Lebron James "Heats Up" In 2011 NBA Finals Game One In Video Form

After one game of the 2011 NBA Finals, Lebron James and the Miami Heat hold the 1-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks with a 92-84 victory.

Lebron James dropped 24 in the game and here are three of his memorable highlights.

The first one comes before the end of the third quarter as he hits a buzzer beating three:



This one comes in the middle of the fourth as he explodes past Shawn Marion for the dunk and the foul:



And finally, the exclaimation point as receives an alley-oop pass from Dwayne Wade for the slam:




(Courtesy of NBAVideosNow)

Marco Materazzi Drenches Italian Soccer Presenters

For those of you that remember the name Marco Materazzi, he's better known as the player who was head-butted by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup.

Materazzi is still playing professional soccer in Italy for Inter when their beat Palermo in the Italian League Final.

After the game, Materazzi decided to have a little fun at the expense of two television presenters for Rai 1 by drenching them in water:



(Courtesy of AOL Fanhouse UK)

Dodgers Dad Drops Daughter For Foul Ball

In this week's questionable fathering moments, one dad who attended the Dodgers/Marlins game last night really wanted a foul ball.

He wanted it so much that he tried to use his young daughter to get it and when the ball came his way, he dropped her.

She ended up being okay but I think she has a trump card for later in life:

2011 NBA Finals More About Altering Identity Than Hoisting The Trophy

This year’s NBA Finals may crown the champion for this NBA season, but the teams that will play in it have been ready for this moment way before the start of this year.

In 2006, Dirk Nowitzki and his Mavericks slumped back into the locker room after being shellacked by the Heat in four straight losses, which was proceeded with wins in the first two games of the Finals. With that being the franchise’s only attempt at winning a title in their history, it was chalked up as another tally in the lose column for a team with no championships despite being constant regulars in the playoffs.

Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh were all heralded as dynamic players who were deeply beloved and followed since all three were drafted in the top five of the 2003 NBA Draft. Since they all joined up with the Miami Heat last summer, they have now been identified as the biggest antagonists in all sports because of their selfishness to come together and form an overpowering dynasty intent on taking over the NBA.

Both teams will now come to a head in the NBA season finale, with the winner understanding that it’s not just the Larry O’Brien trophy at stake, but a bigger justice of shedding away the negative connotations attached to themselves and their franchises.

The only two remaining members from the 2006 Mavericks team may be Nowitki and Jason Terry, but the rest of the team is filled with members who have been tagged with the same identity of being a choker throughout their careers.

Point guard Jason Kidd will go down in history as one of the top point guards to have ever played the sport of basketball. Yet, despite the numerous triple-doubles, all-star selections, and gold medals he’s won with the USA Olympic Basketball team; the former University of California, Berkeley star has come up empty in his previous thirteen postseason appearances (including two Finals losses to the Spurs and Lakers as a New Jersey Net).

Being in the playoffs regularly was always a part of Peja Stojakovic’s career. Having played in 76 postseason games for the Kings, Hornets, and Pacers, the 33-year-old sharpshooter was a notable part on a variety of team’s runs through the playoffs. Yet, he’s always come up short of being on a franchise that can truly call themselves champions.

Nowitzki, Kidd and Stojakovic’s inability to claim an NBA title as their own isn’t just reflective of Dallas’ key players, but for everyone who currently wears the teal and grey colors of the Mavericks. Of all the fifteen players on the current roster, no player has ever gone on and been a part of a championship team.

Being successful is an identity many of the guys on the squad have always had, but their constant failing to win a NBA title has always dominated their triumphs.


Supremacy is exactly the reason James, Wade and Bosh decided to join and stick around in Miami. The idea of “taking their talents to South Beach” was an excellent notion in the eyes of the three superstars. The choice to control their future was in their hands after the end of 2010 NBA playoffs, but none of them could have imagined just how hated they would become when it happened.

Prior to this season, the three were the darlings of the league. They were beloved in any city they went to play in and sold out stadiums anytime they were the opposition’s road team. All three were deemed saviors of their franchises and for a league whose key players were entering the twilight of their careers. Never had any of them ever had to endure being hated and mocked at any point in their career.

That is, until after their big declaration in Miami.

As they hosted, boasted, and toasted during their celebration party with the city after they all signed on to be a part of the Heat, the would proclaim loudly that not only would they win a title for their city, but they would do it on numerous occasions.

