With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to pull out your favourite Mineral Bronzer to get sunkissed colour for a warm, glowing complexion. When applying bronzer to your face, it’s best to sweep a light dusting to the areas that would usually catch the sun – your forehead, cheeks, chin and down your nose.

You can even apply it to your neck, chest and shoulders for a gorgeous glow to the upper body when wearing a strappy or strapless top. Coverage is best built in light layers using a Powder Brush to avoid overloading on your skin, so that your look stays natural. Don’t forget our minerals are highly pigmented so a little goes a long way!

Mineral bronzer is also great for contouring and adding definition to your face. Sweep the bronzer upwards towards your temples or in the hollows of your cheeks to give you an instant slimmer effect.

We have three fabulous bronzer shades to choose from. Waikiki, our lightest golden brown shade gives a stunning subtle shimmer to lighter skin tones, or can be used to highlight on darker skin.

South Beach is our medium bronzer with a matte finish. It has lovely peachy undertones to give a natural finish to your complexion.

Our darkest bronzer is Bondi Bronze. This shimmering brown bronzer has golden highlights that glisten in the sun and it’s also suitable for most skin tones.

Stay bronzed this summer and glow with our mineral bronzers!

As a Product Development Co-ordinator and Customer Service Advisor, I spend a lot of my time liaising with customers and suppliers to ensure we’re giving the service you need and providing the products you want. Many of our customers ask for more products, gift sets and the chance to re-visit popular shades from the past, and we try to provide these whenever we can.

We’re very proud that the UK is hosting the Olympics this year and we want to celebrate this with both our national and international customers. 1948 was the last time the Olympics were held in the UK which make this year’s games something really special, and we want to be part of that by cheering on the athletes in Lily Lolo style.

So, I started thinking about how we could become part of the winning community feel of the Olympics and produce something that’s also on trend.

I held a concept meeting to gather our team’s thoughts on what they would like to see as a commemorative product to mark the occasion. We quickly decided that it had to be a feminine twist to the usual sporty theme of the Olympics.

A soft, pretty gift box showing a view of the London skyline – an image that will be cast across the world this coming summer – was the favourite concept to be developed. And, as metallic is a key trend this season, we thought what better way to go than filling the gift box with our own collection of mineral eye shadow colours.

The colours were an easy choice as the current range already holds the winning combination. Our stunning Bronze Sparkle, Silver Dollar and Gold Digger mineral eye shadows make the perfect collection. Plus, we’ve brought back Silver Dollar by popular demand and for a limited time only during the Olympics.

To complete our limited edition collection, we needed a memorable and catchy name. We chose ‘If Eye Were A Winner’ as it seems to fit perfectly. I hope you like it as much as we do.

Finally, I love hearing what you think, so feel free to leave your comments or suggestions about our products below, or send me an email: emma@lilylolo.co.uk

Emma Cleary x

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to refresh your make up bag to take you on trend with the latest catwalk looks.

The spring/summer 2012 catwalks provided a variety of looks from true minimalism to bold metallic eyes. Diane Kendal at Proenza Schouler gave the ultimate minimalist look by using only concealer, powder and blush for the face, and a nude slick on the lips. This look continued across the catwalk in shows from Missoni, Stella McCartney, Givenchy and Chloe.

Our brand new shades of Beach Babe and Sand Dune are perfect for creating your own minimalist look of barely there make up, while appearing effortlessly beautiful.

Gentle smoky eyes were key for Pat McGrath at Lanvin, with a pretty taupe and brown shimmer twist on the traditional grey and black smoky eye look. Create your own version with Miami Taupe and our new Black Sand eye shadow. Why not take the look from day to night by adding the rich chocolatey shimmer of Moonlight.

Dare to bare? Christopher Kane, Missoni and Thakoon all opted for a mascara free, simple look for their catwalk shows. Create your own fresh faced look with just foundation, clear gloss and a flush of our cool, pink Surfer Girl blush.

Metallic eyes were also all over the catwalks, which saw Fendi apply gold or silver leaf to the entire lid and brow. With a variety of our mineral eye shadows such as Gunmetal, Gold Digger and Golden Lilac to choose from, there’s bound to be a metallic look for you!

Whichever catwalk look inspires you this season, we’re here to help you create your effortless summer beauty…naturally.

Lily Lolo x

It’s that time of year where we’ve over indulged at Easter and now we’re thinking of getting into shape for the summer sun.

Are you fed up with reading about the latest fad diet to get you into shape? Here at Lily Lolo we’d like to share our thoughts on eating a healthy well balanced diet and the importance of looking after yourself.

From veggie diets to zero carbs, we’ve all heard the latest crazes to hit our food cupboards that often create unrealistic images and expectations. In fact, we think a healthy and balanced lifestyle is a much better alternative.

Now summer is just around the corner what better excuse to start munching on fresh, brightly coloured salads. Salad leaves, peppers, radish, cucumber, tomatoes, beetroot and spring onions provide variety to your salad and are packed with essential nutrients and water to help keep your skin glowing.

