MINK Make-up artist of the year

Soooo I entered the This is MINK's Make-up artist of the year competition the other week. It was an amazing experience, and I'm so glad I did it as I went away having learnt something which for me if the best thing you can take away from any experience in life. Unfortunately I didn't win :( but I came runner up so for me that was still pretty huge. The theme of the look we had an hour to create was Colour Blocking and Solid Neons. Because of where I live I never actually got a chance to practice on my beautiful model until the day but I had a clear idea of what I planned to do as Iv'e worked on her before and I had tried everything on myself as well just to be as prepared as I could with the circumstances.

I started off making mood boards and collecting tear sheets to help me visualise the look I was creating. The trials that I did on my face were all pretty 'safe' and had 'no depth' in other people opinions so it was my primary aim to create depth and more of an interesting look. I really switched up the look and went crazy with colour to follow advice I had been given and so I really felt a sense of personal achievement with my final look compared to what I had started off with, It was slightly a jab when one of my comments from the judges was that it was a bit too safe but at least it was something I know I'm still in the process of working on. I think my downfall in my execution is that I was focusing too much of flawless rather than wacky which is evidently what they wanted from us. Another down point is that I ran out of time and didn't have time to apply false lashes, which is another suggestion one of the judges recommended to improve the look.

Nevertheless I really enjoyed the experience and here is my finished look. As is only human, the more I look at it, the more I pick at it so now it's looks like a Picasso painting in my eyes #SelfCritisism

Mwah xo

Illamasqua highlighter brush of life!

Hey Guuyyyss!

So I may have found the best make-up brush ever! I was having my make-up done at Illamasqua in Oxford Streets Selfridges and the beautiful woman doing my make-up was using what looked like a mini blush brush to apply my foundation. I thought it was odd but didn't really comment as she clearly knew what she was doing. When she showed me the mirror I was genuinely amazed... not so much at the foundation but at the finish. I personally remember thinking the colour wasn't a perfect match for me but the brush had literally given an airbrushed finish. The finish was as if it had been applied with an airbrush machine, it was as if she had buffed the product into my skin rather than layer it on top. I asked the lady about the brush and she said it was theyr most popular brush because it does absolutely everything. I actually went away with a sample of the foundation to try it out and every time I haven't managed to get it looking as good so went back to the Illamasqua in Meadowhall in Sheffield and was enquiring about a concealer which she also put on with the same brush and same results, loose powder, blusher, highlighter, eye-shadow ALL WITH THIS BRUSH!

I literally cant explain how perfect it was for each individual use it was put to. Iv'e now been able to use the brush to apply a full make-up look on someone and can honestly say it blows almost half the brushes I already own out the water. (I say most because there are things you obviously can't do with a fluffy brush, e.g. eye liner). I love love love this brush and recommend every make-up artist owns at least 4-5 of these gems. In terms of practicality I wouldn't recommend only using this brush or you'll have a worn out brush pretty soon from all the cleaning in-between colours. I would definitely say I prefer to use this brush to a flat foundation brush and the size of it make it easer and more precise than a medium sized stippling brush. The brush is made from synthetic fibres which will mean they don't soak up any of the product and usually last longer without shedding.

..It was love at first stroke, best believe I will be saturating my kit with these brushes!

Thanks for reading

Mwah xo

More of my work...

Mwah xo

Life update

Hey guys! The other week I finished my make-up course which now accredits me as a fully qualified hair and make-up artist! (very exciting). It was an intense course but I'm so glad I did it as personally helped me really round of the skills I taught myself. I trained at MINK London which is an amazing make-up school and agency. There was so much variety in what was taught, from African bridal and airbrush make-up to special effects and make up for TV and Film. I honestly don't think there is anything we weren't shown. 

I really thought long before actually committing to the course as I know of a few make-up artists who have made it without any official training. I figured in the end it would only help not hinder to combine my self taught skills with training to show me things I probably would take to longer to find out if I taught myself, some clients also tend to feel more relaxed if you have some kind of qualification. That is not to say being a 'qualified make-up-artist' puts me above a self taught make-up artist as you can only be taught to a certain extent, and it is really down to creativity and initiative to further perfect the skill and create a success of yourself. I'm currently working on that as we speak, always looking for ways to put myself out there and doing little jobs here and there to build up my portfolio. 

I recently worked on set of an indie film doing hair and make-up. The whole thrill of the day confirmed that this is really what I want to do in life, the 5 am start, the constant back and for between locations, rushed off my feet, creative input and endless nose powdering didn't put me off one bit. It was an amazing experience and I cant wait for more.

