Vamp Up Your Valentine's Day Look

Hello!




With Valentines Day fast approaching, I thought I would share a ' Valentines look' for you all. You don't need Valentines Day as an excuse to rock this, but hopefully it could inspire those who are in bit of a rut and want to try out a different look.


My main focus was my lips, and I just added a slick of eyeliner to really finish the look. 

Only fellow make up junkies will understand when we start talking about finding ' The right shade of red'. Finding a lip colour that is long lasting proved to be difficult, however, after much (too much) testing and swatching, I now have my holy grail of Lip products that I will just continue to re-purchase.

Hope you 
enjoy this post!




Firstly. If you've read my blog, then you know I'm a fan of the ' Sleek' range. I love their eye shadows and contour kits, and my love didn't stop there, because my new obsession is their  ' Pout Paints'.   ( Swatch 2)


I have purchased every colour, but for the sake of this post, I have just shown the colour ' Pin Up'



There is alot of product packed into this little tube. I do warn...Tread with caution, because you may scoff at these little tubes, but with this product, less is more! You only need the smallest amount to achieve the look you want. 


The pout paint to me does everything I want- it gives me a red gloss that lasts! It's a bright red that’s perfect for an evening look, a night out or a bridal look. A staple in my make up case!


Next is the Ben Nye lip palette. I love this palette and it’s so handy for mixing colours to get a desired look. It comes with a lip brush, which does the job. I took this palette on Holiday with me, to see if the colour would last through the Indian heat and it did not fail me. I wore this for 4 hours without having to re-apply! ( Swatch 3)


Last but not least is my Tom Ford lip lippie in 10 ' Cherry Lush'.  I always have this with me, because its one of my creamiest lipsticks and the colour is like no other lipstick. It's has a very subtle orange undertone, which gives it that pop. I usually need to re-apply this after 3/4 hours if that, so to me it’s a keeper! ( Swatch 1)


I hope you all enjoyed this post and have a great Valentines Day!

♥

Zukreat Artist of Makeup Contour Sticks Review + Swatches

 Zukreat Artist of Makeup Contour Sticks Review 

 Having followed Zukreat for many years, and having seen her work via YouTube/ Facebook/ Instagram, I, like many people have been eagerly awaiting  the AOM  line to release, hoping it would live up to its hype.

Contouring is now a well-known process since the release of Kim K’s pictures, as it gives us those cheekbones and slim nose that we oh so want!! I purchased two contouring sticks, at the price of £18 each.  As a MUA, and a self-confessed Junkie, The thought did cross my mind ‘Do I really need another contouring product?!’…YES YES I do!  I was quick to realise that this product gives a different finish,to similar products on the market.

The product comes in a stick applicator, which is convenient, and also has the expiry date on the product, which is a helpful reminder.

The texture is very creamy and easy to blend. I applaud Zukreat as she has been able to create a product that is oh so creamy without being greasy! When blended out, the contoured sticks give the face an obvious defined look, but what I love about this product the most, is just how buildable it can be, to give a more dramatic look.

When I first received the products (the delivery was very speedy) I was surprised at how much product you actually get in these tubes! Bonus!

Now contouring can be difficult to grasp if you’re new to all of this, and it can be a brain puzzle trying to work out what you are supposed to contour?!, What colour to use?! Foundation first or on top?! What brush!??  Breathe!

Contouring is actually very simple, with very quick results, and like anything…it’s just practice, practice and more practice.

Let’s begin!

Disclaimer: It’s not a pretty process but once all blended out it looks great. If you think you look ridiculous then you’re doing it right.

The idea is to highlight the areas on your face that you want to pop; this is where the light would normally hit your face.  You apply the darker contour colour to the areas you would want to minimise, and also sharpen e.g. Jaw line, nose etc.

Now contouring is not a one trick pony that fits all. It’s all dependent on your face shape. Some people already have quite defined facial features, and do not need any contouring. It’s all dependent on your face shape and your features, along with your own 
personal preference.