Oily fish, chicken or cheese can be a great source of protein while wholegrain pastas, rice, bread or potatoes give much needed fibre and help you to feel fuller for longer.

Need a snack? Fruit such as good ole granny smith apples mixed with sweet beets make a great base for a healthy snack. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds are also great for snacking on the move or at your desk.

Regular exercise and keeping hydrated are essential for keeping good health and shaping up for summer. Try a slice of lemon or lime in your water for a citrus twist that will help to enhance your skin and aid digestion.

When you eat healthily you feel better and you look healthier too. What’s more, having healthier skin will make your mineral makeup perform even better. Now it doesn’t get any better than that does it?

Well, Easter’s nearly here and how time flies. We’ve been chatting about what lovely things remind us of this springtime celebration. Chocolate, Daffodils, repeats of old film classics, relaxing, visiting family, or just getting away from it all. But there’s one thing that we all agree on…we love the Easter Bunny!

And this Easter, we want to celebrate with our very own favourite bunny.

We’re proud to have been BUAV approved since August 2009, so we’d like to share our passion for the leaping bunny this Easter.

As you know, none of our products are tested on animals and never have been. Our BUAV approval means that not only are the products you buy from us natural, they also haven’t been tested on animals at any point throughout the supply chain.

It’s our pleasure to give Lily Lolo devotees the assurance that they can look amazing with cruelty free confidence.

So this Easter, sit back, relax and remember, we want you to look and feel fabulous wearing our mineral makeup…oh…and if you’re looking for a guilty pleasure – don’t forget the chocolate eggs!

Have a wonderful Easter from all at Lily Lolo x

It’s that time of year again when talent shows are the talk of the town.

On Saturday night, the BBC introduced us to The Voice while ITV brought back the ever popular Britain’s Got Talent – with the promise of the best line up yet!

We liked Jessie J on The Voice. With her strong look she likes to set the trend for dramatic eyes with her makeup while Holly Willoughby showed off an effortlessly classic look of polished glamour.

Amanda Holden has also provided a stunning variety of looks over the previous five series of Britain’s Got Talent and it looks like 2012 is going to be no exception. Oh, and with the addition of Alesha Dixon to the judging panel it looks like this year’s judges will be oozing glitz and glamour.

If you want to create your own glitz and glamour, Lily Lolo eye liners are great for creating a variety of looks and our lip glosses give the perfect pout whatever the occasion. You can also create your own twist on their looks with Gold Digger and Witchypoo eye shadow.

Gold Digger washed over the lid brightens up your eyes but still looks glamorous, or if you’re looking for a barely there lid, try Vanilla Shimmer or Honey Peach.

Our Witchypoo eye shadow doubles up as a dramatic black eye liner when applied wet with our eye definer brush. If you want even more intensity apply our black eye liner over the top close to your lash line. Remember that classical flick to ooze elegance!

So back to the celebs…what did you think and who won your vote in the battle of the beauties?

We’re over the moon to announce that our Pink Champagne Mineral Eye Shadow has won the Natural Health Magazine Award for BEST Eye Shadow!

With its subtle pink colour and hint of a shimmer it’s a beautiful Spring shade that works great on all eye colours and as it’s such a versatile shade you can get stunning results when you pair it with shades such
as Khaki Sparkle, Mystery or Sidewalk

Take your Pink Champagne look from day to night by applying all over the eyelid with our Eye Shadow Brush before adding evening drama by blending Gunmetal into the sockets with our Eye Blending Brush for  added depth and definition to eyes.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming; Spring is definitely in the air! So it’s time to blow away the cobwebs of your tried and trusted winter makeup and spring clean your cosmetics bag!

Many of us get stuck in a bit of a rut with our eye makeup, wearing the same old black eye liner, but did you know that our rich silver grey eye liner makes a gorgeous alternative to black? It’s less harsh yet still gives striking definition and really emphasises the eyes, it makes them pop and best of all it suits all eye colours! What’s not to love?

If you want a change from wearing neutral eye shadows, why not go for a pretty contrast to your eye colour instead? Our Green Opal shade never fails to look stunning with brown eyes whilst still being delicate enough for a
spring day at the office. As dusk falls go daring with our ultimate jewel shade of Pixie Sparkle, this aqua green gem will always leave a lasting impression on those who catch your eye!

Both green and brown eyes can easily wear purples and lilacs, try our Golden Lilac shade if you want a delicate shimmer, its golden undertones makes the most of your natural eye colour.

For all of you blue eyed babies shades such as Bronze Sparkle swept across the eyelids makes a great daytime look, then team it up with Moonlight in the evening to make those peepers pop!

We all know that Mum’s are special which is why we’ve put together this gorgeous Mother’s Day Collection to treat mum and make her look and feel pampered!

This stunning Mother’s Day Collection echoes the current catwalk trends of peaches and neutral shades to give an on trend Spring look!