Here is a recent shot from my portfolio....

Mwah xo

P.s. Photographers.... Holla at me :)

Battle of the rouge lip!

So finding the perfect red lip can be a bit of a mission, with all the different shades and undertones out there. It has taken me a while to do so but I have found my perfect red... Well almost. I've found two. I've decided to bring the internal ongoing debate I have as to which one is my favourite to my blog.

Candidate number 1 is the infamous Ruby Woo by MAC. I love this red, it is the perfect balance between a deep and bright red. Super long lasting and super matte! It doesn't budge and there is 0 bleeding with this. My only criticism with this is almost not a criticism... I feel like sometimes (mostly in the winter) it becomes too matte and drying, It actually becomes hard to apply, which isn't entirely pleasant. In the summer I have no complaints but with the weather in the UK it's not very avoidable.

Candidate number 2 is the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mat in colour 203, I love love love this, it is pretty similar to Ruby Woo but slightly brighter. You can achieve that deep luxurious look with a bit of dark lip liner blended into it. This also doesn't bleed and lasts longer than most lipsticks although I don't believe the longevity quite matches upto Ruby Woo.

So not much difference between the two but from reading my own argument I think I prefer Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mat - 203 simply due to the way it looks and feels lovely on the lips. Your lips are delicate so anything you put on it shouldn't be dragging it or drying it out. For quick intensity for a photo shoot maybe I would definitely go for Mac but for everyday, throw in the handbag type of use,any time of the year YSL wins for me.

I think.
I'll probably change my mind next week, but for now :)

P.s They both smell ahmmaazing!

Mwah xo

Stay beautiful!

Just some of my thoughts expressed through poetry :)

Beauty starts from within.

It grows in entangled vines 

and wraps itself around the soul; adorning the piece with its beauty.

It grows leaves which find their way through the pores of the skin and miraculously rip through the imperfections and insecurities.

The beautiful marks it leaves, scar the skin with unchangeable battle wounds; wounds that a warrior would be proud to bare.

The beauty in beautiful is the perfection of the imperfections.

The more we try to hide the wounds we acquire whilst our inner beauty is finding its way to the surface; the quicker the leaves die and leave us empty.

Love yourself and allow the growth within you.

Don't go looking for beauty as beauty is already finding it's way to you from within...

Stay beautiful x

Mwah xo

Spring/summer 2014 Catwalk looks

When it comes to make-up there are no rules. Go as wild or understated as you like as your own personal make-up style is an extension of yourself. I love watching the catwalks at fashion week just to see what the designers have chosen to go with and why. A good way to get ahead on make-up trends is to do this and then customise it to make it your own.

I noticed in terms of skin it was all very natural and dewy. BB creams, tinted moisturisers and concealers were all over the catwalks. That bare faced dewy look is perfect for the spring/summer season. To get this look I would recommend using Smashbox photo finish foundation primer to create a flawless even base without adding colour and YSL's BB cream for that amazing dewy natural coverage as seen on Rosie Huntington. I always reccomend YSL BB cream for that dewy look over most other BB creams out there because I think it has the three must haves... 1.Flawless finish 2.Feels silky smooth on the skin 3.Smells gorgeous! :)

With regards to eyes metallics are the one. Its all about pops of colour on the lids. It adds a certain youthfulnes and the mettalicity gives it the right amount of sexy. I fell in love with this look on Chanel's Artful spring 2014 collection catwalk. The models looked like barbie mashups of 50's and 80's combined with a modern edgyness and some harajuku infuences with the paled out faces to solely emphasize the eyes. Besides the beautiful clothes the makeup was really on point. Intense eyes witout eyeliner is back! Mac paint pots are perfect for this look, Benefit also do gorgeous mettalic cream shadows that are so simple to use and create the look. By simply sweeping it across your lid wll just brighten up you face, coat your lashess in mascara and if your feeling daring ditch the eyeliner completely. It's such a refreshing change for a day look.

Lips - a slight step away from nude lips but not too far. Understated statement lips I would call it. Berry, Peach, Pink... you name it. It goes. Summery coloures with a sheer gloss to give a more natural colour is what I noticed a lot of. Babylips by Maybelline is perfect for this as it provides moisture and colour all in one. Save the matte lips for winter guys, its all about glossy vulumptuous lips this spring/summer. Cream lipsticks are also a great idea, go as bright and wonderful as you feel. a creme orange lipstick for me defines srping/summer in a nutshell, daring, bright and fun.

And as for eyebrows... Keep them wild ...but keep it clean. Keep it Delavinicious

Mwah xo