Note Cosmetics is our Brand of the Month for April and we’re
super excited to have them onboard. You may not have heard of the incredible cosmetics
brand but lucky for us, Fragrance Direct are the only exclusive retailers in the
UK!
So, we thought we’d take this opportunity to dive in and
tell you a bit more about the brand Note Cosmetics and why we love them so
much! Plus, we’ll give you a sneaky peak of all our favourite products…
Where it all started
Note was launched in 2014 by a group of leading European
chemists who wanted to create a brand that was luxurious yet affordable. Their mission
was to embrace the art of beauty and create clean, affordable, high quality
makeup products inspired by the colours of life and rich notes of nature. From
a dramatic smoky eye to a bright, bold lip, Note as all the products you need
to create the beauty look of your dreams.
Beauty with benefits
The expertise of top makeup artists and skincare
professionals is at the core of Note Cosmetics. From the full coverage foundations
and the long-lasting lip glosses, every product provides good for skin benefits
using ingredients like vitamins, minerals and essential oils.
Excelled by nature
Note source ingredients from around the world to create
products that are good for you and good for the environment. The pigmented,
botanical infused formulas provide rich colours and superior coverage. Free of
parabens and other nasties, Note products let you create a variety of beauty
looks without harming your skin or the earth. All Note products are cruelty
free and include no animal-derived ingredients.
Inclusive, diverse and respectful
Note pride themselves on celebrating that every person is
different in their own beautiful and unique way and their makeup should be too!
They believe in providing beauty products for everyone, no matter their skin
type or colour and with a huge range of colours and textures you’ll be sure to
find a product to match your complexion.
Now after that we’re sure you’ll be as excited as we were to
try all the amazing products Note Cosmetics have to offer. Down below we have a
small selection of some our favourite and bestselling products we recommend you
pick up first!
This is a concealer that has a medium to full coverage texture
that helps to cover under eye circles and imperfections in an instant. The long-lasting
formula stays comfortably on the skin all day long, making sure you look
flawless at all times!
This BB Cream is an amazing product that offers coverage as
well as skincare benefits! The beauty balm formula offers protection from the
sun, environmental aggressors as well as evening out the skin tone and give you
light to medium coverage. Each shade blends seamless into the skin and gives
you that gorgeous radiant glow.
These amazing lipsticks protect and nourish the lips with Argan
Oil and Cocoa Butter whilst also packing a punch with pigmented colour! They have
a gorgeous range of neutral colours that are perfect for everyday wear.
If you struggle with shine and love a foundation that gives
you full coverage and lasts all day, then this is the one for you! Recommended
for those with oily skin, it provides a formula that helps balance sebum levels
to maintain a healthy complexion. This buildable foundation is sure to be your
next favourite product!
Terracotta Illuminating Powder glides over the skin for a
flawless highlight every single time you use it. Macadamia oil helps the skin
retain moisture with added anti-ageing benefits, what more could you want?!
The soft and silky texture of this Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil
glides on easily for colour that doesn’t crease or smudge for up to 24 hours. If
you struggle with applying eyeshadow and getting it to blend properly then this
is the product for you, just swipe it over the lids and buff out the edges for
the easiest eyeshadow look ever.
There you have it, all our favourite Note Cosmetics products along with some extra info about the brand itself. Keep your eyes out for any promotions and free gifts for our amazing Brand of the Month and don’t forget to give us a shout out on social and let us know what you think!
Thank you for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Come and take a look at the incredible fragrance and beauty brands we stock!
We’ve all been there. While applying makeup on
the morning commute is far from ideal, sometimes there’s just no
alternative. If you’ve overslept or had an early morning disaster, you might
well find yourself bundling your makeup into your bag to be applied on the way
into work.
Applying makeup on the bus, tram, or train can
be a great way to spend the empty part of your day. Instead of staring out of a
window or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, you can get yourself sorted
and feeling good for the day ahead.
A public transport makeup routine can be a
little trickier than at home, where you probably have a big mirror and plenty
of space to work. If you’re thinking about putting on makeup on your way into
work, you might need to make some tweaks to your daily steps to ensure
everything sits right.
Choose the right products for on-the-go
application
This is a biggie. If you think you’re going to
be applying your makeup on the commute, it will be important that you choose
products that can handle your on-the-go approach.
Whether you choose these products to be part of
your everyday makeup collection or build a special makeup bag to take with you
in the morning, choosing compact and functional products is a must.
Foundation
When it comes to foundation, try
one in a creamy stick formula that you won’t need to pour out onto your hand.
When you choose a stick foundation, there’s no risk of spills or mess, simply
apply the product to your face then blend it out with a foundation
brush – no fingers necessary! You might also like a compact cream or powder
foundation, which can be lifted and applied with a brush. These compact options
are great for on-the-go application because they often come with a mirror in
the lid.