We’ve included the following irresistible products: Cherry Blossom, Honey Peach, Miami Taupe and our super soft Angled Blush Brush

Cherry Blossom is a pale peach-pink blush with subtle shimmer, it’s delicate and lightweight formula allows perfectly for buildable coverage. Contour and define effortlessly with the Angled Blush Brush.

Honey Peach is a perfect eye shadow to use as a base and with Miami Taupe blended into the socket you can add depth to make the eyes pop.

We’ve then wrapped it all up in our Lily Lolo gift box for just £25! and what’s more if you purchase this gift collection you’ll receive a FREE Eye Blending brush! (which is £35.00 worth of value)

Make Mum smile and give the gift of gorgeous makeup this Mother’s Day – Sunday 18^th March!

We’ve all been there, trying a fresh, natural look to our makeup only to find when we catch a glance in the mirror that the overall finish is flat and tired looking. Worry not! With Lily Lolo mineral makeup we have many finishes to our products and if it’s a matte finish you’re looking for then we have just what you’re looking for as our range leaves skin with a natural, soft focus matte look.

For an understated daytime look, mineral blush shades such as Juicy Peach, Clementine or Flushed give a healthy,  see-through pop of colour to the apples of the cheeks. For evenings be a shade braver with Ooh La La or Blushing Rose to give extra definition, not forgetting of course that it’s our beautiful Angled Blush Brush that helps make these looks achievable.

Our mineral eye shadows are highly pigmented for a long lasting and durable finish. Create sheer or intense washes of colour by matching a matte finish with your overall look. Start with a lemon base such as Cream Soda, this perfect little all-rounder makes a great base for your other eye shadows or works great on its own for a clean wide-eyed look.

Daytime shades such as Soft Brown, Hush and Parma Violet suit all eye colours making the natural groomed look  so easily wearable.

As dusk falls eyes need to look defined and a smoky look can easily be achieved without the sparkle. Try our stunning range of grey’s and brown’s such as Mudpie (doubles up as fab brow definer) Or something like Mystery for a green/grey twist, try Greyzie Dazie for a smoky blue based grey, this also looks stunning blended into the socket line.

For the ultimate smoky eyed look you really can’t go wrong with shades such Sidewalk, a cool based grey, or Witchypoo which has a cult status following for its rich, blackest of black pigments, these also double up as a dramatic eye line when used wet with our Eye Definer or Eye Detail/Eye Smudge Brush.

Make your make-up Matte-R!

NEWSFLASH! We’re so excited here at LL HQ, our mineral foundations are back from SPF testing and have been rated SPF15. Now you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re helping to protect your skin whilst wearing our gorgeous foundation.

As many of you will be aware, not only is mineral make-up kind to skin and free from harsh ingredients it contains Titanium Dioxide which has natural sunscreen properties. The sunshine might not want to come out just yet but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be protecting our beautiful skin from the harmful UV rays!

Whilst it’s essential to wear a good quality sunscreen all year round, why not help protect your skin even further with the added benefits of looking flawless in Lily Lolo mineral foundation SPF15!

We all know that achieving the best results in your makeup begins with using the right tools. With our 7 Piece Luxury Brush Collection you can do just that! Covering your essential brush needs you can create the perfect look whatever the occasion.

This vegan friendly collection is enveloped in a luxury faux leather roll case for the ultimate pampering experience in makeup  application, whilst keeping makeup brushes clean, safe and perfect for travelling.

Give your skin a gorgeous New Year glow with one of our Silk mineral finishing powders.

These ultra-fine silky soft powders are weightless on the skin yet leave complexions with a dewy soft focus glow, they deflect the light and give an overall smoother finish whilst helping to give a long lasting finish to your mineral foundation.

A light dusting with our luxurious PowderBrush is all it takes!

After all of the sparkles of the party season January can feel a little dull in comparison, give your look a boost by using an instant eye brightening mineral eye shadow such as Orchid to the inner corners of the  eyes.

When used alongside a sweep of Parma Violet or Vanilla Shimmer you’ll see an illuminating effect making you instantly appear wide eyed and awake!

After the over indulgence of the Christmas holidays, January is the perfect time to put a new you into practice and what better way  to start then sorting out your make up bag and looking after your skin!

Our 5 easy steps to keep resolutions will set you in good stead for looking after your skin and boosting your confidence in 2012!

1 – Look after your skin! – Drinking plenty of water is the first step to healthy and hydrated skin.

Be sure to moisturise your skin before applying your mineral foundation and let it soak in fully before applying your foundation.

Mineral foundation is great for the skin as it allows skin to breathe, it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals and includes Zinc Oxide which is particularly good for its healing and antibacterial properties. We would always recommend removing your make up before going to sleep, whilst our make-up is extremely gentle, a good skincare routine is invaluable for giving you a good base to apply your make-up to.

2 – Now’s the time to try a Lily Lolo mineral foundation if you haven’t yet had the confidence to change from your usual  brand or liquid / cream foundation, You’ll be amazed!