This became the defiant moment when they turned from the face of the NBA to the heels of the league. Everywhere they went they were booed extensively and fans would cry bloody-murder for their teams to destroy them.

When they finished the month of November with a 10-8 record, they were denigrated and laughed at for their pre-season, boastful antics. After constantly dropping games at the tail end of the fourth quarter from January through March, they were scorned as a franchise with high-end talent who were incapable of finishing off teams. Even coach Erik Spoelstra’s comment of players crying in the locker room was made a mockery of and added gasoline to the fire of labeling the Heat as the league’s top adversaries.

All that bantering and targeting of the big three in Miami as the enemy did was enrage them and allow them to grow stronger together for a greater cause: win the championship to erase those labels.

Winning the title is everything to each player in the NBA. It allows them to reach heights that most would do anything to get to. Only fifteen players a year get to say they are champions and reaching that status can do wonders for their legacy.

The Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks understand that concept very well; as the winner of the 2011 NBA Finals will not only be champions, but finally erase the labels they have come to be identified with.

Liparazzi's Favourites: Jemma Kidd Make Up School

So it's that time again to focus on my favourite products from one brand and this week the spotlight is on Jemma Kidd Make Up School.  I just want to point out that I am not affiliated in any way with the brands that I feature in these posts.  It's just a chance for me to talk about my fave products from their collections.  Here's an insight into the concept behind the brand:

"Jemma Kidd Make Up School takes all of Jemma’s backstage and professional skills translating them into an edited collection of high-performance essentials and make-up must-haves. The line combines professional performance with simplicity, innovation, luxury and step by step teaching. The addition of the new Jemma Kidd PRO capsule collection is the first in science based, technology driven and intelligent backstage essentials ‘developed by artists for artists".

The Skin Rescue Bio-Complex Veil is simply a daily must have for me.  It has already won numerous beauty awards and is a true multi-tasker combining the benefits of a moisturiser, primer, illuminator and sunscreen. "With an anti-ageing complex and active peptides that work to repair age-related skin damage; sodium hyaluronate spheres to moisturise, hydrate, plump and even out fine wrinkles; added anti-oxidants vitamin A, C and E which act as food for the skin to increase elasticity, clarify and brighten,

Formulated with a botanical complex of horse chestnut, algae, butcher broom, calendula and centella extracts which improve the skins micro-circulation, Jemma Kidd Pro Skin Rescue Bio Complex Veil SPF15 P1 uses light reflecting mica pigments to give luminosity and radiance to the skin".

  I apply it every day after my moisturiser and before my foundation because it leaves my skin smooth, silky and radiant.  My foundation always looks gorgeous when I prep my skin with this product first so it has become a staple in my bathroom cupboard.  You only need one pump for your whole face so it has good longevity too.  You can buy the 35ml tube here for £32.00.

I only use the Contour & Flush Creme Blush Duo when I'm on holiday or in the summer because that's when it looks best on my skin, when the sun reflects off your skin and shows off the radiance of these creme products. "Bronze tone adds sun-kissed glow and contours cheekbones while the clear pink adds fresh colour for a pinched-cheek natural flush. Both in a sheer crème blush that glides onto the skin and blends perfectly".  I prefer to use cream formulations in summer because it looks so much fresher on the skin and gives a kind of radiance that is very difficult to achieve with powder alternatives.  I sometimes even use the bronze shade as an eyeshadow primer when I travel to save space.  The formulation is silky and gorgeous and therefore, the blush can also be used as a lip colour too.  You can buy it here for £18.00.

I love the Blushwear Creme Cheek Colour in Paw Paw, a true peach shade that breathes life into your face, is natural-looking and really compliments a golden tan beautifully.  It has an amazing velvety formulation that turns from cream to a silky powder when blended into the cheeks which means no streaks and a super flattering finish. "Formulated with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E this cream to powder formula enhances the complexion and the contours of the face while brightening, conditioning and protecting against free radical damage".  The thing I love the most about this cream blush is that it looks and feels so lightweight on your skin.  You can get it here for £13.00.

