“On the Fourth Day of Christmas…”

“My True Love gave to me…” 

 

The Becca “Glow on the go” gift set! 

Nobody does highlighting quite like Becca, and since their massive collaboration with Jaclyn Hill “Champagne Pop” everybody wants that Becca glow! 

And because you can never have enough highlighter (no seriously) this set gives you their bestselling Opal highlighter in a liquid and powder form!! 

Liquid highlighters are great for that soft quick on the glow rose glow! (Try saying that 10 times fast) and powders are for when you want that real beacon of light! 
This fantastic set is available at BeautyBay.com and all for an amazing £20! 

More make up??

Yes.. Is the answer to that, I’ve been buying more make up!

So I thought I’d do a wee review of some of the bits and bobs that have really tickled my fancy…

First off the bargains…

Collection 2000 have rebranded as just Collection and have revamped a lot of their make up and definitely upped their game! These pallets have 5 shades and and are colour coordinated to make choosing shades so much easier. 3 different palettes, 3 different looks…

From left to right, I used the “Nude Grey”palette to create this winged cat eye. I used shades “under the moon”, “drift wood” and “eclipse” on the lid and shade “under the moon” as a transitions shade in the socket. Both the liquid and pencil liners are both Collection too. Next up I used the “Nude” palette to create a blown out smokey eye. I used shade “chocolate milk” as the main transition shade, with “brown sugar” on a denser brush in the socket to deepen the crease, “espresso” was used all over the lid and underneath to create that deep smoke. Lastly I used “nude bronze” palette to create a spotlight smokey eye. Both corners of the lid were densely packed with “golden brown” and blended through the socket with “ember”. Using shade “ochre” I packed that on the centre of the lid to create the spotlight and lastly I finished off with “nutty” on the bottom lid.

These shadows are great, a real creamy texture (if a powder can be??). However they aren’t densely packed and you do get a lot of fall out but if you do your eyes first that’s no biggy deal right?? I would recommend using a primer or a concealer to base the eyelid to give the shadows better grip too. And why did these tickle me so much you ask…. All three sets came to under £10…… Yeah I’m gonna let that just sink in.

Next up is the stinger… I had to write about it because they were just too beautiful not too…

The Cinderella collection for MAC was literally one of the and will be one of the biggest collections to hit the stores this year! The online launch sold out within hours. I was at the MAC store for 8.50 am and the collection had sold out by 9.20 am… The doors opened at 9am. I was lucky enough to purchase the last available “Mystery Princess” powder in Aberdeen. And now having one I would have killed for one now knowing what I would have been missing! The powder is just beautiful, it’s not a full on highlighter but it’s not matte and just makes the skin radiate! I’m a big fan of MAC soft and gentle highlighter and unlike that it just makes the skin glow without that frosted highlighted effect. And as if that wasn’t enough the blusher “coupe d’chic” is a soft coral rose colour with chunks of sparkle that really give your skin that Cinderella moment. The lipstick “royal ball” is a soft blush nude shade, a great one for the summer tans!! And a great creamy texture to make wearing nudes easier.

So that concludes my current spending! But just you wait… StephM.Artistry hits America in 3 weeks!! And our hotel is in a mall… A mall that so happens to have an ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS STORE!!!!!! So just you wait my lovelies!!

I am also just a few weeks away from my 3rd anniversary… I still have to pinch myself that this has worked. If I’m being truly honest I thought 3 years ago I might get to do this for a year and probably have to go back to work. I always say I’m so lucky but really I have worked so hard to achieve my dreams. Each day is a struggle and has new problems but it will still never dull how proud of myself I am. But all of my hard work wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the word of mouth and support every single one of you give me. I really can not and will ever be able thank you enough. I owe my life to all of you.

Right enough of all the sentimental stuff.. Enjoy the blog! Ciao.x

A beautiful day for a wedding…

Hello all!