This is a general guide to give you an idea of areas to contour-

I started off by washing my face and applying Bobbi Brown Intensive Moistrouser Cream. To apply the contour you can either use a brush or apply the sticks directly. If you’re new to contouring, I would suggest using a small brush ( Samantha Chapman concealour brush due to its size is great) or any tapered brush so you can get the sharp lines needed.

I found the AOM contour sticks to be so creamy and so easy to blend. I used my beauty blender to blend the contouring, and I was so surpised at the result. The contour sticks blended out just as youd hope to leave you with the idea base.

After blending out the contouring, I applied foundation on top of the contour- This gives your base a more natural look .This is a personal preference, so don’t be put off if you do it the other way. I applied the foundation with my MAC stippling brush, however you could also use a Beauty Blender ( a different one if you used this to blend out the contour, or a cleaner one).

I added my NARS powder under my eyes and set the darker contour with my bronzer. A sweep of blusher and my illamasque lip-gloss in Champagne, and I’m set!

The final result was this :

I cannot recommend Zukreats contour sticks enough and I’m excited to try the rest of her range! What I have been looking for is a contour stick/ highlight product that really makes your under eye area pop instead of leaving you with that dull look, and I have finally found it!

Thank you!  ♥

Hand Made Gift Ideas!

Hello!


This Christmas, My partner and I decided to make hand made gifts to each other. We both are saving up and we both wanted to make gifts for each other because it’s more sentimental and personal.




When we originally set each other this task, I had all these ideas...and then a complete mind block followed this.  I searched the Internet and found some ideas on Pinterest, which turned out to be a lifesaver. There are so many great ideas that are really sentimental, and cost practically nothing. I do urge everyone to try this out and I’ve included some ideas below to get you going!




Gift Ideas!

•   A basket with their favorite foods e.g. homemade cookies and Pies! Yum

•   A photo album of your time together. You can great deals to print the pictures out cheaper

•   A scrapbook of your time together

•   A book of tokens that your other half can cash in. E.g. A token for breakfast in bed

•   Make your own canvas with a personal message.

•   If you're arty then you can maybe draw your other half a picture, or alternatively paint them a picture*

•   Grab your needle kit out and stitch them a personal message on a pillow cushion

•   Knit a scarf- depending on time and skill!

Hope these ideas have inspired you!


I made my partner a Canvas. It was pretty easy. I did this by printing out the message on A3 paper and stuck it on the back of the canvas. I made sure I cellotaped the paper to ensure it didn't move around. I then stenciled the letters...very slow work, and spent the rest of the afternoon painting it in.  The song is personal to us both, which made the present quite personal.




My partner is the arty one, and is quite skilled in this area, so he drew me this wonderful picture of me. I love it!


Good Luck  ♥

Storage Storage and more Storage

Hello and Happy New Year!

We've now entered 2014 and I think theirs no better time to organise your room/ personal space. I'm quite organised and I like knowing where something is, rather than searching around my room- so you can imagine how frustrating it is when something is ' borrowed' or moved.

I spent all day organising my jewelry, clothes, papers etc.…and left my favorite part (the makeup oranising) last, this is usually because it takes me the longest as I end up getting so engrossed and trying different looks, I forget what I was actually supposed to be doing. 

I have this brilliant makeup case that I take on makeup trials with me, however that’s just for the clients. My own makeup I keep in a large organiser box on my dresser. This was fit for purpose but the compartments weren’t big enough and I constantly felt like I was rummaging every morning!

Knowing what I needed, I went googling and found most make up cases either not big enough, too delicate, ridiculously expensive or Rather cheap and looked like it would fall apart the moment I’d put my eyelash curler in there. Sigh

Then one day... on a walk through IKEA I found these large plastic boxes, of all different sizes, which you can stack on top of each other.  What I loved about these boxes, was that you could completely tailor them to your need, and make it up of smaller boxes, the longer ones, maybe throw in a big box!

I did originally want a clear plastic, but these are brilliant because they don’t get mucky as often as they would if they would be clear.

I’m very happy with my organized boxes. I can understand they may not be as pretty on the eye as the boxes the Kardashian use, but they are fit for purpose, and come with a reasonable price tag, so all in all… a winner for me.

I will be sharing other storage examples…and please feel free to share yours!