Another multi-award winning product from Jemma Kidd is the Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold.  If you are into really subtle highlighter then this product is for you.  Like all the other Jemma Kidd Creme products, it's very lightweight, non-greasy with an ethereal sheeny finish.  The Rose Gold shade looks lovely just on the very tops of the cheekbones, on the browbones, collarbones or on the cupid's bow.  It has light diffusing properties which make the skin look delicately dewy and naturally radiant.  You can layer the product to intensify the effect if you want something more noticeable.  This creme product has moisturising properties too so it's kind to your skin and never looks cakey.  You can buy it here for £17.00.

I was actually REALLY impressed with these Eye Essentials Shimmer Shadows in Peachie and Pearl from Jemma Kidd.  They are really high quality, smooth and buttery and the pigmentation is fantastic.  Not to mention that they make amazing highlighters in their own right!  Apply Peachie over the Paw Paw creme blush and you have some seriously pretty cheeks!  These eyeshadows glide on your lid and have a lovely shimmery effect without any chunky glittery particles landing on your cheeks.  I would go as far as to say the quality is better than my MAC eyeshadows!  The Eye Essentials Shimmer Shadows come in shades that look super natural for daytime and every needs these staple colours in their collection.  I wish they did more colours because I would buy them all up! You can buy them here for £11.00 each. 

You have heard me talk about this product numerous times over the past few months and I ALWAYS get comments asking what the product is when I wear it on my blog pics.  It's the Iridescent Eye Silk Crayon in Tigers Eye, a rich brown with gold reflects.  This is hands down the prettiest brown liner that I own and I use it most days.  It defines my eyes without looking over the top for daytime and the warm brown shade really enhances blue eyes.  The great thing about this chunky liner is that it never drags on the skin so it's really easy to apply and smudge if desired.  It's £15.00 and you can buy it here.

This Jemma Kidd Essentials palette contains pretty much everything you need for a really pretty and natural daytime to night-time look.  I love the Pomegranate creme blush which is the same product as the Creme Cheek Colour in Paw Paw.  The Pomegranate shade makes an amazing lip colour.  I wore it the other night and it looks really pretty!

1) Pomegranate Cheek & Lip Flush

2) Tea Rose Hi-Shine Silk Touch Lipgloss

3) Grey Eye Wardrobe Eyeshadow Quartet (White)

4) Eye Essentials Shimmer Shadow (Mocha)

5) Brown Eye Wardrobe Eyeshadow Quartet (Taupe)

6) Green Eye Wardrobe Eyeshadow Quartet (Cream)

7) Brown Eye Wardrobe Quartet (Dark Brown)

8) Exclusive Wet/Dry Shadow Liner (Charcoal)

You can read my full review of this palette here.  You can buy this palette for £28.00 here.

I have been really impressed by the Jemma Kidd makeup brushes and particularly with these ones: 

I use this soft powder brush every day to apply my Benefit Hello Flawless powder.  It can also be used for bronzer as well.  It never sheds and it washes really well.  I also love the combination of hot pink and black on the handle.  I really do believe in investing in good makeup brushes because they make such a difference to the way your makeup looks.  It's £27.50 and you can buy it here.

I had been searching for ages for the perfect brush for cream blush products and this tapered Jemma Kidd Pro Pointed Cream Blush/Foundation Brush is my favourite so far.  The tapered end enables you to concentrate the colour in one area OR use the bulk of the brush to blend it out.  This brush is also fantastic for contouring for the same reasons.  It's also very soft and has just the right amount of firm-ness for use with cream or powder products.  It's £20.00 and you can buy it here.

This Pro Crease Brush is my PERFECT tool for applying concealer because it's amazing at buffing it into your skin and creating a truly flawless finish.  It's great for under eyes, around the nose and on blemishes and helps the concealer to disappear into the skin.  Together with Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation (used as a concealer), this combination is my secret to completely flawless skin!  I found that the brush shed a little when I first got it but after I washed it and used some hair conditioner, it hasn't shed since.  You can get the brush here for £18.00. 

This Pro Liner Brush makes applying cream eyeliner really easy because it has such a defined tip and fibres that never splay out and create a mess.  You just hold it horizontal to your lashline and it makes things alot easier! Because the tip is so fine, you can create a really thin line or build up a more dramatic look.  You can buy this brush for £12.00 here.

I love the Ultimate Lipstick Duos in Wendy (bottom) and Grace (top) because not only do you get a lipstick but you also get a lip primer which moisturises and keep your lips in great condition.  The lip colour also feels really moisturising on the lips and gives a lovely sheer colour.  Such a handy product to have in your handbag and Wendy is such a gorgeous peachy colour for summer.  You can buy them here for £13.00 each.

