A Quick Smokey Eye

I had decided to give myself the day off today. I've been working in the evenings and weekends on wedding trials as well as my blog everyday and was feeling a bit make up'd out. But after a little retail therapy this morning where I brought two gorgeous eye shadow palettes by Lancome & some pressed mineral foundation by Bare Minerals I was feeling better and more inspired.

Amazing what a bit of shopping can do for you hey?!

The Lancome eye shadows are both Hypnose Drama palettes. One is different shades of sparkley blue (Bain De Minuit) and the other is five smokey, sparkley greys & blacks with a pretty pink thrown in too (Mon Smokey).

Using mainly the black/ grey palette I used the shades dry. Taking the pink all over the eye, I blended the darker shades over the top, lining the black around my eyes with the sparkly black on the other corners. To lift the look I finished my washing a bit of the midnight, sparkly blue from the other palette over the lids and underneath as this added just a little warmth to the grey.

I paired the eyes with pink cheeks and pink glossy lips. I think tomorrow I'll use the same palettes and create more of a dramatic look by using a wet brush as today I used dry brushes as I wanted quite a soft look.

What do you think?

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Yummy Plummy Eyes

Today I fancied wearing my Illamasqua Havoc eyeliner and creating a plummy look.

These colours are great with brown, hazel and green eyes. It's a nice alternative to black and really brings out the green in your eyes.

I have done a a clean and simple look with this eyeliner before so today wanted to make the eyes a bit more colourful so included soft purples and plummy colours and finished up with a pink gloss on my lips.

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Orange and pink, they go together right?

I woke up this morning thinking about a look with soft orange eyes and bright pink lips. Maybe because I wanted to use my Rubenesque Paint Pot by MAC. 

I got it ages ago and hardly ever use it as it doesn't really suit my colouring - it's a pearlescent orange/peach that looks amazing on green eyes. That said, I felt I had to use it as it was just staring at me from my kit bag. MAC Paint Pots are creamy but dry to a powder finish. They're high in pigment so can be a great base to start off an eye look. They won't budge or crease so you don't need an eyelid primer underneath.

I didn't want to do a heavy orange look, I tried it a few weeks ago and it was a disaster! So, I kept the eyes quite light with a wash of Rubenesque, some contouring in the crease for depth and then lined my top & bottom lashes with a dark brown eyeshadow using an angled brush. I used shadow rather than gel/ liquid eyeliner as I wanted a softer, more natural look.

Then I went for bright pink lips. What do you think? I like it, I think. Looks like a softer, more daytime version of my Leigh Lezarck look.

BAD pics of me today BTW - I look half asleep because my toddler has started waking at 2am and crying for the rest of the night. Here's hoping she sleeps through tonight!

The make up is the same in both pics but the bottom pic shows of the eye colour better. I look like I'm about to fall asleep in it though, yuck!

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It's a green day

After a going purple crazy yesterday I thought I'd try a green look today.

I used to wear green a lot but I think maybe I got tired of it or started to feel it was a bit obvious for brown eyes, so haven't worn it for ages.

I brought a green metalic liquid eyeliner by BarryM yesterday so built the look around that, using different shades of green on my lids, in my socket and under my eyes then lifting the look by adding a wash of a warm brown across my brow bone. 

I did try the look with a glossy orange lip colour which you can see in the bottom pic but, as usual, I wiped it off and went with a nude gloss. I really like it (the top pic) as there is still a hint of orange on my lips under the gloss.

I'll definitely be wearing green again, especially the liner which is a pretty forest green colour with added shimmer as it's metallic. Plus cheap as chips (£4.79 in Boots) as it's by BarryM!

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Make up tips for glasses wearers

When I started wearing glasses a few years ago (over 10 actually, yikes) I was wasn't really sure what make up to wear with them. I was still getting used to wearing glasses and never seemed to get it quite right.

A decade of playing around and I've worked out that, during the day I just like to enhance my eyes to help them stand out but not look too 'done'.  

Glasses can sometimes magnify the eye area so I feel it's particularly important to get my under eye concealer right so that my dark circles are well camouflaged.
I apply pencil eyeliner above the top lashes (here I've used a dark plum) and smudge it a little with a similar coloured eye shadow. This softens the look and sets the pencil. I run the same brush I used to smudge the pencil liner just below my bottom lashes too.
I like to curl my lashes, apply mascara and then comb through the lashes to avoid any clumps.
A bit of blush, lip balm/ gloss and I'm good to go about my business!