Blush
To colour your cheeks, choose a single shade blush
in a small compact. There’s no need to bring your giant palette of shades along
for the commute – the bulky container will only get in the way and make your
application even more annoying to any prickly passengers nearby. There are
plenty of great single shade blushes to choose from, and these small, light products
will pop into your bag no dramas.
Eye colour
Eyeshadow? No
problem. Choose a creamy eyeshadow stick or pot that can be easily applied and
blended out with your finger. If you’re including this step in your on-the-go
makeup routine, you might want to keep some tissues or wipes in your bag to
clean off your finger afterwards.
Lashes and eyebrows
For lashes and brows,
why not choose a brown mascara which can double up as a brow gel? For extra
compact points, choose a mini travel mascara that won’t take up as much room in
your bag. Choosing a small mascara instead of a full-sized product helps you
stay in control of the want, too, which means you’re less likely to poke
yourself in the eye. Praise!
Lipstick
A swipe of your usual lipstick or balm completes
the look, and you’re ready for the day! Of course, you can add or remove steps
to make sure your travel makeup routine suits you perfectly.
Quick hairstyles for the morning commute
If you don’t have time, don’t worry about
straightening, curling, or fastening your hair into a fancy do. Some of the
best hairstyles are the simplest, from a sleek ponytail to a sweet low bun,
there are plenty of options which can easily be achieved on-the-go.
Here are some of our favourite easy hairstyles
for those mornings when there just isn’t time:
Push it back with a headband
Twist it into a low bun
Line some clips along your
fringe to keep it out of the way
Pull together a sleek ponytail
Weave a loose plait
Keep a comb or a
compact brush in your on-the-go makeup bag for last-minute hairstyling and
make sure you’re always looking sleek.
Searching for more makeup and hairstyling
inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog for everything you need
to know about feeling great, even when you’ve overslept!
Step into Spring with a refreshing new look. How, you ask?
With the addition of a radiant new blusher of course. From watercolour liquids
to mineral powders and crème puff formulas, the choices are endless. Over the
past few years in the beauty world, bronzer and contour have been getting all
the attention and we believe that blusher is just as important. Here’s why…
Depending on your skin type and the occasion, you may prefer
going for a dewy moisturised ‘barely there’ look, or if coverage is the
ultimate goal, a matte look could be just the thing you need. What’s more, is
that there are so many blushers
out there with different finishes to help you achieve whichever look you
desire. So, we’ve done the digging for you and today we’re showcasing some of
the best options available at Fragrance Direct right now.
This multi-award winning Watercolour fluid blusher contains
Vitamin E and jojoba to enhance application and nourish the skin. This liquid
formula is super simple to blend and build up colour on cheeks. It features a silicone-based
oil-free formulation that doesn’t clog pores and suits every skin type. The
silicone makes it water-resistant too, so this is a great product to take into the
spring and summer seasons too.
If you’re into wearing a shearer layer of makeup, this
lightweight cream blush stick is great for blending over a lightweight base and
adding that subtle touch of colour to your cheeks. Products like this are great
for minimal makeup looks to give you that healthy glow all year round.
Blend, sweep and sculpt for an effortless flush of colour. Whether
you’re looking for a soft, natural-looking finish or a more structured look,
you can achieve the perfect cheek colour with this product. This creamy powder
is swirled with multi-tonal pigments that are finely milled to flatter your
skin tone in every way.
If you’re a lover of an all-matte finish, this could be the
perfect blush option for you. Lilly Lolo’s Mineral Blush allows buildable
coverage for a truly customisable colour. Their soft and silky formula is
available in a matte formula to help control oils and sink into your matte
foundation. They also offer subtle shimmer finishes if you’re after a little
sparkle too.
This pressed powder blush is stunning for a subtle, sheer
makeup look. This classic blush formula provides a healthy glow to flatter any skin
tone and with its silky, sheer qualities, it instantly gives the cheeks a
fresh, natural-looking pop of colour.
Which blush formula do you think is most suited to you and
your skin type? Maybe you’ve been using one and now know that there is a better
formula out there for you. Either way, why not try something new and welcome in
a new favourite to your makeup collection?
Today, all that foundation
and concealer jargon will finally become so much clearer. After reading this,
we promise that you’ll never struggle again when it comes to knowing which
shade of foundation is Mr Right for you. So, have a scroll and find out.
You’ve just ran out of your holy grail foundation, so you pop
up to the shops and walk over to the makeup aisles only to find yourself
feeling massively overwhelmed. You want to try something new but have no idea
where to start. Do you stick to the norm or be a little bit more adventurous?
You know you’ll be searching online anyway to get the best price around (cough
cough, have you used our barcode feature available on the FD App yet) but still,
it’s quite the challenge.