I know I’ve never written a blog about a particular wedding before however…. Yesterday was a first for me. Shelley first called me to help her on her wedding day just like any other bride but Shelley needed an Indian bridal make up. I jumped at the chance as there is a massive difference. hence the blog…

Most brides I meet want that traditional glowing bride look, bridal make up for me is all about glowing skin (highlighter and blush are go!) big fluffy lashes (Demi whispies all the way) and looking a much more polished version of yourself (your man doesn’t want to see someone else walking down the isle towards him). With Indian bridal this is all flipped on its head. Big smokey eyes are the main focus, gorgeous shimmers and densely lined flicks. Lips are a deep red or oxblood so for a makeupartist this is a dream. As was Shelley…..

And here’s how I achieved the look. For Shelley’s eyes I used warm rose gold tones from the Jaclyn Hill Palette as her skin tone and hair were naturally warmer and dark Browns like embark from MAC and plums MAC Twinks to intensify the socket. The eyes were lined with Barry m liquid liner and MAC feline pencil then softened with urban decay blackout. The lashes were Ardell Demi’s. As always brows were Anastasia Beverly Hills pomade in blonde and a mix of chocolate through the tail.

The skin was prepped with a light layer of MAC Studio Fix in NC20, I then contoured with the MAC “medium” pro conceal and correct palette. Collection 2000 lasting perfection concelaer and MAC prep and prime in light boost was used under eyes. To bronze and highlight I used MAC gold deposit and soft and gentle along with illamasqua blush in Katie. Lips were Shelley’s own as a gift from her future husband… (Queue awwwwww)

Shelley’s dress, a top and skirt combination is called a lehenga, the veil was longer than her in height and probably weighed more than her with all the intricate beading and velvet lining. Adorned in jewels along with her ‘Tika’ headpiece and henna patterned hands and feet it was literally the most beautiful thing I’ve seen and took all her bridal party plus lucky me to get her ready!

What a weekend to kick off wedding season!! I had the beautiful Sarah and Gary on the Saturday and equally beautiful Shelley and Resal. I wish both couples all the happiness in their married life. I am so proud to say that over 40 brides have chosen me to be a part of their big day this year. Making it my busiest wedding season yet. It’s always an honour when a woman chooses you to be a part of that special day, be it from bridesmaid to make up artist so this is to say thank you to each and every one of you. I’m soooo looking forward to seeing you all.

Until next time… x

Courage and contouring…

Hello hello!

I hope you are all well, things still remain busy busy at StephM.Artistry (not that I’m complaining😊) but this weekend took a bit of an emotional turn for me and so before we get to the fun stuff I wanted to share with you all 6 amazing women I had the pleasure of spending yesterday with.

From left to right let me introduce you to Janet, Gill, Tina, Lisa, Sandra and Katy… 6 of the most incredible women I have had the pleasure working with. Yesterday I volunteered, helping backstage, for Friends of Anchor at their Courage on the Catwalk. These women are recovering cancer patients and to mention a few of their stories will show you just how brave they are. Sandra has had 3 cancer diagnoses. Gill, her mum and dad were all diagnosed within 6 months of each other. Katy is celebrating her 19th birthday this Friday after being diagnosed last year. I know… Friends of Anchor is such a good cause raising over £60,000 yesterday. This goes towards researching cancer treatments and even simple things such as tea and cake to make these women smile while they receive their treatments. Yesterday was the most fun. I spent the day laughing, cuddling and sobbing… And maybe a little bit of make up-ing…

Right, now you’re all crying along with me! I wanted to go a little bit more into depth regarding a wee contouring video I did recently. For those of you who do not follow me on Facebook or Instagram where the video was featured see links below;

https://www.facebook.com/pages/StephMArtistry/175542622557392?ref=tn_tnmn

@stephmartistry on Instagram

Contouring is really popular right now (hey, who doesn’t want amazing cheekbones??) and that video shows my favourite way of contouring.

