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

Mixology!

Okay so this post is all about how to mix products to make even more amazing products. Sometimes meaning you don't have to get a different product all together. There are some make up products I see and I'm just like... really? I could make that by mixing something I already have so here it goes...

Radiant foundation?

It's not everyday matte make up. Especially in this lovely weather, radiance is also a very sexy look to go for and this is how to achieve it without going out and buying a 'radiant foundation'.

Your fave foundation


        +

Your highlighter

















This works so well and really gives your foundation a radiant glow. I recommend liquid highlighters as they blend easier with the foundation. Just a pea sized amount mixed into however much foundation you would usually use and Voila! :)


Metallic lipstick?

Metallics are sooo in this season! From clothes and shoes, to make up. Precious metals are the way forwards. So here is the magic formula

A moisturising lipstick


+

A shimmery eyeshadow








I'm sure we all have both of these in our make up bags. I highly recommend benefits Creaseless eye-shadow as the colours are so gorgeous and metallic and super long lasting which would hold your lipstick longer as well. Using a lip brush (or your fingers) blend the two and apply for a glam pout!


So these two are the ones I use/love the most. Hope you guys try it out and love it!
Until next time :)

Mwah xo

Pow lips!

Okay, so I heard about this Clip Lipnicure stuff through tumblr on Julie begins Blog. Julie Begin is an international makeup artist who is also a key inspiration for a lot of my ideas. I love her boldness and experimental use of colour. Here is some of her work ...

Anyway, back to the lip stuff, so I had to order it to try it out because I was really looking for a lip stain that had a killer pigment considering I have quite dark lips. This stuff is genuinely amazing. I ordered the Guilty pink colour as a safe option not knowing if it would look to bright against my skin. So it came within 2 weeks of me ordering it and along with it I got some cc cream and two interesting paper masks which are actually quite nice (weird but nice). It comes in a cute little lop with an applicator top. The colour is AHHMMAAZZEEE... I was literally so shocked by how bright and well it coloured the lips. It is also non transferable and has a super matte finish so lasts literally over 7-10 hours (roughly timed). Iv'e been wearing it daily and have discovered cute different ways to wear it. by dabbing a small amount in the middle of your lips and blending it out gives a sultry look. If you line your lips with a darker colour and put the lipnicure after it gives a diva-licious pout. and obviously on it own it gives an awesome pop of colour.

Here is is on me... (apologies for the quality...)

This was using the lip liner method :)

Here are all the colours they do

Go grab yourself one :)

Mwah xo

25 things you probably didnt know about me

Okay so I see quite a few bloggers with '25 things about me..' etc. and  always feel its a nice touch as it helps readers get to know the person behind the blog so I decided to do one :D

1. I giggle after almost everything I say
2. I have a serious fear of saliva..
3. I have size 8 feet
4. I have a huge girl crush of Ciara
5. I'm a Geordie lass (Arguably a Mackem) but no longer have the accent :(
6. I'm 5 foot 6, average kinda height
7. I looove to cook
8. My favourite hobby is probably shopping...
9.  I feel lonely very easily
10. I have a little cry to myself every time I walk past MAC <3
11. 'Lets stay together' is one of my favourite TV shows
12. I get slightly obsessed with investigating crimes that fascinate me
13. I love to write and make short stories
14. I love to draw even though I'm hopeless at drawing
15. Making films is kinda my thing
16. My dream in life is to become a successful freelance make-up artist worldwide :D
17. I live in dream land
18. I'm very impatient
19. My favourite film is Silence of the Lambs
20. My favourite movie is White Chicks and Mean Girls
21. I am absolutely infatuated with Tigers
22. 2 Chainz is my idol....
23. I enjoy buying people presents... like way too much
24. I fall asleep anywhere, its quite a problem actually
25. Im a selfie queen...

Finally!

So my doll of a flat mate finally plucked up the courage to allow me to do her makeup! Wooo :) because she is a natural beauty and doesn't wear much makeup I was very weary of doing a heavy coverage look so I stuck to subtly but effective. Suprisingly she really loved it, especially the eyes, I used Helen E blemish concealer under the eyes and did a slight smokey look using the naked 2 pallete (The love of my life). I used an orangey pink on her lips for extra cuteness and added a very light brushing of bronzer to her ccheeks. Here is the look!

Mwah xo