These Hi-Shine Hydrating Glossticks in Bridgetown (beige nude), Sugar Cane (peachy pink) and Hibiscus (coral pinky-red) are the perfect lip products for summer days when you want a lip colour that will moisturise and protect your lips while making them look juicy and gorgeous. 

"Features Include:

•Shiny polymers and lanolin create a colour wash with a high shine finish

•Light reflective particles add fullness to the lips

•Lip plumping "active" ingredients gently smooth and add volume to the lips

•Melissa Oficianalis extract helps soothe and nurture the lip area

•Chisel bullet for precise, professional application

•SPF 15 for added protection from the elements"

Hibiscus is SUCH an incredible colour, I can't even put it into words.  The only word I can think of to sum up the beautiful coral shade is luminous because it makes my skin look more radiant, it brings out my blue eyes and it instantly makes me feel summery.  I could rave about this colour all day long!  The lipsticks come in the usual gorgeous Jemma Kidd floral black packaging, with a chiselled bullet and an addictive 'click' mechanism when you pop it back in it's casing.  It would actually be the perfect accompaniment to OPI's Cajun Shrimp Nail Polish because that's the only colour I have seen that is similar.  If you like corals then I would HIGHLY recommend the Hibiscus shade...Tali you have to check this out! You can get it here for £13.00.

So that wraps up my fave products from Jemma Kidd.  Although another product which I forgot to take pics of is the Hi-Shine Silk Touch Lipgloss in Petal (a delicate peachy pink).  You can read my review here.

Myself, Chris and a few friends booked a group holiday yesterday to Zakynthos in Greece and I cannot wait to go!  We fly out on 14th August and are staying in apartments in Argassi which are right next to the ocean.  We plan on chilling out at the beach, checking out the night life, checking out the sights and culture and having some nice meals at authentic restaurants. 

You know what that means...project 'Holbod' has now commenced because I want to be in tip top shape since it will be a beach holiday.  I'm so glad I don't have to start from scratch because I have been going to the gym 5 times a week so at least that's something.

It's only 12 weeks to go! I'm so excited!

Ohio State AD Gene Smith's Depressing Jim Tressel Resignation Video

With the recent news that Ohio State football head coach, Jim Tressel, will be stepping down permanently from his head coaching position, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith made the below video to discuss the firing.

The next three minutes and five seconds might get you a little depressed, unless your a Michigan fan:



(Courtesy of No Guts, No Glory)

Minnesota Weatherman Wants Your To Worry About Tornadoes Instead of UEFA Cup

Over the weekend, Fox affiliate in the Great Lakes region ran into a little issue during it's telecast of the UEFA Cup.

During the game, a tornado warning was issued and forced the affiliate to go split-screen with the game on one side and the weather warning on the other side.

That didn't sit well with some fans and Meteorologist Tim Blotz was not pleased with the constant complaints from angry viewers:



(Courtesy of Deadspin)

Fantasy Drafthelp: Top Baseball Call-Ups

This week, we bring you our Top 20 baseball pickups from the minors for June and beyond.

1 Mike Moustakas

2 Desmond Jennings

3 Brett Lawrie

4 Lonnie Chisenhall

5 Anthony Rizzo

6 Jemile Weeks

7 Jason Kipnis

8 Jesus Montero

9 Yonder Alonso

10 Domonic Brown

11 Paul Goldschmidt

12 Dayan Viciedo

13 Mike Montgomery

14 Jaff Decker

15 Trayvon Robinson

16 Dustin Ackley

17 Randall Delgado

18 Drew Pomeranz

19 Cord Phelps

20 Mike Trout

Baylor Softball Players Fouls Pitch Off Her Own Face

During yesterday's super regional softball game between the Baylor Bears and the Georgia Bulldogs, Baylor's Clare Hosack was at the plate faced an 0-2 count.

Hosack then proceeded to foul a pitch off her own face and needed numerous stitches to fix four facial fractures.

Fair warning, the below video may been graphic for some viewers:



(Courtesy of Bob's Blitz)

New Look, Accessorize & Summer Braided Hair

Remember I said I was lusting after these Topshop coral suede shoes?...

