If you're passionate about skincare and browse beauty boutiques more than any other type of shop then you're likely to get along with the self-confessed make-up maven that is Anna Gardner, editor of Vivianna Does Makeup.With an enthusiasm for finding the best of the best in beauty, Anna delivers a daily dose of refreshingly honest reviews, musings and make-up tutorials that have gained the young writer, 23, an impressive following with more than 780,000 views of a month.Here at HELLO! Online, we talk to the blossoming blogger about all things beauty and take a sneak peek inside her make-up bag…
What have been your Fashion Week essentials for 2013?"London Fashion Week this year was all about the big bold lip. Everyone was puckering up their pouts, so I kept the Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Muse handy for a pop of neon rouge. A pointy-toed heel never goes amiss in the fashion department either - so chic." Your blog name is Vivianna Does Makeup but you seem to also be completely inspired by skincare. Do you have any current saviours that have transformed your skin?"A beauty journalist once said to me that true beauty nuts go crazier over skincare than they do makeup, and it's so true! Once you have a good base, make-up comes secondary to enhance what you naturally have. I'm a bit of a sucker for the 'no make-up, make-up' look, so I love going lighter with cosmetics.""I've found that using cleansing balms like Emma Hardie's Natural Lift helps to rid your face of the daytime grime while injecting hydration. It's smoothed out my skin's texture and massaging it in can sometimes be the best part of my day." You've just come back from Paris – Are there any French beauty tips you've picked up from over the channel?"If there's one thing the French girls love it's skincare. The stuff is piled high up to the rafters in their Pharmacies which can be found on almost every road - you can't miss the big green lit-up crosses. I topped up my Bioderma and La Roche Posay stashes while I was there, it had to be done." What do you love about the beauty blogging community?"As cliché as it sounds, the beauty blogging community has become a bit of a second family. Fellow bloggers have become some of my closest friends and we all give each other a good slap on the back when someone's done good - they're a fantastic bunch."And, lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring bloggers?"Just go for it! If you feel you've got something new to add into the beauty mix or otherwise then put fingertips to keyboard and blog away."
Inside Anna's make-up bag... BaseNothing gives the complexion a glow quite like Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser. Smoothing this all over the face paired with just a dab of Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer under the eyes gives just the right amount of coverage for everyday wear.CheeksFor a pinch of warmth to the cheeks I dust on the dusky brown Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder and blend in a little of By Terry’s newest release, Hydraluronic Blush on my apples. EyesA quick curl and coat of my lashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara gives a feminine flutter that doesn’t budge. I like to keep my eye makeup simple, so just layer of Estée Lauder Pure Colour Stay-On Shadow Paint in Pink Zinc is perfect for giving my lids a subtle sheen. LipsFor natural looking lip days I apply a hefty amount of By Terry’s Baume de Rose to make sure they stay hydrated all day long. But, when the lip colour lover in me returns I always thrown Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in #401 in my bag for a classic red pout.Report: Christine Humphrey