Getting your bikini body // Tips and Advice

Now that we've successfully kitted you out in the gym wardrobe it's time to crank things up a notch. Yes we are talking about hardcore work-outs, eating clean and most importantly keeping focused and motivated with our fitness aims. Here's our top tips to bag that bikini body you've always dreamed off...

 Eat Clean  

It may sound simple and obvious but believe me it is where so many people go wrong. Eating clean is a massive part of getting that to-die-for body and unfortunately a diet fueled on junk food and takeouts really isn't going to help you reach that. What your putting into your body shows on the outside and so combining healthy eating with working out is the only way you are truly going to get those washboard abs and a perk booty. Remember - eating healthy is a lifestyle change not a diet, so instead of eating chips make sweet potato wedges in the oven. It's about swapping what we already eat for healthier alternatives. Eating clean doesn't have to be boring so for some fun and tasty healthy eating ideas follow #thebodycoach on instagram. 

Meal Prep

You know how it is, you've got work, not took any lunch with you so you just nip in the local supermarket and buy anything that takes your fancy. OR your super busy, haven't got time to make anything so you snack on crisps, chocolate etc. Not only does this end up being super expensive if you are buying food on the go all day everyday but it also makes it so easy to fall into the trap of eating junk because your in a supermarket full of endless choices that may tempt your cravings. To end this - meal prep. Take an hour out of your Sunday evening and cook your food for the week - this way there really isn't any excuses on what your eating! 

Take progress pictures

We all have those days/weeks where we get down and de-motivated. We're hitting the gym hard, eating healthy but still feeling like we are seeing little results. Remember a six pack doesn't appear over night and nor does success so keep your head high, remain positive and remember good things take time. Take a picture in your bikini at the beginning of each week, this way you can start to compare pictures and really start seeing the little changes happening. Eventually you will be able to look back at that week 1 picture and be really happy with how far you have come!

Drink plenty of water 

Snacking can be quite an issue for some people but how many of those occasions are you actually hungry? Confusing hunger with thirst is such a common mistake that so many of us make so it really is important to make sure your are drinking regularly. On average a female is suppose to drink eight 200ml glasses of water a day - this doesn't have to be just water but try not to drink fizzy or sugary drinks. 

Don't buy it, won't eat it. 

I'm a firm believer of the "if you haven't got it, you can't have it" motto and so if chocolate and a bag of crisps before bed is your weakness - don't buy it. It really is that simple. If you cupboards aren't stocked with it, the temptation of having it isn't there. Stock your cupboards up with healthier alternatives and an apple will soon be your new weakness!

Finally - don't make excuses.   

Oh so often I always here the old " I don't have time" but often it's just an excuse for "I can't be bothered" or "I am tired". I always say to people well what do you do after work that makes you so busy - and most often it's "make dinner, watch television and chill" - well if you can watch tele then you can go to the gym or workout at home. I know that there are genuinely people that are super busy all the time but training doesn't have to be hour sessions each time. Half an hour, even twenty minutes will be beneficial! So instead of finishing work and heading home for the sofa, take your gym kit with you and just get in the gym straight away - that way it's over and done with and sitting down after will feel so much more rewarding! 

Hope these little tips have gave you a bit of guidance in helping you reach your bikini body - always remember to take a treat day too! Our new active range is available now on - www.prettypinkprincess.co.uk !

Golden Globes 2015 - Best Dressed

We all know that at any major celebrity event the real talk of the evening comes from who wore what on the fashion runway itself - the red carpet. From glitz and glam, to sleek tailoring, playing it safe to taking a risky pay off, here are our real winners of the evening that stole our best dressed vote.

 

Who stole the best dressed award for you?

Pretty Pink Princess Active wear - New year New you!

The Christmas period and eating endless amounts of festive goodies without feeling guilty is well and truly over (major sob!) however all is not lost... January is all about a new year, new you and so where better to start than cranking up your fitness regime, eating healthy and getting back in the gym. 

We ourselves know that hitting the gym can be somewhat of a chore and finding the motivation to drag ourselves there can sometimes be the most challenging part. To help kick off that "feel good factor" there's no better way to do so than giving your gym wardrobe a well needed overhaul and we've got it covered for you! Yes, look no further as we've gone and designed our very own active range to allow you to revamp your gym wardrobe in true princess style. With a unique scrunch bum design to give you that extra firm look there is no doubt you will be the hottest babe standing in the gym. 