Well, after Sophie Rosalind left me a comment and kindly informed me that they rip your feet apart after one single wear, I decided that I treasure my toes too much to slice them to pieces.  However...fear not my little chicklings because I did indeed find a gorgeous pair of coral court shoes today in New Look using a voucher I found in an old bag that I didn't even know I had! (don't you LOVE it when that happens!):

These shoes are actually surprisingly comfortable, they are REAL suede and they are only £29.99! I think that's an amazing price for real suede shoes.  I also used a coupon that I got in the New Look magazine so they ended up only being £23.00. 

If your discount detectors are tingling then you can claim your New Look 20% discount here or if you have the New Look Magazine delivered to you, it's on page 26. You can just fill out your details and take it to one of their stores.

The shoes are actually slightly brighter than they appear in the pics.  I think I actually prefer these to the TopShop ones now because they are open court shoes so they have a real lengthening effect on your legs.  I will be wearing these beauties tonight and probably dancing the night away so I will report back as to whether they are kind to my tootsies!

I also picked up a gorgeous necklace from Accessorize that will be perfect for summer with a floaty blouse.  I always find it diffucult to walk past that store without having a look inside and I saw about 10 things that I now want!  They are like the perfect summer jewellery store!

Braided hair seems to be making an appearance both on celebs and on the catwalks.  I love the idea of it for summer because it's a more interesting way to keep your hair out of your face when you're at the beach or just trying to keep cool.  There's nothing worse than your hair getting all sweaty and stuck to your forehead!

I think waterfall braiding is particularly pretty so I'm going to give it a go at some point this week and let you guys know how I get on!  I'm not great at doing anything vaguely complicated with my hair so it should be interesting.  So if I manage to do it then that will prove anyone can!

Image courtesy of lovemaegan.com

I think this hairstyle is so gorgeous and beachy and it would work on wavy or straight hair. I found this tutorial on YouTube which is pretty easy to follow:

I love music from the 60's and early 70's so when I heard The Pierces on Lorraine the other morning, it was right up my street!  They sound (and look) like they should be performing at Woodstock!  I thought their performance on this show was fantastic and I love their melodies.  I know they have had a couple of albums that were released in their native US but I've never heard of them before until now so I will definitely be checking out their other work.

Soccer Players Gets Fireworks Thrown At Him

Back on Wednesday, Dinamo faced off against Steaeu to decide the winner of the Romanian Cup Final.

During the match, Dinamo player Torje faced some friendly fire from some Dinamo fans as threw a firecracker on the field:



(Courtesy of Cosby Sweaters)

Kim Kardashian Makeup Extravaganza

For me, Kim Kardashian can be hit or miss when it comes to her makeup looks.  Sometimes I feel like she (or her makeup artist rather) overdoes it and she ends up looking doll-like.  I often notice that she has become over-zealous with the undereye concealer and the area becomes unnaturally light which can look a bit strange.  I know some people do like that look but I guess it's all down to personal preference (as with all things makeup!).  However, when she gets it right, she looks amazing.  So I will go through my favourite of her makeup looks and detail which products were used to create the look.

One of the Kardashian girl's favourite makeup artists, Joyce Bonelli describes how she created the look above:

"I used The Sensual Skin Primer by Kevin Aucoin to prep Kim's skin. This gorge primer glides on as clear, similar to a lotion like formula, and dries to a soft, lightweight finish.  For this look I used Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 by Giorgio Armani. Perfect for long hours under hot lights, this foundation is a water-based foundation that leaves a long lasting matte coverage, without the coverage feel. SO light and fresh!  I used Laura Mercier Concealer. Try blending from the outer corners in to keep concealer from settling in fine lines under the eyes for flawless coverage.  I like to set Kim's gorgeous skin with Setting Powder by Laura Mercier. *This powder helps keep skin matte and incredibly smooth".

"I filled Kim's brows in with Brow Tech To-Go by SMASHBOX.  First I covered Kim’s lid with Eyeshadow in Midnight Blue by Burberry. BLEND BLEND BLEND up to the crease of the lid, then apply another layer only on the lower lid. SMASHBOX Bronze Lights Eyeshadow, is what I used under the lower lash line, blended into the Midnight Blue shade. I lined the inside lower lash line with Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Duck by MAC. After that I made sure to smudge the liner down into the lash line. I applied Palladio Black Liner over the top of the top of the lashes on the lid. For this look I layered on Individual Lashes by Ardelle to give a dramatic look. I used two types of mascara for this look, first a coat of Loreal Volumous Mascara in Black, followed by Hypnose Drama Mascara by Lancome to add length. To give Kim's cheeks a touch of color I first applied Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Orchid Rose by Chanel to the apples of her cheeks. On the hollow of her cheeks I applied Glow Bronzing Powder in Sunshine by Dolce & Gabbana to make her cheeks pop with a soft contour.