Mineral foundation covers like nothing else, not only that, it doesn’t lay in a thick obvious way on top of your skin; it buffs in  beautifully to give the illusion of flawless, bare skin. When your skin requires less coverage, just apply less, you don’t need a heavy foundation AND a tinted moisturiser!

Our Ready, Set Glow kits (available in 3 shade options for just £11.99 +p&p) are a great way of finding your shade and come complete with our gorgeous Baby Buki Brush to give you a taste of just how super soft our brushes are!

3 – Try something new! – Don’t get stuck in rut with using the same shades day in, day out.  Our make-up comes in a wide variety of shades that are suitable for most skin-tones so be bold in 2012.

Mineral eye shadow is so versatile that it doesn’t have to just be in a solid colour across the eyelid, our shades blend together beautifully with our Blending Brush, shades such as, Parma Violet & Mystery, Gold Digger & Golden Lilac, Hush & Khaki Sparkle look stunning when used together, or why not try a daring flash of colour such as Pixie Sparkle, Plumberry
Hill or Deep Purple with the eye shadow used wet and applied with our Eye Definer or Eye Detail – Eye Smudge Brush.

Experiment with your blush shade, usually a fan of pinks or peach? Try combining the best of both worlds with shades such as Cherry Blossom and Clementine, these gorgeous Peachy pink shades suit most skin-tones and can be built in light layers to give varying intensity of colour. Or why not go a shade more daring? Add sculpted intensity with shades such as Rosebud and Blushing Rose.

4 – Keep lips moisturised whatever the weather! A good quality lip balm or gloss is essential for keeping lips soft, supple and nourished throughout the year.   Our natural lip glosses are rich in vitamin e and organic jojoba oil so perfect for keeping lips protected. Subtle shades such as Peachy Keen give an understated glamour with just a hint of shimmer whilst bolder shades such as Scandalips and Bitten Pink give a slick of colour with a rich, non-sticky formula lips feels moisturised all day long!

5 – Keep your make-up tools as clean and healthy as your skin! – It’s important to keep your makeup brushes clean as you don’t want them harbouring any nasty bacteria; ideally they should be washed once a week. We’d recommend washing our Synthetic Make-up Brushes using a mild shampoo (baby shampoo is great!) pour a little into the palm of your hand and gently swish the brush before rinsing it in warm water and allowing the brush to dry naturally on its side. Avoid getting any water into the ferrule as water can affect the glue bond that holds the bristles together.

Make 2012 your year! Lily Lolo x

The festive season is upon us and is the perfect time of year to indulge with your make-up! Rich, luxurious favourites such as Smoky Brown and Choc Fudge Cake Mineral Eye Shadow add depth and definition to winter eyes and adding a slick n’ a flick of Moonlight as an eyeliner with our Eye Definer Brush will really make the eye’s pop with feline glamour!

We all want to look healthy don’t we? A sweep of colour across the cheeks adds instant warmth to your face, try Rosy Apple and Rosebud for true indulgence whilst Candy Girl Mineral Blush will give you fresh faced rosy cheeks replicating a wintry outdoor walk.

Set your mineral foundation with our Flawless Silk or Translucent Silk finishing powder, a light dusting is all you need to leave a natural glow, your skin will look like it’s been kissed with softness!

Why not finish off your festive feeling with a coating of Bitten Pink Lip Gloss, this rich, ruby, pink gloss with irresistible chocolaty flavour keeps lips moisturised and nourished, keeping them kiss-ably soft for under the mistletoe!

For an all over festive glow that keeps skin soft at the same time, why not mix a little of your Star Dust powder in with your favourite body lotion and apply as usual? Paying particular attention to the decolletage, shoulders and legs will leave a subtle sheen to really show off your glow this party season!

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry festive season and thank you for your continued custom and feedback over 2011! Our offices are closed from 5.00pm on Friday 21.12.11 but we’ll be back bright and early on Tuesday 3^rd January to answer your questions and begin dispatching your latest orders.

Wishing you a fabulous 2012! Lily Lolo x

Step 1: Moisturise. Ensure skin is clean and well prepped with a generous application of moisturiser. Well prepared and cared for skin will ensure the utmost staying power from your mineral foundation.

Step 2: Wait! – Wait until your moisturiser has been fully absorbed before application to ensure you don’t end up with patches or an uneven finish where the loose foundation has clung to the moisture. If you have an oily complexion, you might find a light layer of Flawless Matte finishing powder applied onto the dry skin before foundation will keep your foundation in place for longer.

Step 3: Disperse some foundation. Use the lid of the jar to collect some loose powder as you tap the base of the mineral foundation jar. Only collect a little at a time – you don’t need to overload your brush, as this could result in a cakey looking complexion.

Step 4: Choose your brush. For the best results we recommend using the Kabuki brush (£14.49 lilylolo.co.uk). Swirl the brush around the lid of the jar (holding the mineral foundation) allowing the brush to collect the delicate mineral powder. If the brush looks over-loaded give it a tap to knock off the excess. For a heavier coverage we recommend applying with a flocked sponge.