Our Active wear currently comes in a top and bottom set for £49.99 and is available in two colours - Pretty Play Pink or Pretty Play Black. The set is customized to you - so if barring all in a crop top isn't for you just yet, a longer top option is also available. 

New years eve make-up inspiration

Although New years eve is still over a week away, planning our make-up is never too early for the final celebrations of the year. Whether it's a classic red lip, a smokey eye or something more gold and glitz you want to rock, we've picked out an arrange of super glamorous make-up looks in hope that you can grab some inspiration and get creative! So grab your make-up brushes at the ready and let the practicing commence ladies.

Classic red lip

Instagram - boobista

Instagram - Jaclynhill

Smokey eye

Instagram - Vanitymakeup

Elegant 

Instagram -vanitymakeup

Glamorous 

Instagram -carlibel

Instagram - boobista

Neutral   

Instagram - makeupbymario

Instagram- soniaxfyza

Have a lovely Christmas! 

Stocking filler ideas || For her

With Christmas looming around the corner (15 days!) so is finalising our Christmas shopping. Gift ideas are not always straightforward when you have a mix of people to buy for and of course, there is always that one person that has absolutely everything - so we thought we would give you a help in hand by sharing a few reasonably priced stocking filler ideas.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette - $40.00 - Link here!

If you are shopping for a make-up lover you just need to purchase this palette! I know it swerves more towards a present than stocking filler but I just had to include it because of its sheer amazing-ness!

MAC lipstick -£15.50 - Link here! 

Again if they love make-up you can not go wrong with a MAC lipstick - it honestly is every girls must have in their make-up bag! If you are unsure for colours just talk to one of the girls and explain what sorts of colours they usually wear - they will sort you out!

Bodyshop body butter in Honeymania - £13.00 - Link here! 

You can never go wrong with smellies - especially Bodyshop body butters. A personal favourite of mine is in the scent honeymania - of course there are plenty of others to choose from to satisfy your personal taste but this one really is something else!

Liz Earle Cleanse and polish - £13.25 - Link here!

If they are into their skin care regime then this product will be a definite winner - the wholly grail of cleansers!

 Zara Perfume - £12.99 - Link here!

If you are looking for a small bottle of perfume at a reasonable price then I really recommend that you stop by Zara and have a whiff of their scents. They have a really good selection, smell amazing and are such good value for the price.

Pretty Passion Lingerie - Pretty Pink Princess - £21.99 - Link here! 

Girls love pretty lingerie - and Pretty Pink Princess is guaranteed to have an item to suit your personal taste. If you are looking for something sexy and sophisticated - pretty passion is a definite winner. 

Pug socks - River Island - £3 - Link here! 

I know socks are such a typical stocking filler but you can't deny they are something that will be used. These pug socks from River Island are just adorable!

Cocktail making book - River Island - £9.99 - Link here! 

Books are another great stocking filler idea, whether it's a cook book, an autobiography or just a book your loved one may have asked for.

Diary - Paper chase - £10.00 - Link here! 

For someone who is a busy bee, a diary is always a good essential to stick in their stocking! 

Hope this has given you some ideas! 

Meet our Fashion Illustrator - Matt Skingsley

This week we thought we would introduce you to the newest addition of the Pretty Pink Princess team, our very own fashion illustrator Matt Skingsley. Matt is a freelance illustrator and creative artist based in London who posses a diverse and varied style in his work whilst being super creative and amazingly talented at what he does.

His work is simply stunning and we hope you will love it as much as we do!!

Make sure you follow Matt across social media -

Instagram - mattskings

Twitter -@artbyskings

Facebook - artbyskings

Also take a look at his website www.artbyskings.com

Interview with Celebrity Make-up artist Olivia Naylor

This week I was privileged enough to interview Celebrity and Pretty Pink Princess make-up artist Olivia Naylor. Olivia has been a makeup artist to the starts for half a decade now having worked with the likes of Michelle Keegan, Helen Flanagan, Brooke Vincent  and Sophie Kasaei. From flawlessly sculpted contours to her iconic highlighted looks there is no doubt about it that Olivia posses some serious talent when it comes to beautifying her clients. I wanted to dig deep and find out some top tips and tricks in hope that someday we ourselves may be able to master that flawless base and sharp tidy brow. 