From there, if I'm at work or out and about, I can either build up the eye make up to make a more smokey look or add a bright lippy. I find that it's one or the other for me.

Below you can see I've spent more time building up the eye make up, making the eyeliner thicker and winging it out very slightly. I've also built up the colour so that it's heavier and more of a smokey look.
I added more blush then tried a couple of lip options, the first image below is a purple lipgloss with a nude shimmery gloss patted on top. The second image is the same eye make up with a pink gloss.

Which of the three looks you prefer?

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Look for the day...

Another day another make up look. 

Since my daughter Molly still sleeps for an hour in the middle of the day, I try to make the most of this wonderful time by experimenting with my make up - using products that I haven't used before or for a long time.  

Today I flicked through Grazia and was inspired by this gorgeous image of Jennifer Lopez for L'Oreal Elvive.  In particular, I love the eyes, brows and glowing skin.  Below is my interpretation - obviously I'm not a patch on JLo but it was a fun look to recreate...

Image courtesy of http://img.trendenciasbelleza.com/2012/01/elvive.jpg

To achieve JLo's glowing skin, I added Mac Strobe Cream to my foundation. I wanted the eyes to look polished like the reference rather too grungey and I think I'd like another stab to get this perfect as mine are a bit messier than the original.

I really like my skin though and this is so easy to create so I'll try it again another time soon. It reminds me of Kim Kardashian/ Cheryl Cole's make up don't you think?

What to try tomorrow...

Heading out tonight...?

I just created this bronzed eye look and I think it would be perfect for a night out. What do you reckon?

Starting off I applied the bronze end of the Max Factor Purple Dust as the eye shadow base. 

I then layered L'Oreal Paris Bronze shadow over the top and ran the dark brown from my Estee Lauder Bronze Dunes palette into the crease.

I lined my top lashes with Bobbi Brown's brown gel liner and blended with Illamasqua's Forgiveness from the Complement palette into the liner and the bottom outer third of my lashes.  

I LOVE the Champagne colour from this palette too (Slink) so I added that as a highlight to the centre of my lid, the inner corners and along the bottom lash line.

To finish up I added a wash of Mac Nocturnelle to my brow bone and a couple of coats of Maybeline Mascara.

For my lips, I kept it simple. I applied a thin coat of Illamasqua's Magnetism lipstick, smudged it with my fingers to sheer it out and create more of a stained look then dabbed a little of my Illume lip gloss by Smashbox.

Other product used are listed below...

Also used were:

Illamasqua Skin Base
Illamasqua Gleam in Aurora
Kryolan Derma Colour
Kryolan eye brow palette
Illamasqua Sealing Gel
Illamasqua Heroin eye shadow
Benefit Coralista
Benefit Hula
Sleek Blush in Pumpkin (Orange shade)

Blue eyeliner fun!

I brought a gorgeous, deep blue, loose Satin Powder shadow by Kryolan a few weeks ago and have been dying to try it out ever since. It's a slightly pearlescent, highly pigmented fine powder in a very pretty blue colour that I just knew would look amazing with brown eyes and it didn't disappoint.

As Molly, my daughter, was sleeping I decided to have a play and create a colourful look with orange blush and orangey/ red lips but when we decided to head out to the shops I thought I'd better tone it down so I removed the white under-eye liner and my little tear drop!

'Scuse the bad hair - I'm growing out my crop (I think, I can't decide) and I'm that horrible in-between any kind of hairstyle stage.  Got a few months before I'm even close to a bob. Oiy! x

Other products used, in addition to Kryolan's blue Satin Powder - 

Laura Mercier foundation primer

Illamasqua Skin Base and Rich Liquid Foundations mixed

Illamasqua Sealing gel

Make Up Forever Orange corrector

Clinique All About Eyes concealer

Bobbi Brown 'Bone' eyeshador

MAC 'Soba' eyeshadow

Kryolan Brow palette

Illamasqua 'Intrigue' blusher

Barry M 'Matte Turquoise' eye pencil

Max Factor 'False Lash effect' Mascara

Sleek blush palette

Benefit 'Hula' bronzer

Illamasqua 'Heroin' eyeshadow

Illamasqua 'Gleam. highlighter

Lord and Berry 'Mandarin' lip pencil

Illamasqua 'Absorb' lipgloss

I'm a published MUA!