♥

5 Quick Easy Steps To Apply Fake Lashes

 Lashes I applied on a client* ^^

Hello Junkies!

We all know that applying fake lashes completes any makeup look, and gives your eyes that extra ' oohh la la' look that we all want.

This post was inspired because many clients will say that the whole process of putting fake eyelashes on is too fiddly and leaves them with clumpy eyes, and they are just a squinting mess at the end of it ( Boo)

By the end of reading this post, you will ( hopefully) feel more confident in applying fake lashes and will venture into this area a bit more.

If anyone would benefit from a video tutorial then please feel free to leave me a message :)

First things first... What do you need?

• Your chosen fake eyelashes...(Always helps)
• Eye Lash Adhesive - I always use the Duo-Lash from MAC. I've never had any problems with this. I suggest you invest ( I say invest but its £10)  in a decent glue, and throw the one you get with the lashes away- this stuff won't do you favours. ( Side Story- I've also got an allergic reaction from one of these glue's- I had swollen eyes for days- who says beauty is pain free eh?!)
• Some tweezers- to get the eyelashes on the lash line- these aren't necessary and can be done without

Now you are all set...lets Glue!

1.Take your lashes out the packet...they usually have a R and L so you know which eye they are for. One at a time...measure the eyelash against your lash line to see if it fits perfectly. If not...Grab some small scissors ( Yes add scissors to ' what do you need' ) and cut the strip from the outer edge. Doing this prevents your eyes from looking droopy and from falling off.

* If you're not that confident and you're worried about taking too much off then do it bit by bit *

2. Grab your glue! To apply the glue, you can apply it straight from the tube, and run it along the strip. This is for those who have a steady hand and are confident they can control the amount of glue that comes out. I prefer putting a line of glue on my hand and run the strip along that. alternatively, you can grab a toothpick and glide it across the lash strip.

* If you've put lashes on before, you may have found that the inner and outer corners do unstick when you blink, which leads to you taking the lashes of in your annoyance- To prevent this, ensure that you are generous with the amounts of glue on the inner and outer strip.*

3. Don't try and be an eager beaver and wait before you place the strip on your own lash-line, as you need to give the glue time to get more tactile and sticky. * speed up the process by waving the lash in the air or blowing on it*  

* Tip: Look down into a mirror when positioning the lashes. You get a better angle of the lash line*

4. Apply the lash to the base of your natural lash line on top of your actual lashes, not on the eyelid at all. The glue dries clear so don't worry if it gets messy. If you're hands aren't that steady- you can use the tweezers to help you position the lashes.

5. I always apply mascara to mesh the lashes together. It's never a good look when you see someone from a side view and their own lashes underneath!

* Fill any gaps you see with a black eyeliner- Saves you starting all over again*

♥

D.I.Y Face Mask

Hey All!

Right...The Winter season is upon us, and it's the perfect time to start investing in a good face mask. Face mask don't have to put a strain on your bank card, and with so many on the market, it can get confusing as to what face mask is actually right for your skin type.

I prefer to the D.I.Y Face Mask, and below are some of my favouite tried and tested face masks you can do (after having a quick raid of your cupboard).

Combination Skin

Blend two bananas's
Two tablespoons of honey and some peeled peaches
Add ground almonds
Small handful of porridge oats
Mix together and apply to your face.

Leave for 20 minutes and wash of with warm face cloth.

Oily Skin

Plain yoghurt
Sweet Almond oil
Handful of Cornflower
4 fresh plums

Leave for 10 minutes and rinse off with face cloth.

Dry Skin

Small carton of yoghurt
Handful of oatmeal flakes.

Leave for 30 minutes- rinse off.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of my dark circles?

Other than drinking the recommeneded intake of water, and getting a good nights sleep, there are other things you can do, such as : Cut round slices from potatoes and leave them on your eyes for 20 minutes. Make the slices thin.

What do I do about my dry scalp?

Massage warm coconut oil through your hair and scalp- blast your hair with the hair dryer to melt the oil. Wrap your head in a towel and leave overnight. Wash your hair as normal the following day.

