Sunday 31 March 2013

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.  



Saturday 30 March 2013

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

Sunday 24 March 2013

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



Friday 22 March 2013

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!






Tuesday 19 March 2013

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!


Friday 15 March 2013

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!













Thursday 7 March 2013

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. 

Tuesday 5 March 2013

2Shoes shoot

A quick peak at 2Shoes' make up from yesterday's Flavourmag shoot.  They looked hot and were SO lovely and funny.  Just like they were on XFactor really.

Lucy (left) & Charlie from 2Shoes
Another make up artist (Kieko Nakamura) did Lucy's blue eye make up which looked really pretty with her dark brown eyes.  I gave Charlie gold & teal eyes and they both had nude lips to keep the look cohesive.

Will post the profesh pics (as the girls would no doubt say) when I get them but they might take a while so I thought I'd upload this in the meantime.

Saturday 2 March 2013

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. 

Friday 1 March 2013

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