Monday 29 July 2013

Depotting your MAC eyeshadows


Hello!

This week I finally got around to depotting some of my single eyeshadows (that have been laying around forever) in to a lovely shiny new palette. Its so much easier having them all in one place. I have used a large 15 palette for these ones, but you can get x2 or x4 palettes too which are ideal for traveling! I have only used MAC eyeshadows for this technique, other eyeshadows may be slightly different in terms of packaging so double check before you try this with any other brand! You can also use the exact same technique with the MAC blushers! 

Here goes;


 Step One: Take your eyeshadow, using you scissors wedge the point gently in to the join between the top and bottom part of the eyeshadow casing as shown in the photo and pop the center casing out. 







Step Two: Take the inner part with the eyeshadow in and place it on to your straighteners. Leave there for 10 seconds and then take it off. Be sure not to leave it on for too long and the plastic will melt on to your straighteners. 


 Step Three: Once you have taken the eyeshadow off the straighteners you will need to take your scissors again and very gently prise the eyeshadow from the plastic casing. The heat from the straighteners will have melted the glue making it very easy to remove the eyeshadow.
Please note: You need to be VERY careful at this stage not to smash or damage your eyeshadow. Also be careful not to burn yourself as the plastic, metal casing and glue will be hot!





Step Four: Cut a small bit off of your magnetic tape and stick to the bottom of the eyeshadow. Then make sure you remember to label your eyeshadow with a sticker so you don't forget what colour it is.




Step Five: Now your eyeshadow is successfully depotted, all that is left to to is drop it in to your empty palette!









There are lots of other ways of depotting, but this one works for me the best! I would love to hear what worked for you. 

Thanks for reading!
Lots of Love

Sunday 21 July 2013

Leopard Print Nails

Hello! I have created a really really quick and easy tutorial on how to get leopard print nails.
This took me about 10mins to do (including drying time) 
Enjoy!




Would love to know if any of you try this out!

Lots of love




Monday 15 July 2013

The Pros of Hiring a Pro!




All you beautiful brides to be, this one is for you!

You have spent so time planning every last detail of your big day, not to mention the money spent on your dress, shoes, jewellery, venue. So why wouldn't you invest a little in to what is going to be in every photograph to remind you of your big day.. Your face


So, why is hiring a Makeup Artist on your wedding day so important?

You, the bride are the focus for the entire day,  you will never be photographed as you are this day for the rest of your life. These photographs which you will look back on forever.
A professional makeup artist can create a beautiful look, tailored to you, that will last you through the whole day and well in to the evening.

Most women know how to apply their makeup very well. Which is great for everyday life.
But your wedding day is not just another day at work or a night out with your friends, it's the biggest day of your life, and you want to look more radiant and beautiful than you ever have before. 


It is important to remember that a makeup artist will have many more up to date products and colours to work with than an average person. These products will be specifically chosen for you, taking in to consideration what suits you, what will work best with your skin type and tone, and importantly which products will work best with photography so you will look just as beautiful in your photos as you do in real life!

You will no doubt have lots on your mind on the day, and hiring a makeup artist will allow you to just sit back, relax, drink champagne and enjoy being pampered.

So once you have decided that it may be a good idea to hire a professional to take care of your makeup on the day, the next step is deciding who to trust with such a big job on the day.


Here are a few things to consider when choosing a makeup artist for your wedding day;
It's always good to try and find a makeup artist through a recommendation. Ask married friends, photographers, hairdressers if they could recommend anyone to you.
Once you have found 2 or 3 with a promising portfolio, contact them and check their fee and availability.
You must always book a makeup trial. If your makeup artist is willing to do your wedding day makeup with out one, then this should sound some alarm bells.
A trial is recommended for a number of reasons; you can get to know the artist who will be part of the most important day of your life, discuss your requirements, try out different looks and colours with the advice from a professional. You can then breathe a sigh of relief knowing you're in safe hands.
Be sure to express exactly what you want on the day, don't be shy. It is all about you after all!