Right above the apples of Kim’s cheeks I applied Naked Pigment by M.A.C. to highlight her cheekbones.

Creamstick in Ginger Root by MAC is what I used to line Kim’s gorge lips! I then applied YSL Rouge Our 144 Lipstick all over the lips. I then finished her lips with Girlactik Orage Twist Lip Gloss to give a high gloss coat with a touch of color".

This was the makeup look Kim sported for her birthday in Las Vegas...

Her friend and makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic created this look for her:

"I used Sheer Glow Foundation by NARS all over the skin. Under the eyes and to highlight I used YSL’s Touch Eclat. To set everything use a touch of Translucent Loose Powder by Shiseido".

"Eyebrows are softly filled in with MAC’s eyebrow pencil in Lingering. Urban Decay eyeshadow in Eldorado on eye lids and browbone. Smog eyeshadow also by Urban Decay on the crease of the eye and outter corners of the lids. Smolder Eye Kohl by MAC rimming the entire eye and on the inner rims. Use more liner towards the outter corners. Using a clean brush, blend along the lashlines, moving up and out. Apply more liner for intensity if needed. Finish the eyes with two coats of Lancome’s Hynose Drama Mascara on top and bottom lashes".

"On the apples of the cheeks, use Passion blush by Josie Maran. Skin is bronzed with Josie Maran Bronzing Powder. Brush it along the hairline, jawline and hollows of cheeks. To highlight the cheek bones, use Trace Gold blush by MAC. Lips are lined with MAC’s Cremestick Liner in Summerfruit followed by Lipgelee in Saplicious, also by MAC".

The next series of YouTube vids show Kim having her makeup done by Stephen Moleski.  I like watching these kinds of videos because it gives you an insight into how makeup artists work and also what techniques they use.  You often pick up handy little hints and tips!  The videos are quite old but I think they are still relevant.

Kim often opts for the smokey eye/nude lip combination but sometimes she puts a twist on it by using browns, bronzes or a bit of blue or purple.  Us girls in the beauty blogging community always want to know EXACTLY which products have been used to achieve the look WE want.

This was another look created by Mario Dedivanovic from her sister's unisex fragrance launch...

"I started with moisturizing Kim’s face and neck using La Mer’s The Moisturizing Lotion. I let that settle for about five minutes and then applied Veil Fluid Makeup (No. 3: Sand) by Hourglass all over the skin and blended with a damp sponge. This foundation gives a luminous, lasting coverage. Under the eyes, I used By Terry’s Touche Veloutee Concealer in the Cream shade. I blended a bit on the eye lids as well to prime them for the eyeshadow. To set skin I used a bit of Jane Iredale PureMatte Finish Powder, mainly on the T-zone and over the concealer to set".

"I filled in Kim’s brows with Brow Tech To Go in Taupe, by Smashbox. To get the soft, golden shade on Kim’s eyes, first I layered LORAC Tantalizer Baked Bronzer on eyelids and along the lower lashes. Next I went over it and applied Eye M Glam highlighter (giella.com) over eyelids, inner corners of eyes and a bit on the brow bones. Sweep Eye M Glam along lower lashes as well and blend it out to get that smoky golden look. I defined the upper lash line with By Terry eyeliner in Macassar Brown. In the waterline or inner rim of the eyes, I used the Eye M Glam all over pencil (available soon) I added a few medium sized individual lashes by Reese Robert (really cool line of eyelashes!) for extra volume and finished off the eyes with two coats of Hypnose Mascara by Lancome on the top and bottom lashes".

"I bronzed the hollows of Kim’s cheeks, along her hairline, jaw and down the center of neck with Terracotta Bronzing powder by Guerlain. I added a hint of color to the apple of the cheeks using LORAC blush in Pink and swept over the apples and along the cheekbones with Giella’s Eye M Glam highlighter. I used the left-over highlighter on the brush and applied it down the bridge of the nose and on the cupids bow of her lips. To add some of that golden glow to the body, I used Sigma’s Body Brush which is plated in 18K gold and has super-soft bristles! Just dip the brush into the Eye M Glam lid and apply straight to your body".