Here are the images from my first published job for Flavourmag with the lovely 2Shoes, shot by Simon Howard.  

So exciting to think that less than a year ago I was training to be an MUA and now I can say that I've been published. All thanks to London Muse for my training and my beautiful and patient sisters for continuing to be my models/ guinea pigs! 

Anyway, the brief from the magazine for me and the other make up artist, Keiko, was to give the girls a colourful, springtime look. I think they look great, really pretty and I look forward to hopefully working with them and Flavourmag again soon.

Check out Flavourmag.com for the full 2Shoes interview and to see what they're up to.  

Brushes!

A few pics of my (messy) work station after a hard night's work!
Thanks Rebecca Granville-Overton & Kevin Ahronson. 

Dermalogica skincare, MAC eyeshadow plalette and various brushes by MAC, Real Techniques, Crown & Charles Fox.

A few of my favourite brushes including Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, Crown contour brush & MAC brow brush

Derma Colour lip palettes from Charles Fox

Bridal shoot with Kevin Ahronson

I've had a brilliant and busy week. Two successful bridal make up trials plus a fabulous shoot with photographer Kevin Ahronson. 

I've admired Kevin's black and white wedding photography for a while so I was thrilled when offered the chance to provide make up for two pretty ladies on his shoot.

Not only did I get the stunning images below but Kevin has given me a lovely review on his blog Ahronson.org.

Me working on model Tatiana Aspinwall

And above working on model Hayley Wilson

A couple of shots from a shoot at iCandy Studios in South Bermondsey last month. 

Stylists / Photographers - Charley Van Purps & Akua Appiah.

The brief was to create a strong, contoured look with a heavy brow and nude lips.  I love how the images have come out, the styling is really cool.

Love the guys at iCandy and Favourmag. Stay tuned for more work I've done with them and in the meantime check out the magazine for all the latest music buzz!

Summer wedding/ English rose

I just created this pretty and super easy summer wedding/ English rose look using long lasting, mainly high street products.  I'll update the post with a list products but here's how to re-create the look yourself.

After priming skin, I worked layers of sheer foundation into my skin, applied concealer under eyes, around my eyes, mouth and covered any blemishes. Before setting with translucent powder I layered a pink cream blush on the apples of my cheeks.

For the eyes, I applied a pink longwear cream shadow to my lids then a mid brown into my crease.  I then popped a little shimmery pink pigment to the centre of my lid which really lifts the eye.  

Using an angled brush I lined my upper lashes with dark grey shadow followed by black waterproof mascara.  Without adding any more product to the brush I applied the same grey shadow under my lower lashes, lined my water line with a pale yellow pencil then applied mascara to my lower lashes.

Next, I defined my brows by brushing them up and into place, plucked any strays and filled in the gaps with a dark brown pencil.  Set with clear mascara.

On my lips I used a rosy pink longwear lip pencil followed by long lasting lip gloss. I've use this Lipfinity one by Max Factor a few times and, when used with the balm provided it does stay in place.  I would say it's kiss and smudge proof but you'll need to re-apply after eating. Very quick and easy to do though.

I finished up by using a matte bronzer under my cheek bones, onto my temples and chin and highlighted my brows, bridge of my nose and chin.

Finally, using a small fluffy blending brush I applied translucent powder to any areas that I don't want any shine - between my brows, sides of my nose, under eyes.

Et voila!

Pink and silver eyes

I had meant to practice an English Rose look for an up and coming shoot, but ever since I brought my Illamasqua palettes in Empower and Complement I've been dying to try out the silver liquid metal.

Starting with the Empower palette, I ran the silver all over the eyelid up to the socket, taking the shape out to a V to wing the look.  I then blended the purple from the Complement palette into my socket and along my lash line.  I added both colours under my eyes and lined my lashes with  Illamasqua's liner in Havoc.  Using Mac's Smoulder I lined my top and bottom inner rims.  I could have used a black liner on top but I wanted to keep the look colourful and fun.

I then added the pink colour from my Empower palette to the upper lid and a little underneath in the centre to brighten the look up and added some lashes for added impact.

 

Generally speaking, I'dd add a fairly nude lip so that the eyes stand out but since I had time to play I used my medium pencil in Manic and blended a little sheer lip gloss in Violate, a deep shimmery green colour, as I was keen to see how he colours worked together and I love the result.