When it comes to finding a new concealer, the makeup science
is a little bit easier. We know that a pink tone is good for covering up dark
circles and the yellower the colour the better it is to cover up red blemishes.
However, it’s the foundation that makes pull the whole base together that tends
to be the trickiest, so let’s dive into the nitty gritty.
Determining Your Undertone
Check out your jewellery
If you haven’t noticed already, you probably already sway to
either gold or silver jewellery because you prefer how it looks against your
skin. If you tend to like gold jewellery you’re more likely to have a warm
undertone or you find it’s enhances your tan (fake or not). Silver and platinum
tend to flatter cooler undertones.
Look at your veins
If you examine your wrist – yes, it sounds odd but trust us
– if your veins have a green tinge you’re likely to be on the warmer side and
if they’re blue or purplish-looking, you’ll be on the cooler side.
What is your preferred hair colour?
Whether you play around with different hair colours or not,
this could also help indicate what you skin undertone is. Platinum and ashy
blondes tend to complement the cooler side and colours enriched with mahogany
and gold really suit the warmer side.
How To Match Your Makeup
If you have a warm undertone…
Foundations that look slightly more yellow and rich in the bottle are likely to suit your skin best. Warmth compliments warmth, it’s only natural.
If you have a cool undertone…
The perfect shade for you will have a slight pink tone to it and will look the most natural. You should definitely avoid yellowish foundations unless you’re looking for a shade to match your fake tan. If you have luscious darker skin, lookout for the rich redder tones.
If you have an olive undertone…
If you’re lucky enough to have gorgeous, olive skin, you’re
best off looking for shades that aren’t too yellow as you can pretty much let
your natural skin colour do the work for you.
If you’re all neutral…
Of course, not everyone is one or the other. People with
neutral undertones tend to look better in foundations with a peachy shade
that’s just in between. It’s probably best to test out three shades in a row as
they often alternate between cool, neutral and warm.
Are you feeling like this has definitely helped get your head around all the different shades a little bit more? It only makes sense to head on over to our shopping site to go after your perfect foundation match, right?
It’s no secret that the
winter months can wreak havoc on skin and hair. The seemingly constant wind, rain,
and freezing cold temperatures do plenty to strip away essential natural oils,
leaving hair dry and brittle and skin parched, flaky, and more prone to
breakouts. Throw indoor heating into the mix, and you might find yourself in a
pickle.
Why, oh, why? If you’re
battling the elements this winter, there are a couple of saving graces that you
might want to add to your beauty routine. Making use of the right restorative
products can balance out the winter damage and help you maintain your shiny
locks and smooth, baby-plump skin.
What does winter do to the skin?
There are plenty of reasons
to love winter, from cosy nights beside the fire to mulled wine and sparkling
lights. But there are some drawbacks to the dark, cold weather that we
experience in the UK. Our least favourite of these is the effect that winter
can have on our skin. Dry, flaky, sun-deprived skin isn’t something we strive
for, and while there are some things you can do to fight the inevitable, you
might have to accept it to a certain extent.
To reduce the effects of cold
weather on your skin, you’ll need to get serious about your winter skincare
routine.
How to keep skin healthy in winter
There are several things
you can to minimise winter’s effect on your skin. With the right equipment and
a little effort, there’s no reason you can’t cruise through the season with a
glowing complexion.
Winterproof your home
You might be thinking about
moisturisers, oils, and serums, and while those products do play a big part in
winterproofing your skin, the best place to start is your home environment.
The drier the air around
you, the drier your skin will be. Obviously, there’s nothing you can do about
the outside air (we wish), but you can control the humidity inside your home.
Consider buying a humidifier for your bedroom, or the room where you spend most
of your time. Humidifiers increase the amount of moisture in the air, helping
keep skin hydrated like it usually is in the balmy summer months.
Hydrate your skin through your diet
Diet plays an important
role in the skin’s health and appearance, and foods containing healthy fats can
help to improve the condition of dry skin. This means fuelling up on things
like avocado, oily fish, nuts, chia seeds, and extra virgin olive oil. You
should be drinking plenty of water, too, but we didn’t need to tell you that.
On the other end of the
scale, things like alcohol, coffee, and caffeine can cause dehydration. While
it can be hard staying away from the coffee during dark winter days, it’s
recommended that you try to make the sacrifice if you’re concerned about your
skin’s hydration.
Exfoliate
A little dry skin is
inevitable in winter. Keep its effects to a minimum by buffing flakes away with
a gentle exfoliator two to three times a week. Choose a product
with a mild formula to keep sensitive skin happy and concentrate on areas prone
to dryness like your nose and forehead.
Start using a heavier moisturiser
Light moisturisers have
their place in summer, but when things start to dry out in the colder months,
you’ll need a little more support from your product. This is one of the most
important steps in treating dry skin, so don’t skip it!
