Ive been away for a while but last week made a video for the Jemma Kidd LFW AW10 Competition.
The idea was to create a video of your version of one of the looks for London Fashion Week AW10.
I decided to do my interpretation of the makeup for Hannah Marshall's show. I initially produced a look which was similar to that on the runway, then made a more wearable version.
I would like to say a special 'Thank You' to Cherie Evans who produced the music for the video & also helped me to edit it.
I had major problems uploading it, so finally had to email a link. Whether it will be accepted, I dont know. Anyway here it is:

I thought id just pop this picture up.
It is a make up I have done in the last 5 minutes.
My inspiration was this photo from Illamasqua, although I didn't have it in front of my, so just used the memory of how it provoked me, to create my face.
The foundation I have got in is a new sample i received, so is the wrong colour for me & isn't as full coverage as Id like.
Let me know what you think!

Make Up Reviews - Various.
Ok! I've received quite a few items through the post recently (which I have bought), but haven't had time to try them, so I thought today, I'll do a quick make over using as many of the products that I can & review them. So here goes:

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish & Instant Boost Skin Tonic -
I have used Liz Earle mask & scrub before, which was ok but have heard loads about Cleanse & Polish, so wanted to try it. I have been looking for an quick & easy to use cleanser, that I can use on all skin types, when doing make up on others. Both products smell very 'herbal' in a pleasant but strong way. The cleanser is a thick cream which you massage on to a dry skin, then use the muslin cloth to take off. Now I like the idea of not washing it off, as splashing water on the face can be messy, but the cloth is a little harsh. I prefer to use cotton wool! It took off the grime & make up from my face, but waterproof mascara didn't budge! The skin tonic was refreshing & after using both, I felt like my skin was clean & soft.
Estee Lauder Prime FX - Colour Neutralising Primer.
I lover Smashboxes primer, but I have been looking at others & hoping to find a good one at a reasonable price. Is this it? No! In your hand you can see luminisers in it, but that doesn't come over on the face. It also doesn't state what colour it is supposed to neutralise - it is kind of a pearly white colour. It didn't cover the redness around my nose or the darkness under my eyes. I left it a while to set, but it continued to leave a 'stickiness' to my skin!

Benefit Boi-ing - Industrial Strength Concealer.
I like some of Benefit's products & in fact, would usually use their Lemonaide under the eyes. This isn't so good. It is supposed to be 'industrial strength' but I find it too greasy to effectively cover under the eyes! It just about covered a dark patch left by a previous spot, but that was about it!
Chanel - VitaLumiere Foundation
I have heard from many other Make Up Artist that they use Chanel foundations for their work, so I thought it was a bout time I tried them. I have started with VitaLumiere purely because I bought some samples & that was the one closest to my own skin tone. It gives a nice dewy finish which doesn't look at all greasy! it is also pretty buildable, so I have been able to go over the areas which the concealer was unable to cope with.

Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation.
I used this on half of my face as setting powder using a powder brush. Personally I prefer a more powdered finish, where I feel like it is set. I can still feel the tackiness of the foundation on my face. Perhaps it would have been better if I used the sponge which comes with it. It does give quite a nice flawless finish though, perhaps because it is a foundation too!

Benefit Get Even Face Powder.
I used this on the other half of my face & it definitely gives a more powdered feel to the finish. Although the look is less flawless than the Mac powder.

Bobbi Brown Diamond Dust Eyeshadow in Gilded.
This is beautiful! A lovely pale gold colour with a little bit of sparkle. It glides on beautifully & even though I don't usually use sparkly colours as they accentuate my age, this looks lovely.

Laura Geller EyeRimz Baked Shadow in Bewitched.
This too is lovely & goes so well with the Bobbi Brown shadow. It is a baked shadow with swirls of numerous tones, from gold, through copper & bronze all the way to chocolate. It gives a lovely multidimensional look to the eyes.

Bobbi Brown - Perfectly Defined Mascara - Black
Wow! Separates, defines & lengthens the lashes. What more can I say?

So, here's the close up of the eyes. A natural look with that something extra!
As you can see, the products which I have received recently are of varying quality (imho), but as expected Bobbi Brown wins through, as always!