Step 5: Buff away! Using circular motions, start from the centre of your face, and work outwards, covering in light even layers as you go. Mineral foundation is buildable so you can repeat the process as many times as you like until you reach your desired level of coverage. Be gentle but firm, and reload the brush after several swirls to ensure an even and flawless finish.

Step 6: Once completed you’re ready to apply the rest of your makeup. Mineral foundation will warm with the surface of the skin and relax to a flawless base. If you find you have any loose powder left sitting on the surface, a clean flocked sponge (£3.99 lilylolo.co.uk) is a great tool for removing the excess. Simply lightly sweep over the face and it will collect any surplus powder.

With Mother’s Day in the UK just around the corner, and assuming you’re like the girls in the Lily Lolo office, thoughts will be turning towards finding the perfect gift. Say it with flowers, say it with chocolates, or be a little different and say it with a little gift of mineral makeup – it’ll make saying thank you very special this year!

Our mums often ask us for advice – don’t yours? Introduce them to the world of mineral makeup – it will make such a difference to the condition of her skin and change her whole makeup routine.

For the savvy, younger generation, it’s easier to be clued up on the chemical nasties to avoid, and the importance of avoiding parabens. Sometimes the older generation just don’t understand all this modern language and technology.

Is your mum still using the same products she was 20 years ago? Makeup has come so far since then, and there’s just no reason to be afraid to make some changes!

We’ve recently introduced a new mineral makeup samples starter kit, which includes three miniature sized Lily Lolo mineral foundations (0.75g), a miniature Flawless Silk finishing powder (0.5g) and a Baby Buki brush (the perfect miniature version of the full sized Kabuki).

It really makes the perfect makeup gift for your mum this Mother’s Day. Go on; give the gift of flawless skin this year.

BUY NOW >

Introducing our newest mineral makeup kit! The new Ready, Set, Glow sample collection holds everything you need to get started with mineral makeup.

Learn the basics of applying mineral foundation by following the step by step guide included on the box. Your skin will relish in the natural minerals and you’ll be the envy of your friends with a flawless glow.

The three mineral foundations sit in the neat little gift box alongside the best-selling Flawless Silk finishing powder – our famous product which sets your makeup in place providing extra staying power for hours of wear.

Also included is the exclusive Baby Buki brush, a perfect miniature version of the synthetic Kabuki brush, which is the ideal applicator for loose mineral makeup.

Select a shade combination to suit your skin tone, the kits are available in light, light-medium, medium and tan.

Light: China Doll, Blondie, Barely Buff, Flawless Silk, Baby Buki brush

Light-medium: Warm Peach, In the Buff, Candy Cane, Flawless Silk, Baby Buki brush

Medium: Cookie, Warm Honey, Popcorn, Flawless Silk, Baby Buki brush

Tan: Coffee Bean, Saffron, Dusky, Flawless Silk, Baby Buki brush

The new mineral starter kit also makes a great gift for a friend or relative. Trying to select a foundation shade for someone else can be an absolute nightmare – especially if you’re buying a gift and don’t want to ask them about their skin tone. A mineral starter kit is the perfect opportunity to introduce a friend to the world of mineral makeup, by selecting three shades from their tonal category.  

At only £9.99 the kit is the best way to buy samples – as you also get the brush for application worth in the region of £7.99 on its own!

Suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians.

BUY NOW!  >

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We’ve been promising it for a few weeks, so we’re delighted to announce that our favourite mineral eyeshadow trio kit Eye Spy with My Gorgeous Eye is back in stock in a beautiful new design.

Eye Spy with My Gorgeous Eye retails at only £14.49, making the ideal gift for yourself or that someone special. It also saves on the combined retail prices of buying the shades separately, plus you get a great box to keep them in.

The trio, available at www.lilylolo.co.uk, is completely customisable, allowing the buyer to select their three shades from the full eyeshadow collection (as available at the time of purchase).

You can tailor the collection to yours or your friends own tastes. Some of our favourites include a smoky eyes collection (holding Witchypoo, Gunmetal and Angelic) and a matte natural browns collection, which is perfect for every day wear (Cream Soda, Soft Brown and Mudpie). Another fabulous chic colour trio includes Vanilla Shimmer, Miami Taupe and Moonlight – which are some of our top selling eyeshadow shades; they look simply stunning side by side.

The new design updates to a lovely deep smoky blue box with contrasting bright pink detailing – it’s certainly eye catching and will look great on any dressing table.

To buy, simply locate the kits and gifts tab on http://www.lilylolo.co.uk/ and click to view the Eye Spy gift box. You will see three drop down options, allowing you to select your shades (or select 3 of one shade if you really want to).

Standard delivery, within the UK is only £1.99 (calculated on weight and based on this box only in the purchase) which is incredibly competitive, and you can always upgrade to Next Day delivery if you’ve left buying a gift a little late.