On my cheeks I've used Benefit's Coralista, contoured with Heroin eyeshadow by Illamasqua and highlighted brows, cheekbones, nose, lips and chin with Gleam by Illamasqua.  Finally I set the look with Mac's translucent powder.

Not exactly English Rose look but a pretty, pinky based look that would be great for a night out with the girls!

Backstage at Flavourmag

Here are a few backstage pics by photographer Simon Howard, taken at Flavourmag last Monday.
That's me working on Kiss FM DJ Charlie Hedges in the top pics and then Charlie from 2Shoes at the bottom!

All pictures courtesy of Flavourmag

Click here to see all the backstage pics Simon took, including those of editor Annika Allen talking to 2Shoes & DJ Ironik. 

Speckled Eyeliner

As promised, yesterday I gave Illamasqua's speckled eyeliner a go...

I used Illamasqua's liquid eyeliner in Abyss to create a thick eyeliner flick.  I absolutely love this eyeliner and the brush is so easy to work with.  To create the speckles, I added a drop of Sealing Gel to my Intrigue blusher and dotted it onto the black liner.  For the version I have posted here I varied the size of the speckles per Alex Box's gorgeous version.  Mine obviously doesn't compare but with a bit more practice I could certainly have it looking a lot better.

As the day went on I decided to redo the speckles and add white dots over the liner which looked really cool and i'm definitely going to do again.  I got loads of compliments and it was a great conversation starter. I didn't get any pictures of my dotty eyeliner unfortunately but will post a pic as and when I do it again.

On my lips I used Illamasqua's medium pencil in Manic.  It's a matte finish but SO creamy and very highly pigmented so I didn't need to apply anything over the top.  Great staying power too - I had dinner and it had barely budged at all!

I love the look of the black and white eyeliner and it's so easy to do.  If you're unhappy with the white dots you can gover over with black eyeliner and redo them very quickly.  I would definitely recommend this as an easy and fun alternative to classic black liner. 

The Oscars!

I love the Oscars!  Wondering who's going to win and, more importantly obviously, the anticipation and then excitement of seeing what everyone's wearing - who's going to knock it out of the park and who is going to end up in the 'What were they thinking' pages.

I thought matte lips stole the show this year with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain absolutely nailing it.  Anne's pink lips are so current and pretty whilst Jessica Chastain's red lip just oozes Hollywood glamour and the gold really makes her blue eyes pop.

http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/15/7F1D51C65D6D206B1148F3B2247D83_h498_w598_m2.jpg

Another gorgeous matte lip, this time from Amanda Seyfried.  The pink lips and mauve eyes are so perfect on her. Youthful and colourful whilst still being classic and Oscars appropriate!

http://www.glamour.com/images/beauty/2013/02/amanda-seyfried-oscars-makeup-w724.jpg

Other faves of mine include Jennifer Lawrence whose Dior gown, make up and hair were classic and timeless. I would have loved to have seen a little more edge from her perhaps but definitely stunning and very Oscars!

http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Jennifer-Lawrence-Oscars-2013-hair-makeup-nails.jpg

Adele rocked her fabulous big hair and eyeliner look and looked hot, as always.

http://movies4kids.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/adele-skyfall-oscars-2013-600x337.jpg

And Charlize Theron looked crazy gorgeous with her cropped hair and Dior gown.

http://cdn.stylefrizz.com/img/charlize-theron-dior-white-dress-2013-oscars.jpg

Overall I thought everyone looked great and it was back to old school Hollywood glamour.  Best dressed for me were either Naomi Watts or Jessica Chastain. Both wore Armani Prive.

http://media4.onsugar.com/files/2013/02/08/0/192/1922564/793c9a643d47cacc_Naomi-Watts-Oscars.preview.jpg

It was all maybe a little safe, no major disasters or Lara Flynn Boyle moments sadly. Except for Kristen Stewart's ill fitting dress and bad hair day.

I actually thought her make up was really pretty but it didn't seem to go with her outfit.  Maybe she had a last minute panic and changed her dress and hair.  I know I can sympathise!

http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2013/02/25/kristen-stewart-oscars-makeup-2013.jpg

http://i4.cdnds.net/13/09/618x966/kristen-stewart-85th-oscars.jpg