Review - Elemis Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Mask

I have used Elemis's Tri Enzyme Discovery collection before & it was ok, but I probably didn't use it for long enough to give it a chance to work. I must admit, I like near-instant results.
But when I saw this on QVC UK, I really wanted to try it, but didn't have the money at the time.
So when I did have the money, I decided to purchase a trial version.
I cleansed my face well, then followed the directions, applying the clear gel avoiding the eyes & lips. As it was only a trial sample (& my rottweiler had gotten hold of it when it came through the post, puncturing it with her teeth), I decided to just put a thin layer on.
I left it for the recommended 8-10 minutes. It says to expect a "powerful tingling sensation". I wouldn't say that, I would say it was more of a cooling sensation. More like when you use lipgloss with peppermint in it!
I carefully washed it off with warm water, making sure it didn't get in my eyes & patted my face dry with a paper towel. I then thought id left some of the gel under my nose. There was still that cold numbing feeling left on my face, so when i touched it with my finger, it had a weird smooth feeling, like the gel was still there.
It was only when I looked in the mirror that I realised it was my skin that was smooth!!!
I have never had my skin as smooth as this left it - it was excellent!
I have since used it a couple of times more, & it has removed the white-heads on my face, which nothing else has managed to do so quickly.
I would highly recommend this product, but care must be taken not to use it near the eyes or lips as it contains Tri-Enzymes. It has a beautiful peachy scent & most of all - it really works!!

OK, for my first proper post, I thought Id go through what makeup I use on a daily basis - on me, not for my clients.
One thing to remember is, I don't have time to go through a massive rigmarole (if that is how you spell it!). When i was in my late teens & early 20s, Id spend half an hour putting my makeup on before Id leave the house, but now I put it on either on the way to work, or when I get to work, so must be able to put it on quickly & effectively enough to cover the signs of aging :-(
I do use various items & if I run out of one brand, I will use another, but this list is either my preference or usual items.
So here goes:

• Primer - Smashbox. I prefer their lite or original version but am currently using their Luminizing Primer. It feels like silk & the luminiser gives a lovely glow. The only negative with the luminiser is the primer & luminiser come out of different holes, so it's difficult to get the perfect amount of each.
• Concealer - Benefit Lemon Aid. This is actually an eye primer, but I find it perfect for covering the blue under the eyes & any redness around the nose etc. If I had it, I'd use Benefit's You're Bluffing, but Lemon Aid does a similar job.
  
• Foundation - Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous. I have only recently turned to this. It gives a nice light coverage which lets your skin show through. I was worried that it only comes in one shade, but it seems to work, unless you are very light.
• Powder - No17 Loose Powder. I rarely use pressed powder but loose can be inconvenient. So I put it in my Sheer Cover 'On-The-Go' brush. This is an empty powder brush which can be filled with powder that will be distributed into the bristles - ideal!
• Blusher - Nars Super Orgasm. I have just got into this after hearing numerous recommendations for Orgasm & it's lovely.
• Eyeshadow - It depends entirely on what I am wearing but I have just started wearing Bobbi Brown Long Wear creme Shadow in Galaxy, then Urban Decay Shattered over it. I also gently bring them under the lower lashes.
• Eyeliner - I don't often wear eyeliner, but with the above shadows I'd use Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Graphite. I also use this along the lower lash line (almost between the lashes) to make them appear fuller.
• Mascara - Max Factor Masterpiece waterproof or Blinc. Both stay put (especially the Blinc one) & give a natural look to the lashes.
• Lipstick - Max Factor Lipfinity. No140 - Charming. I will wear glosses but at work I can't be bothered to keep re-applying them, so this is perfect.

So this is what I use on a day to day basis.
Ive not got a photo of wearing these colours,
but this is another day wear I sometimes use.
The eyeshadows are Models Prefer Aquavit.

Hi.
This is my first post. I dont know whether anyone is going to be interested in what I have to say, but I thought id try!
I am training as a Make Up Artist. This is a dream I have had since I was 10 and now at the age of 39 :-/, I'm actually doing it.
I'm planning to review products, offer tips I have picked up over the last 30 yrs or so (especially for more mature people) and generally talk make-up.
If you have any questions, or anything you want to hear from me, please let me know.