Step 1 I apply my regular foundation, just a small amount to act as a base. Right now I’m using YSL le teint touché éclat and I am loving it
Step 2 is my under eye concealer, I use MAC Prolongwear in NC15 it’s a shade/2 shades lighter than my skin so it brightens and this stuff totally sticks under the eye it’s the shiz…
Step 3 I like using the MAC prep and prime in light boost to highlight all the high points on my face… Generally the cheekbones, over my brow bones, over my t-zone, Cupid’s bow, chin and jaw line.
Step 4 I add a foundation that is two shades darker than my skin and this goes where I want natural shadow, so along my hair line, under my cheek bones and bottom lip.
Step 5…. I blend like a mo fo!! (Real techniques expert brush is great)

At this point, as all products I have used have been cream/liquid based, it makes everything much easier to blend making it look really natural. These next steps are for those that are a bit more like me.. All the make up… All the time!

Step 6… I use a powder bronzer on a smaller powder brush and really carve the cheekbones to add more sculpting.
Step 7 and I use the Nars albatross highlighter to go over all the high points.

I add my regular blusher and powder (Dainty by MAC and Ben Nye loose in cameo) and hey presto… Cheek bones ahoy!

You can change the effect using these steps too. Depending on how dramatic you want the contour to be can depend on how dark and light you go with your light and shadow colours(see below). But using creams to contour makes it so much easier.

I hope this helps, I always love sharing these little tit bits with you so if there is anything you would like to particularly see just holla! I’m working on a brow one as I know this is something one or two of you are interested in 😉

Until next time! 💜

A bright and rosy Christmas….

Hello and Happy New year!! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas!? I’m just recovering from mine! My favourite part of Christmas is when it’s all over and I can properly play with all the lovely things generous people gifted me!

I got so many wonderful make up and beauty items I thought I’d do a quick blog on them.

We’ll start off with the absolute hit Jo malone got! Between my wonderful mum, sister and boyfriend my body and room shall be smelling gorgeous!

My favourite scents Pomegranate Noir, Peony & Blush Suede and Red Roses… See a pattern developing?

I have sooooo much make up but most of it is my kit, so when people buy me make up just for me I get so excited! So opening these little gems on Christmas Day got me more than a little excited!

This gorgeous Nars palette comes with four of their most popular blushes, highlighters and contours. And the Chanel bronzer is a healthy glow powder which can be used to give the face a bit of colour or used more intense it is my favourite contour cosmetic!! The brush is slightly curved to make sure you get the shape of your cheek just right!

And MAC got a hit too… Snaps go out here to my boyfriend and the MAC assistant… The first colour that caught my eye is a gorgeous slightly shimmery plum, their best seller “sketch”. There’s an awesome highlighter “crystal avalanche”,a self explanatory “bronze” will match my eye colour perfectly and a matte brown “courdoroy” to do my eyebrows with! And to complete that look their best selling masacra. I couldn’t hep do a little demo for you guys with these…

And saving the best till last… I think the 12 days of Christmas paid off…

My boyfriend got me the Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood palette!!!!!!!

It’s absolutely gorgeous, a good balance of matte, sparkle, light and dark and all the colours have good pay off!

Now I haven’t done demos with all my make up because…. I am thinking of doing video tutorials… (Eek) I hate myself on video so this is massive for me but I’ve had a few people ask me about this and if you guys want it you guys can have it…. I want you guys to tell me if this is something you’ll watch, you’ll enjoy and what you guys would like to see?

So as always thanks for taking the time to read this and let me know what you think.
Ciao!!

On the sixth day of Christmas…

“On the Sixth Day of Christmas my True Love gave to me”…

The gorgeous limited edition Lancôme highlighter “White Snow”. This is another gorgeous seasonal limited edition and collectors item. The highlighter actually packs a punch and gives a gorgeous rose glow to the skin. Great for those perfectly sculpted cheek bones and that extra Christmas party touch to legs and arms!
The whole lancome Christmas collection is incredibly sparkly (including a fully sparkly hypnosis masacra!!) and seasonal so click below to browse!

http://www.lancome.co.uk/_en/_gb/makeup/exclusive-collections/christmas-2013/blush-highlighter-limited-christmas-edition-28901v.aspx#lcat=Cross-sell02_ViewedItem

We’re half way there now, it’s time to up the anti… Stay tuned for the big girls…No more stocking fillers!