Here are some key points to bear in mind;

  •  A makeup artist has the skills and products to create a flawless makeup that will last you all day.
  • They understand how flash photography affects the appearance of makeup and will therefore be able to select the appropriate products.
  • Will save you time and money in the long run not having to find and buy your own cosmetics for the day. 
  •  You will gain peace of mind that you are in safe hands, if you are someone who lacks confidence in your appearance they will put you at ease that you will look exactly how you would like to on your wedding day.
Another option to consider is booking in for a makeup lesson. This will help you gain confidence in applying your makeup and you will learn lots of tips and tricks for the big day. They can guide you through which products to purchase, how to use them and why they are perfect for you on your wedding day. This is ideal for and brides getting married abroad, you can get great results with the help of a professional!

I hope I have managed to convince some of you the importance of hiring a professional. 
Happy wedding planning! 


Monday 8 July 2013

Summer Makeup Bag


As much as I love the summer, one thing I do not love is the big sweaty mess that my face becomes after a few hours at work or in the heat. That's a hell of a lot of time wasted in  the morning doing my makeup for it to all have dripped off a couple of hours later! A lot of people would suggest just not wearing makeup, but for cosmetic lovers like you & me, why should we have to sacrifice wearing makeup just because its hot? So I have discovered a few solutions and miracle products to keep us looking fresh and made up all day long, whatever the weather.  So here goes...

Face

Always use a primer! There are some great primers out there. Try and use one that has SPF in it too for some extra sun protection. 
A good primer will:
Smooth skins surface and even skintone
Make your foundation last longer
Reduce shine 
Help disguise blemishes and help your foundation/concealer blend more easily.

Swap heavy oil based foundations for  light weight, water resistant foundations which will stay on much longer for you. Try MAC Face & Body. (£27 120ml) It is a water-based, water-resistant foundation that provides natural coverage for the face and/or body. It is ideal for all skin types.  .
Other options are

If you feel like you may need more coverage (under eyes, blemishes etc) invest in a good quality water resistant concealer. I recommend Makeup forever Fullcover Concealer (£23.15) It is waterproof and extremely long lasting, even in the most extreme conditions. 
Remember less is more, a tiny dab of this under eyes and on any blemishes or uneven skin tone will be more than enough. 



Translucent blot powder or blotting films are a great way to keep shine at bay throughout the day. 
Stay away from any heavy foundation powders. A light weight oil absorbing powder is all you will need for a grease-free face. Blotting films are another great alternative as they allow you to banish shine from your t-zone without adding any extra makeup to your skin. These are a permanent fixture in my makeup bag in the summer months! 
MAC Prep + Prime Translucent Finishing Powder £20 (Available in pressed or Loose)

Bronzer is a must have for me in the summer months. Try using Too Faced 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer (£25) on cheekbones, temples and jaw line. This with give you a natural sun kissed glow! 



Eyes 

These are a must have all year round, but in the summer I couldn't live without them. They are a smudge and crease proof creamy formula that can be used on their own or as a primer under a powder eyeshadow. 
They come in a whole range of colours and are so simple to apply. I use MAC 217 blending brush and sweep across the lid. 
My favorite shade to use on their own are
Vintage Selection
Indianwood 
Construcavist 
Bare study
These are all gorgeous shimmery colours and make your eyes pop in a matter of seconds. 

If you are a fan of powder eyeshadows I would recommend using either Soft ochre, Painterly or Groundwork (depending on your skin tone) before you apply your powder eyeshadow. These with keep it put and stop it from creasing. 

Water proof eyeliner and mascara are an absolute staple for hot weather. 
I always opt for waterproof eye products as you know they will stay put all day with out smudging or running down your face! 

I recommend 











Lips

Wearing lipgloss in the sun can be your worst nightmare. Burnt lips are not a good look! So always wear a lipgloss with a SPF in it! 
Here are some examples:






Thanks for reading, would love to know what you guys think 
See you again soon,