Hi Olivia! Growing up we all have dreams and aspirations. Was being a make-up artist always your ultimate goal?

Being a makeup artist has been my dream since as long as I can remember. There was times I tried to go along other paths for silly reasons such as doing a law degree but I've always come back to this!

 How did you start your make-up carer? 

I set myself goals. This is something I do all the time and have done all my life. Every time I achieve that goal I set myself another and work towards that. I started working on makeup counters and building up my experience and skill by teaching myself everything I know and learning off other artists and YouTube.

 Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring make-up artists? 

The best advice I could give someone wanting a career in makeup is be passionate and driven. Work hard on bettering yourself everyday and make sure you find your own style and work with that rather than trying to recreate other people's. A true makeup artist is an artist. It's not just about applying makeup for a night out, 90% of the female population can do that, its about truly understanding makeup and faces and images and having your own style and expression with that. 

What is most rewarding and most challenging about your job?

Making people feel good is the rewarding part. I love looking at people's faces when they look in the mirror after I've done their makeup is a great feeling. In terms of challenging for me would be lack of time. I have a million and one ideas and only 24 hours a day !  

 Your recent work with Michelle Keegan was absolutely flawless and has been the talk of the town throughout social media. How did you go about choosing this look for her?

Michelle is so beautiful it was no hardship. Her features are so gorgeous any heavy makeup would be too much for her. Her skin is so tanned and has that beautiful Latino look about her I just kept it all very neutral and soft and flattering with strong but blended cheekbones and she loves a good contour like the rest of us. I was so thrilled how much everyone liked it!

We all worry about that dreaded flashback look in photos on a night out. What foundation would you recommend to avoid this?

If a foundation is too thick and has spf in then it can cause your face to look white. Also 90% of girls make the tragic mistake of tanning their bodies with false tan and then leaving their face white and applying a foundation 4 shades darker and expect it to balance. 

When I go out I ALWAYS put Rimmel Instant Matte tan on my face on top of a moisturizer or primer. This stops the white face issue... Foundation wise I like face and body by mac and luminous silk by Giorgio Armani. Before purchasing go to the counters and check these are right for your skin. If not ask what alternatives there are that aren't too heavy or have spf in them.  

 Following on from this do you have any secrets to achieving that “flawless” base?

1. Know your skin!! Skin care is THE most important part of your makeup base. Make sure your skincare is tailor made to fit your skin. 

2. Primer is optional. I personally don't often use primers unless people have texture problems or particularly oily skin. I believe that the correct skin care foundation and application of makeup will last with or without a primer. 

3. Correct foundation for your skin in terms of coverage, finish etc 

4. Correct amount of product and correct application of products and brushes are all essential. A lesson with a skilled artist will be valuable for so many people on this.

 Lots of girls struggle to achieve that perfect brow. Do you have any tips and must have products that you would recommend to achieve this?

Brows are a tricky one for so many people. It's pretty much impossible to explain how to do a brow in words. There are SO many tutorials out there that are amazing and probably the best way for you to learn. Mac have some great pencils and eyeshadows to help you create a good brow. A good 266 brush from mac is essential and the girls on the mac counters will be more than happy to show you how to use them.

 What are some of your favourite products in your make-up kit?

Face and Body Foundation by mac.

 My brushes.

Mineralise skin finishes by Mac. 

My Anastasia Beverly Hills collection of contour and highlight powders and eye shadows.

What is your favourite make-up brush and why?

That's completely impossible to say ha - MAC will probably always be my fave brand as I worked for them. But the more I research and try other brands the more I'm impressed with my findings. I think it's important to understand that brushes can do whatever you want them to. What I might use for an eyeshadow application. You might use for concealer. Or contouring. Or highlighting. Or lipstick application. There is no right or wrong with brushes and you can be as creative with them as you want to. 

   And finally, what make-up trends should we be rocking for winter 14/15?

Winter for me is all about berry colours for lips and cheeks. Smudgy liner as apposed to structured flicks I think is important. All dark smokey eyes as apposed to light on the inside dark on the outside.

Make sure you follow Olivia on social media -
Instagram - Olivanaylormua
Twitter - olivianaylormua

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