Enjoy your new shades

LL x

Help with the BUAVs latest petition to stop animal testing:

On 11th March 2009, all animal testing of cosmetics in the EU stopped thanks largely to two decades of campaigning by the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE).

But there is a catch.

A ‘marketing’ ban that would also prevent the sale of new cruelly tested cosmetics in the EU is now in jeopardy.

This marketing ban allows three types of animal tests to be carried out in non-EU countries for cosmetics sold in Europe until March 2013. The reason is to allow non-animal tests (‘alternatives’) to be developed and approved.

Now some in the cosmetics industry want to delay the March 2013 deadline even longer. If they get their way it could mean 10 more years during which thousands of rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats could be injected, gassed or force-fed and killed worldwide for cosmetics products sold in the EU.

The ECEAE is fighting to ensure this does not happen. And we need your help. Sign the petition now and say NO to cruel cosmetics in Europe!

Thanks for your support

LL x

Last week we blogged about pink blushers and talked about how to choose a great blush for your skin tone as well as the best way to apply your mineral blusher.

Your lip shade is closely linked to blush as it’s important to ensure that the undertones of your cheeks and lips are well matched.

Pink flushed cheeks look their best alongside pink toned lipsticks and lip glosses. The undertones will balance which gives the complexion colour harmony.

Mixing and matching different shades may result in an unnatural appearance where your facial features look out of balance – the idea of makeup is to enhance your true natural beauty, through clever use of colour, tone and shading.

Based on this, often the most flattering shade of lip colour is pink, or peachy pinks and pinky nudes. As we keep saying, ensure you match the undertone of the gloss, tint or lipstick to the undertone of your blush shade.  For peachy blush choose a gloss shade with a peachy / peachy nude and pale browns. Match pinks with pinks (of varying intensity). Bronzers look great with deeper shades of pink and brown.

Shades with a subtle shimmer or sparkle are excellent for creating the illusion of fuller or plumper lips. Certainly one to bear in mind for our more mature customers if you feel like your lips are beginning to lose a bit of their natural fullness.

For added plumping effect you might even like to add a further shimmer to the very centre of the lips and mix this in with your natural gloss or lipstick. Our Star Dust shimmer powder is perfect for this (only £1.29 for a sample or £12.49 for the large size).

With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, we’re loving the pink Lily Lolo blushers this week.  Pinks are perfect for achieving a gorgeous flirty girly look, and give the cheeks a natural flushed and healthy finish.

There are just a few rules to adhere to when choosing and applying your pink blusher.

Generally, our expert guidelines are to select a pink blush just one shade deeper than your natural flush, this will really enhance your natural beauty.

For the daytime select a matte blush shade to subtly enhance the appearance of a natural flush in the cheeks; shades like Clementine and Ooh La La are perfect for daytime.

For an evening try introducing a shimmer to the colour base. Rosebud blush is a gorgeous deep pink with a shimmery finish and is one of our all-time very best sellers.

A sparkly pale shade is perfect for a highlight or is a lovely shade for paler skin tones.

Pink blushers really suit cool ‘English rose’ type skin tones, as they have the same bluey undertones. To determine your undertones have a look at the colours of the veins in your wrists. If they appear blue you’re more than likely to have cooler undertones. Green veins mean you’re more than likely to have warmer undertones. If you’re really not sure, consider yourself in the neutral category (and lucky in that most shades will suit you).

If you fall into the warmer skin tone category, you might find trying a blush shade with peachy tones to it suits you really well (don’t be put off trying the pinks as well though they can look equally as great). Some of our top selling peachy blush shades include Clementine, Cherry Blossom and Juicy Peach.

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day; one of our favourite days of the year, we’re offering a fantastic 10% off all Lily Lolo purchases for today only.

We’re passing on our love to you to ensure you look fabulous on Valentine’s Day. (Or simply hit forward to make your gift suggestions to that certain someone!).

Offers like this don’t come along every day; the discount applies to the full collection and there’s no minimum spend (we’re feeling very generous!).

Take advantage and shop the collection now > 

To qualify for the discount place your order before midnight GMT, and enter the special code LOVE10 at the checkout.

Fill your online basket with Lily Lolo goodies – mineral foundation, finishing powder and luxurious makeup brushes to name just a few. Once you’ve finished shopping enter the code and the discount will be subtracted from your subtotal.  

(This is a retail offer only).

With Valentine’s Day sneaking up on us, it’s time to get those lips silky soft, smooth and kissable!

All it takes is some TLC, with natural protection and we promise that they’ll be looking just perfect in time for the big day on 14^th Feb.

Firstly, ensure your lips have enough protection when out and about in the cold. Choose a natural gloss without astringent chemicals (eucalyptus and camphor are often used in highstreet formulas but can actually be really dehydrating on the skin) for the utmost moisture and protection.

Try your very hardest not to lick your lips during winter, this is a fast track route to chapped lips, and it’s the last thing you need before a big Valentine date. 

