth, hydrated formula instantly achieves the perfect balance between controlling shine and enhancing skin’s natural luminosity in one quick, easy application”

Price: £9.99 18ml

Purchase: Boots

The Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation has a smooth mousse texture that applies onto the skin like a dream. The lightweight foundation does an amazing job at hydrating the skin, a quality not usually found in matte foundations. The finish is demi-matte - aka a flawless matte finish with a slightly radiant glow - and the coverage is medium and easily buildable. The Whipped Creme Foundation evens skintone and reduces excess shine. Its non-drying formula also makes it perfect for use on all skin types. If that is not enough it is oil-free, fragrance-free and dermatologically tested. Finally, The Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation has real lasting power - I can get through a whole working day without the need to reapply. The only downside to this foundation is that it is lacking in SPF and is only available in 6 shades.

e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation

Promise: “This liquid foundation applies easily and lasts all day for visibly brighter and radiant looking skin. The lightweight formula blends in naturally for a beautiful semi-matte finish”

Price: £6.75/$6.00 23ml

Purchase: eyeslipsface.co.uk / Target

The e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation is one of the best preforming budget foundations around. It is cheap in the UK and even cheaper in the US of A. It is a liquid foundation that applies like butter and blends into the skin perfectly. It provides medium coverage and a semi-matte finish, leaving skin looking luminous and picture perfect. The foundation, which is equipped with SPF15, is oil-free with a lightweight texture, making it ideal for those with oily and acne prone skin. It also has great staying power, lasting a good 6 hours before the need to reapply. The only downside to the e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation is that it is only available in 6 shades.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation

Promise: “Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is a revolutionary whipped formula, providing an air-soft, perfect matte finish coverage, with a weightless feel”

Price: £7.69 / $8.99 18ml

Purchase: Boots, ULTA

The Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is one of the world's most popular foundations and it is clear why. The foundation applies effortlessly, feels incredibly light on the skin and leaves a velvety smooth matte finish. It is also fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, allergy-tested and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for sensitive skin. The foundation also works well for those with oily and normal skin, however I wouldn't advise using it if you have dry skin as you may find it a little drying. The Matte Mousse provides medium to full coverage and is easily buildable. Finally its matte finish enables you to get away without wearing powder, helping to cut costs and time! The Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is available in 16 shades - an impressive amount for a budget foundation. The only downside to this foundation is that it lacks SPF.