"I lined Kim’s lips with Josie Maran lipliner in Natural and kept the lip shade in the same color family as the cheeks by applying a blend of MAC lipstick in Half ‘n Half followed by Eye M Glam AcryLip gloss.  I finished off Kim’s makeup by spraying a light mist of Rose Water by Dream Organics on her face and neck. This sets the makeup and gives a fresh, dewy look to the skin".

This image is from Kim's 'Caress' shoot and her makeup was by Troy Jensen:

"For Kim’s look, I wanted it to be fresh, sexy, and glowing. I first evened out her complexion by mixing a highlighting luminizing foundation, a soft golden liquid foundation, and a liquid moisturizer. Then I dabbed on a touch of concealer and blended well and set with a loose mineral powder. For cheeks, I blended on a bronzer/soft peach cheek color for a soft glow".

"On Kim’s eyes, I first defined and groomed her beautifully shaped eyebrows. Then I used soft brown eye-shadow to lightly contour her eyes and a deep brown eyeliner to lightly define the eyes. Then I curled and coated her lashes with black mascara. For the lips, I kept them very sheer and neutral by lining them with a soft peach lip-liner and filled them in with a pale pink lip-liner. Finally, I topped off the lips with a sheer beige gloss for a sexy pout".

Here's another insight into Kim having her makeup done.  I'm always fascinated by makeup artists at work and I love the way Mario mixes everything and never uses just one shade.  He talks in the video about how he struggled for ages when learning how to conceal the under eye area.  I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with that! It seems even the professionals need to work at it!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and if you have any requests for a similar type of post featuring another celeb then just let me know and I'll see what I can do!

My Tips For A Flawless Fake Tan!

Some people may think “I can’t be bothered spending ages on fake tan”. But in my mind, what’s the point in being tanned if it’s all uneven and patchy? You want the result to be natural and flattering to your colouring. Of course everyone makes mistakes with fake tan…god knows I have had some disasters in my time but generally they were caused by being careless or trying to rush the process.  That’s why I’m doing this post…knowledge is power! By following tips from other bloggers over the past couple of years, I know I have my perfect routine for a flawless tan and hopefully this post will help anyone who is a tanning novice or just a bit scared of the stuff!  I personally prefer to have a golden/honey tan rather than being REALLY dark because I find that can be ageing.

Preparation

It may sound obvious hint but regularly maintaining a good skincare routine for your body will keep your skin consistently in good condition will help when it comes to fake tan. It's best to either moisturise every morning when you step out the shower or (like me) apply it every night before bed.  I never have time in the morning to faff around with body lotions and I hate the way my clothes cling to me when I have it on! The more regularly you take care of your skin on your whole body, the less work you will have to do when you want to hit the fake tan bottle and the more receptive your skin will be to fake tan.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

I can't put enough emphasis on just how important it is to exfoliate your whole body before you even attempt to apply fake tan.  It's imperative to lift all those dead skin cells and reveal revitalised, ready-to-tan skin beneath. Applying your chosen fake tan to parched, uneven skin will simply leave you with tell tale signs like patchiness and streaks. I like to use exfoliators or scrubs without any oil ingredients in them so I don’t end up with an oily residue on my skin after showering. It’s just about creating the best possible base for the fake tan to adhere and absorb into the skin.  Exfoliating will also help any moisturiser penetrate your skin more effectively and will prevent in-grown hairs and blemishes on your body by unclogging your pores.

Exfoliating gloves are also a must have because they are easy to use, cost-effective and give the skin a good buffing.  They are designed to be used in the shower (a modern-day version of the loofah) and they make it easy to exfoliate every day just using your shower gel.  Remember to wash your gloves regularly to prevent bacteria build-up.

As a side note - I always shave my legs and underarms AFTER fake tanning.  Everyone has different views on this but I find the fake tan settles into pores when you shave beforehand and sometimes you can be left with a dotted effect.  Granted that shaving 12 hours after using fake tan will remove a little of the colour BUT I would rather that than having a weird looking tan.