Lily Lolo natural lip gloss is the perfect choice, the natural formula is incredibly moisturising, and the natural wax base creates exceptional protection from the winter elements. Smooth and glossy on the lips (not sticky or gloopy) the gloss is enriched with the natural aroma of berries and smells simply divine.

Jojoba extracts have long been used in the skincare industry; the Jojoba oil is derived from the plant which naturally occurs in the desert and is excellent to protect against water and air. The oil nourishes several layers of the skin, allowing moisture to be retained as well as protecting against surface damage.

Other waxes which act as skin softeners and emollients are taken from naturally occurring sources such as plant leaves and berries; our natural creations include raw ingredients which truly perform when used in skincare.  

The Lily Lolo lip gloss is perfect for everyone, also suitable for vegetarians (contains beeswax so not for vegans) and costs a fantastic £6.99.

Mineral foundation is perfect for its ability to be applied in layers in order for you to achieve your own perfect level of coverage, which really varies from one person to the next.

For stubborn blemishes or imperfections you’ll find our mineral concealer gives a heavier coverage. (Some people even like to apply it as foundation). Our mineral concealer has different ingredients to the foundation which makes the loose powder perform differently on the skin.  Key ingredient kaolin is a clay based mineral which creates a denser powder to apply to sit on the skin. This is what makes the powder so good for concealing any blemishes.

China Doll mineral foundation is one of our very lightest shades – the second lightest in the range in fact. Slotting neatly between our all time best-selling shades Porcelain and Blondie, China Doll is the perfect shade to try for the fairest of them all.

You’ll probably find that our Blondie concealer will be the closest match for you, but if you’re looking for a skin toned concealer consider a sample of Barely Beige alongside it.

If you have any grey circles or purple undertones under the eyes you might find a sample of Peepo useful, as the yellow of this concealer counteracts the purple undertones. Likewise, for pinky spots or blemishes a sample of Blush Away colour correcting concealer is great for the same reason.

China Doll mineral foundation is the latest addition to the Lily Lolo foundation collection, which now boasts an impressive scale of 18 base shades.

Launching at the perfect time of year for a pale foundation shade, China Doll joins the Lily Lolo collection as a between shade of Porcelain and Blondie.

During the cooler months of winter we’re all usually paler. Professional makeup artists advise using a shade lighter at this time of year to ensure foundation doesn’t appear orange. (If you’re applying your foundation and think you look even the slightest bit orange you really need to try a shade lighter).

China Doll will be perfect for someone who is used to wearing Blondie in the summer months, or for someone who prefers to mix shades of Porcelain and Blondie together.

Likewise for a wearer of Porcelain in winter, China Doll might be the perfect shade to introduce as we head towards the warmer months of summer. The shade was added to our wish list after customer suggestions and as with previous shade launches we suggest it’ll quickly become a top seller.

China Doll is a neutral shade which means it will suit most skin tones with its balanced undertones

Weight: 10g in a 40ml sifter jar.

Ingredients: Mica, Zinc Oxide, Titanium, Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499.

Our customer services team love to help you choose your mineral foundation shade – but just before you pick up the phone try following our step by step guide to help you make the decision on your own. After all, it can be very difficult recommending a shade for you when we can’t actually see you.

Step 1

Time to determine the undertone of your natural skin tone. Our mineral foundations are suitable for all skin tones, and are available with either warm, cool or neutral undertones. Baffled? Don’t worry, we’ll explain.

Warm undertones are generalised by a skin tone with a more yellowy tone to it. It’s not an obvious yellow, but the tones are warmer. So for example if you have an olive complexion or have an Asian complexion you’re likely to have the warm undertones we’ve described.

Cool undertones can be generalised by a more pinky tint within the skin. You’re more likely to have the ‘English Rose’ type complexion.

If you’re not sure and think you sit in-between the two try neutral foundation shades – some of these are our top sellers, as they suit most skin tones irrelevant of the subtle undertone.

Step 2

Check against the veins in your wrists – it might sound funny, but in people with warmer skin tones the veins in the wrists show more green, and in people with cooler skin tones the veins show as more blue in colour.

Step 3

Select your category. Our foundations are split into the following categories – pale (for the very palest of them all our Porcelain has been described as one of the palest foundations available on the cosmetics market). Light – for the fairly pale group, you’ll find some of our best sellers like Blondie and Barely Buff in this category. Light –medium – you’re likely to be naturally quite light skinned, but tan easily. Medium – you’re likely to tan easily and hold the colour for most of the year, or have an olive or Asian complexion. And finally, our tan category caters for the deeper skin tones, up to our richest shades of Cinnamon and Hot Chocolate.

Step 4

Sample! Our samples are inexpensive and are there to make your buying decision easier. We always recommend trying a minimum of three samples – always try to select a shade lighter and darker than the one you think you might be.

Good luck!

We’re often telling you how much professional makeup artists love our finishing powders. We have a selection of makeup artists which we work with which we know love the powders and use them on their shoots in TV, film and magazines.

