hello zuneta

We love new beauty brands, especially those which are hand picked by beauty gurus such as Zu, from online beauty boutique Zuneta. Luckily Zu put down her lippie to share her top tips with us, so listen carefully, start shipping them in, and wait for the ooodles of compliments.

How did Zuneta start?
I started my career at L'Oreal and was lucky enough to work across a number of exciting brands in London, Paris and finally New York. It was whilst I was in New York that I began to realise how greatly the internet was overlooked by all the big companies. I felt there was a real opportunity for selling good quality brands combined with offering honest advice, which can be hard to get in a department store! I chose to launch Zuneta in the UK as I tend to call London home, although my friends see me more as a wandering nomad! We deliver to any country, however, and a large percentage of our business is actually outside the UK now - including Hong Kong.

Which particular products would you recommend for our humid Hong Kong climate?
I would lean towards brands that have been developed in similar climates, so the first brand I'd look at is Korres. I regularly get asked what sort of foundation women should be wearing in a hot climate as it is all too easy for the product to slide off, or make the face look shiny. I would definitely recommend the Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturiser as, not only does it have SPF30, it is very light and actually feels very refreshing when you apply it. I was nervous when I first tried it as high SPF usually means a product is very creamy, but that's not the case with Korres. Another miracle product is the Hei Poa monoi oil. I have big hair and always struggle with frizz in humid climates. On a recent holiday I shared my monoi oil with my friends and there was almost a riot as all the girls fought for the bottle after our showers each day!

What are your top 5 make up bag must haves?
This is an easy question for me....I feel naked unless I have my eyes done up. And not just because I specialised in strategy and product development for Eye at L'Oreal! A good eyeshadow and eyeliner is crucial for me. As I get older, tinted moisturisers are also becoming a key feature of my regime. I am also a big blush fan and am quite experimental with my shades. So, my top 5 would be:
Rouge Bunny Rouge When Birds are singing....Eyeshadow in Volcano Fairy Wren
Edward Bess Eyeliner in Deep Black
BECCA Creme Blush in Hyacinth
Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturiser
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Best product on Zuneta which you simply cannot live without?
This is a very hard question as I am very enthusiastic about a few products on Zuneta, but if I absolutely had to pick one I'd go with the fabulous moisturiser by Found called ISTR. Contrary to popular belief, I enjoy a very simple skincare routine and I feel like this moisturiser was literally made for me. It's very light, but very effective and is guaranteed to keep my skin looking clear and fresh. I absolutely love it.

If you had space in your evening clutch bag for one item what would it be?
Lippie. At the moment I'm loving Rouge Bunny Rouge's Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick in Dissolved in Dreams. It's a lovely, sheer corally red. But, as the autumn sets in it may be replaced with Hourglass Adorn lipstick in Eternal.

How do you go from office/day make up to evening make up in three easy steps?
I don't wear a lot of make-up during the day - just my vase make-up and a taupe shadow on the eyes with some eyeliner. To make this into an evening look I would:
1) layer on the eyeshadow so the effect is stronger
2) Apply a little highlighting liquid to my temples, cheek bones, bridge of the nose and bow of the lip to instantly refresh my look
3) Apply my lippie!

What is your most exciting new product on Zuneta?
The Edward Bess foundation, which is launching very soon, is just amazing. I was nervous when I saw that it was a compact but the texture and finish on the face is really something special. Plus it's a primer, foundation & powder in one so cuts down your 'getting ready' time!

Any fashion items for the autumn/winter season which you are coveting?
Always! I am always coveting very high heeled shoes, but never purchase them as I am already very tall without them. But I'll be looking to purchase a cape this autumn, and some open toed wedges. I'm also rather taken with a Bottega Venetta leather dress.

Which beauty magazines/blogs/sites do you read to keep an eye on the industry?
I am an avid reader of blogs and regularly read too many to list. But my favourites are the London Make-up Girl, The Gloss Goss, Visionary Beauty and the British Beauty Blogger. I am not very loyal when it comes to fashion blogs and am always reading new ones. But I do like lifestyle blogs very much, that combine a bit of beauty, a bit of fashion and a bit of lifestyle!