Moisturise

Be sure to thoroughly moisturise with an oil-free body lotion before you fake it (this could affect the result of the tan and create a barrier between the skin and tanning product) and remember to let it fully sink in.  Pay particular attention to wrists, elbows, ankles, knees and feet – any areas that can get dry and need extra moisture. I always moisturise lightly again over hands and feet to ensure the skin is properly hydrated.  I love Dove Body Silk because it absorbs instantly into the skin and leaves it super soft.  I have also been using the new Garnier 7 Day Moisturiser which is slightly richer and takes a bit longer to sink in BUT it has left my skin in amazing condition after over a week of applying it every night!  A cheap all time favourite light moisturiser of mine is Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion.

Application Tools

The tools you use to apply your fake tan can make a huge difference to the finished result.  If I am using a particularly dark self tanning product like Xen Tan or He-Shi then I most definitely always either wear gloves or use a tanning mitt.  Applying these darker products with your hands is just too risky because it's more than likely you will end up with tanned palms which is NEVER a good look! To avoid tanned hands and grubby fingernails, it's safest to use one of these application options. The gloves feel weird at first but you soon get used to them. I have recently started using a He-Shi mitt and have found it really easy to use and also easy to clean.  It also esnures a really even and thin application (this is important when it comes to drying time and an even result). I also use a Backhand Lotion Applicator to get to the hard-to-reach areas on my back. It’s GENIUS and makes self tanning a whole lot easier and it gets Chris off the hook (he once had orange palms from putting fake tan on my back…the things we do for love!)

Preventative Measures

A great tan tip is to apply a small amount of Vaseline along your brows and next to your hair line to avoid staining those areas (very important if you have light coloured hair!).  Tanning the face should be treated with caution and dabbing the jelly means that any slip of the hand when applying will prevent dodgy tide marks appearing in these areas. Be extra careful on the area above your lips as product can collect in the hairs on your face and create a dark patch…nobody wants a fake tan tasche!  I always lightly sweep a cotton pad above my lip to collect any excess product.

Don’t use too much product…use as little as possible in fact to ensure a subtle and even result and to reduce the drying time.

Hands and feet need less tan

Apply GRADUAL tan to hands and feet to avoid the colour being too dark OR dilute your existing tan with moisturiser to avoid having to buy too many products.

Buff

An extra step you can build into your routine for a flawless result every time is to don a buffing mitt (St Tropez do one) to ensure your tan is perfectly applied and avoid any sign of patchiness.  This also helps to blend the tanning products into your hands and feet to merge into the gradual tanners.  The St Tropez buffing mitt only costs £3.57. You can also use a baby or face wipe to gently rub around your nail cuticles and between fingers just to ensure a flawless finish.

Wear loose, dark clothing afterwards

In an ideal world we would be able to wander around in the buff post-fake tan with our weird tan-drying poses.  However, I doubt any of us have the time (or brazen nature) to do that.  Now let's get one thing straight...I never ever apply fake tan in the day or before I go out. I saw guy on Made in Chelsea applying St Tropez tanning lotion on his face before a night out and was horrified.  This would surely result in a weird patchy, uneven tan after you have danced the night away and sweated half of it off?!  I only ever apply fake tan before bedtime to give the product the optimum time it needs to develop and do it's job without any disturbances.  I always make sure I wear reasonably loose pyjamas to avoid any product being rubbed off in the night and creating a patchy tan.

 Self-tan Remover

If it all goes completely pear-shaped and you are left with distinctly orange palms or wrist that look like they have been tangoed, the don’t panic.  St Tropez (and some other brands) do self tan removing products that can be applied with cotton pads to diminish the tell tale signs!

And finally, here's the lowdown on my favourite fake tan products to get your glow on!

I like to use self tan products that are specially formulated for the face as they tend to be lighter in formulation, contain more moisturising ingredients and are less likely to clog pores and cause blemishes.  Both of the Clarins and the Estee Lauder self tans give a lovely golden colour to the face without going too dark.  The Xen Tan Face Tanner Luxe goes slightly darker as it has olive tones in it. 

Once again, the Estee Lauder self tan for the body gives a really natural golden colour and is great for people who don't want to go too dark.  The Xen Tan one gives a deep tan but doesn't make you look like you're starring in Jersey Shore.  The darkest formulation is definitely the He-Shi Dark Foaming Mousse and I ONLY use this on my legs as they are the palest part of my body (due to the lack of sunshine in Aberdeen!).  I feel like this would be too dark to use on the rest of my body though.  It is incredibly easy to use and I was mega impressed by the formulation!