Choose a heavy cream moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid. Use it morning
and night to keep skin ultra-hydrated and peachy.
Perfect your bedtime routine
The key to healthy-looking,
hydrated skin day after day is the perfect nighttime routine.
Hot showers are tempting in
winter, but exposure to the warm water for more than a couple of minutes can
add to your skin’s dehydration. Keep the temperature mild or limit your time in
the water to help your skin maintain its natural oils. Switch your regular shower gel or soap for a gentle formula and apply a thick layer
of moisturiser almost as soon as you step out.
Wash your face with a
gentle cleanser and slather on an eye cream, followed by your heavy winter moisturiser.
You might also want to turn your attention to other parts of your body before
you sleep too, applying hand cream and lip therapy before you go to sleep.
All this might seem like a
lot, but when the reward is healthy, glowing skin, we think it’s worth the
effort!
What does winter do to hair?
Like its effect on the skin,
wintery weather and indoor heating can dry hair out by stripping away the
natural oils we love. Thankfully, there are plenty of tricks and products that
can help battle the cold and keep locks looking great through winter.
Be careful with scarves and layers
We’d never suggest you
leave your favourite scarf behind on a chilly winter morning, but have you ever
thought about what those woolly layers are doing to your hair? When you throw
on a scarf or sweatshirt and don’t untuck your hair, leaving it trapped between
your layers, it’s subjected to unnecessary friction which can cause dryness and
damage.
Try tying your hair into a
soft bun beneath your scarf, keeping it safe from the elements but also
avoiding friction from your layers.
Shampoo less
To help keep your hair
hydrated and healthy, consider cutting back the frequency of washes. When you shampoo your hair, you clean away grease, dirt, and
built-up oils from your scalp. Doing this too often, particularly in winter,
can cause your hair and scalp to dry out unnecessarily.
Try to go an extra day
between washes, wearing your hair in a neat up-do if you don’t feel good with
it down. The weekends and days off can be perfect for this, and your hydrated
hair will certainly thank you!
Deep condition once a week
Revitalise your hair with a
deep conditioning treatment once a week. Choose a product that helps
strengthen and moisturise. Simply sink into a warm bath, slather on your deep
conditioner, and enjoy ten minutes of relaxation while the product does its
work.
Use a nourishing oil
We love serums for summer, but when the days are
long and cold, your hair will need a little more intense TLC. Choose a
nourishing hair oil and apply a few drops straight after a wash. You can then
dry and style your hair as normal. The oil will help minimise frizz and static,
protect from heat damage, and keep your hair hydrated against the wind and
rain. You can also finish off your look with a few drops of oil for extra silky
softness.
Searching for more winter survival tips?
Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog and discover the tips and tricks
that’ll see you through the season.
A new year is here! To celebrate, we’re switching
up our makeup and skincare routine. We’re in dire need of a little TLC after an
over-indulgent festive period, and with January sales in full swing, there’s
never been a better time to inject a little newness into the daily toil.
There are plenty of ways to update your routine,
from makeup and beauty to your overall health and wellness, so focus on what’s
going to work for you. If you already have a flawless nighttime arrangement,
why change it?
For many of us, though, there are parts of the routine
that could be just that little bit better. If you’re stuck in a rut and want to
feel happier and more radiant throughout the day, try making one of these small
changes and see how it affects you.
Diet
A good diet is one of the most important elements
of any beauty routine, though it can be easy to ignore in favour of fancy
lotions and potions. If you’ve fallen off the health wagon this winter, now’s
the time to jump back on!
Make small changes to your diet that you’re
likely to stick to. Whether it’s drinking more water each day to switching out
caffeine for healthier herbal teas, there are plenty of options that’ll have
you feeling great.
Skincare
Even the most perfect skincare routines can use
an update from time to time. Refreshing your regular products helps them work
to their full potential and allows you to really understand what’s best for
you.
Try changing your daily moisturiser
for a different formula, adding an exfoliator
into your weekly routine, or applying facial oil before bed. Only you can know
what your routine is lacking, so it’s up to you to identify any problems and
fix them. Of course, if you have your routine down and your skin is flawless as
a result, you might be better sticking with what you know.
Another way that we’re updating our skincare
routine for 2020 is by leaning more towards sustainable and organic
products. There are so many eco-friendly beauty products on the market,
with many of them making use of brilliant new natural ingredients. See what you
can find and feel good about looking good this year.
Makeup
This is the place to have fun. There are so many
changes you can make to your makeup that will have a huge influence on your
look, whether it’s day-to-day or for a special occasion.
Why not test a new eyeshadow colour?
Experiment with winged
eyeliner or switch your regular black mascara for a shade
of brown. You can go natural or experiment with a bolder look. The
possibilities are endless!
Searching for more new year new me
inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog for plenty of tips and
tricks that’ll have you feeling like your best self in 2020.
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