Hope this helps! Thank you

Sleek Make-Up Palettes

Hello Junkies

Welcome to my ‘ Sleek Palette’ Review. This blog came about, because I’ve had clients during bookings asking me about the Sleek palettes after spotting them in my makeup trolley. Most of you have probably heard/ seen/ read reviews on the Sleek line, which is said to ‘Cater for all skin complexions’.

Whilst walking around my local SuperDrug, I was drawn to the Sleek counter (as I am to most makeup counters) and bought some of their eye shadow palettes, due to word of mouth recommendation from a fellow MUA. Whilst I was perusing the Sleek Counter, I gave into temptation and ended up buying quite a few other products, after doing some quick swatching -I will review these at a later date.

Like most makeup brands, there are some products which I love, and some which don’t live up to the hype- I will go through these, but for the purpose of the blog, I will be reviewing just the eye shadow palettes.

I have chosen 4 quite popular eye shadow palettes to review so you get the Jist of the colour payoff and the texture of the product. Each palette is £9 each and I have to say- it’s a bargain for what you get! The palettes all come with a Mirror and those eye sponge sticks ( yes that's what I'm going to call them), but I throw them away as soon as I open the case! If any one does have a Sleek Palette which I haven’t reviewed, just leave me a message if you would like me to do a review- or a tutorial if you are trying to achieve a certain look. J

If anyone does want to peruse the website- you can order online then just follow this link : http://www.sleekmakeup.com/

 **If anyone would like to see me re-create any looks using these palette's then please feel free to contact me :) **

Let's begin

Snapshot Palette

As you can see this Palette is made up of some matte and shimmer shadows.

This has to be one of my favourite palettes from Sleek and that's because of the shimmer shadows.  The eye shadows in this palette are very bendable and have a creamy texture. If you're looking to invest in a sleek palette, I would recommend this palette, but that's based on how pigmented the shimmer eye shadows are. The 4 matte colours ' do the job', but I wasn't drawn to the colours and The matte colours don't give the colour payoff that I was expecting, which left me quite disappointed.

Original sleek palette

This was actually the first sleek palette I purchased, and it's one I go back to time and time when collecting my favourites. Whenever showing my clients the palettes- this has to the one that most people are the most drawn to because of it's 'earthy colours'.

This palette is comprised of metallic pigments which are so pigmented and are really creamy. With the shimmer, you get the age old problem of fallout. I deal with this by using a eye shield or powder.

I honestly cant speak more highly of this palette- the only gripe I have is that this is my second palette because I dropped my first one and it smashed everywhere, but that's my fault and at £9 a palette I cant really complain!.


I have used this palette to create many Smokey eye looks/ Indian bridal because of the gold shimmers.  I love the greens/ blues in this palette, and due to the rich colours you can really use these palettes to create some extreme looks.
Sunset palette


'Sunset shades represent the sun, sea and sand. With a blend of shimmering golds, reds and blues'. I always call this my ' holiday palette' as these are the colours you would reach for when on holiday as they create a warm look. I would pair this look up with a dewy foundation and a nude lip to really bring out the eyes.

 When using these shimmers I have to say - less is more- otherwise you are going to find It difficult to blend, and control the fallout. You can defiantly build the colour with these shimmers, but always tap of your brush first!

 

Ultra Matte V1 Palette

 This palette really lives up to its name and is comprised of all Matte colours. Sleek describe these colours as ' bendable and creamy' which they are! In my opinion, they can appear slightly chalky but are workable.

With the bright colours, you can create some quite shocking looks. I have used this palette to create a rainbow eye- with a slick of eyeliner, which really made the eye POP. I do like this palette due to the range of colours, but I wouldn't class it as essential to my kit. If you haven't already got any matte colours then its a good purchase, but you will still need the matte neutrals which this palette doesn't offer.

I have swatched each palette so you can get an idea of the colour pay off and also the texture of each eye shadow.

1st- From the  Ultra Matte V1 Palette. (2nd row. No2)
2nd- From the Sunset Palette- ( 1st Row. No6)
3rd From the Original Sleek Palette (1st Row. No5)
4th- From the Snapshot-( 1st Row No4)

Thank you!

♥