Nadira V Persaud is based in London and works with celebrity clients and high profile publications from around the world.

When she wasn’t jet setting to another glamorous location we had chance to catch up with her to see what she’d been up to with her favourite Lily Lolo products recently.

Turns out, only yesterday (11/01/11) she was working on Marie Claire’s latest magazine shoot with the fashion team on an upcoming ‘real’ woman feature. Check out these fabulous behind the scenes shots.

For the look Nadira used Lily Lolo mineral foundation in Popcorn (one of our lovely light-medium foundations with soft, warm and yellowy undertones) to create a fantastic base for the shoot.

She then finishes the look by applying Flawless Silk finishing powder (this time with a flocked sponge to give a heavier coverage and effect for the shoot).

From the photos you’ll be able to see the finish of the Flawless Silk on the model’s skin. It provides that gorgeously dewy and glamorous finish on the skin that catches the light of the camera making her skin look so young and healthy.

Looking forward to seeing the look in print in the coming months.

You can achieve the rest of the look with Witchypoo eyeshadow (apply wet with the eyeliner brush) to draw a fabulous thick line as close to the lashes as possible – double up the layer application in order to achieve the super thick line. A pinky blush like Ooh La La is perfect for the rosy cheeks and match with lipgloss or an application of a blush mixed with your favourite Lily Lolo lipgloss for a strong colour vibrancy.

Thanks to Nadira and Marie Claire magazine

http://www.nadiramakeup.com/

Makeup professionals and artists for photoshoots, film and TV use finishing powder as one of their staple makeup kit items. They’ll rarely attend a shoot without a fixing powder for one very good reason- it works!

The bright lights of a photoshoot, and long days on set really test the strength and staying power of a makeup brand. Finishing powder is often known as setting powder in the beauty industry as it is used as the final layer of powder. Often translucent or semi-translucent in colour it leaves the skin with a subtle gleam whilst helping keep the makeup base, bronzers and blushers in place.

For years now, we’ve been demanding our makeup performs to a professional standard. We want products to be formulated so that we can rely on them all day long, and we want them to have strong, quality and natural colour pigments.

Many people don’t realise that finishing powder is the power tool of the makeup artist. Finish with a subtle shimmering powder with a silk effect for added staying power and added natural glow. Or, use a matte finish powder to keep shine under control throughout the day. (A loose powder compact includes a flocked sponge for additional touch ups throughout the day if you have oily skin).

Ever spotted makeup artists sweeping makeup brushes over the model’s face on videos and photos of photoshoots? – It’s more than likely that they’re removing excess shine caused by the heat of studio lights with a translucent matte powder.

For a subtle glow to your skin select a Lily Lolo finishing powder in a silk effect to set your makeup in place. We have the semi-translucent shade Flawless Silk which is one of our all time best sellers and even won the Green Beauty Bible award for performance, and Translucent Silk which appears white in the pot (applies completely translucent), for only £12.49.

To control excess oil on your skin, shine or to simply ensure your skin has an ultra matte finish choose Flawless Matte powder (also £12.49). The Super Powder brush is the perfect brush applicator for your finishing powder, you’ll find it here.

The New Year is upon us and with it the usual empty promises of changing our lives for the better. For once why not try taking on an easy resolution for the New Year? Simply pledge to try and spend some extra time looking after YOU!

If you’re yet to try mineral makeup and keep hearing friends and colleagues going on about it the New Year is a great time to give it a go. It’s the perfect time of year to give your skin a little treat and you’ll be amazed at the difference that a quality mineral foundation makes to the finish of your complexion.

We can understand why you might be a little apprehensive – minerals have a reputation of being an expensive product. Buy trust us you’ll love Lily Lolo and we’re not expensive! We’re absolutely committed to ensuring the makeup remains some of the purest and most competitively priced available on the market. With a dedicated team that’s passionate about quality and performance (yes of course we all wear it too) we’re ensuring products perform to a professional standard that could only ever delight our fabulous loyal customers.

The true beauty of mineral foundation lies in the quality of the raw ingredients. We source our minerals from the finest quality mineral mines and these are gently ground down and merged together with natural colour pigments to create the finished product. We steer clear of fragrances and preservatives, which put basically means that your silky soft makeup won’t have any strange ‘cosmetic-y’ smell or any whiffs of alcohol like substance which are used to preserve many liquid foundations (chemicals which can cause absolute havoc for your skin).

Our mineral foundations cost £12.49 (samples only £1.29) which is exceptional value if you have the time to sit and compare to some of the other brands which are available. For a lower price, with a Lily Lolo mineral foundation you’ll also receive much more product in the jar than with other brands (to check us out just read the fill weights which all brands legally must list on each of their products).

Need any other reasons to pick up an exceptionally priced sample? We’re a friendly bunch over at LL HQ and we’re always up for a natter about makeup on the phone. For and help and advice you’ll find our details on the contact us page.

Happy shopping!