“Ooooooooh winter… Winter is here”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eegZZTYw_Rg


Sooooooo who of you used to watch Thumbelina as a child and knows that’s where the title of this blog is… Nope… Just me!?

So it’s official I posted my first fall/Halloween make up tutorial! September came in with a cold wind and I immediately picked up my dark lips snd plum eyeshadows! But not only is autumn here but fashion weeks all over the world are filling our social media feeds! And some of the biggest trends were, harsh contours and beaded faces…

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Now as much as Pat McGrath is a genius and as far as MAC is concerned they are a leading icon in make up but I think I’ll stick to false lashes and blending for now. Other more wearable trends were bold red lips seen on the McQueen, Chanel and Victoria Beckham runways.

And whether it’s a warm or cool eyeshadow its big its blown out and it’s gorgeous.

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But back to the tutorial… So because it was fall and my first one I literally threw everything at it… Blown out smokes and red lips… But in true me fashion as much as I wanted it to be wearable fall it slowly turned into not so wearable Halloween! But here is a full product list of everything that was used..

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Make Up Geek Peach Smoothie

MAC Soba

MAC Texture

MAC Nightmoth

Sleek Flame blusher

Make Up Geek Bitten

Red Cherry lashes in 43 stacked with Kimberely Eyelure lashes

Rimmel Lash accelerator mascara

Anastasia Beverly Hills pomade in Auburn

MAC Prep and Prime highlighting pen in Lightboost

Dior Star foundation in shade 101

Collection2000 Lasting Perfection concealer Fair

Sleek Contour Kit in Fair

MAC Nightmoth lipliner

Rimmel Appocolips Appocoliptic

Top shop Matte Velvet in Ribbon

MAC Warmsoul blusher

So there you have it. A gentle push into Halloween….. Believe me I am just getting started…. You have been warned. If blood and gore is not your thing you might wanna skip the next few tutorials!! But if Halloween is your thing and this full on vampy look quenches your blood thirst make sure to click on the link at the top of the blog and watch the tutorial.

Love you loves. X

 

 

Catching up…

I seem to always start my blogs the same way…. “Sorry it’s been a while” but genuinely…. With each new project I set myself it tightens my time for everything else! So, sorry it has been a while but I’m finally getting a few days to catch up with all my social media.

It’s been a few YouTube videos since I blogged about them, so I thought I’d do a quick catch up and feature a few key products.

The brow video I filmed just after my trip to America, and considering the damage I did to the Anastasia Beverly Hills counter I couldn’t not. Some of the key products I used were the ABH pomade, brow wiz and duo powder. The pomades are a cream based product to give a stronger shaped brow, waterproof and extremely pigmented its a favourite in my book. Next up is the Brow wiz. So many cosmetics companies do brow pencils but I find ABH’s are more durable and a thinner pencil to create a sharper shape. As for the powders they’re great, but again there are sooooooo many other equivalents out there, there isn’t much to distinguish it. What I do like is the duo colours it comes with so that you can give your brow more shape rather than one flat colour which gives the really flat drawn on appearance. ABH is always difficult to buy in the UK, so here are some of the companies I rate purchasing from;

http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk

http://www.net-a-porter.com

My next video was a case of all the make up all the time! There’s nothing better than a sharp cat eye! And I’m afraid there’s no amazing wonder tool apart from… Sellotape! If you watch the video you’ll see I use a little amount, stick it to the back of my hand (this is vital unless you wanna pull half your face off with the sellotape when you’re finished). This time I had some new eyeshadows to play with! I recently purchased some new Make up Geek shadows and in this video I used the peach smoothie and cocoa bear. I also used the new Bobbi Brown long wear cream sticks. I used Goldstone as a base and MAC’s new “let’s boogie” shadow. I also discovered a new site which makes it easier to get my hands on Red Cherry lashes which I shall link below too.

http://falseeyelashes.co.uk

My last little exciting find from this video is that New Look have released their own brand of cosmetics! I’ve only bought a few lipsticks but so far I’ve loved every time and it has been gold dust for the price! My particular reach for lipstick at the moment is New Looks Vitamin E lipsticks in Apricot.

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And last but not least I thought I’d go a bit crazy… Colour is never usually my thing but the Colour Chaos palette from Make up Revolution brings it out of me. Pair that with the “Designer purple” eyeliner from MAC and you got yourself a colour pop smokey eye! Most Superdrug stores stock Make up Revolution however their website has waaaaaaaaaads more available so gander at your own peril! If you do make sure to sign up to their email list… They always have such good discount and freebies!

http://www.makeuprevolutionstore.com

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Well there it is… Your new shopping list! The next link is to my channel so if you haven’t already checked it out go on ahead! If you have access to youtube make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on the next StephM.Artistry production.
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCDDLQLjCByQOzciYoHU9azw

Until next time my loves. X

I’m you tubing!!

Yes you read the title right… I’m youtubung!! I know a mass of you have already seen it and to all of you that have thank you soooooo much. The response was incredible. I had so many messages, calls, texts, views and shares and it was so touching. You guys rock!!

So in response to that here’s a written list of all the products and brushes used.

Signature smokey eye

MAC Prolongwear concelear in NW15
MAC Proenza Schouler limited blusher (through brows)
Illamasqua brow gel in brown
Sleek brow setting gel
MAC 208 brush

Morphe brushes Jaclyn Hill palette warm shade
MAC 224 brush
MAC Soba on MAC 217 brush
Rimmel black crayon blended out with MAC 239
MAC Carbon on same brush
MAC Antiqued on 218 brush
(Always use any clean fluffy brush in between when blending)
Collection 2000 liquid blacks liner from the fountain brush it comes with
Eyelure texture lashes in 201
Rimmel mascara in black

L’oreal infallible foundation in 102 vanilla
Real techniques buffing brush
MAC prep and prime highlighting pen in light boost
Collection lasting perfection in shade 2
MAC 133 brush to blend
Chanel soleil de tan in 62 terre spice
MAC 134 brush
MAC limited edition Cinderella mystery princess powder
Bourjois love struck blusher
MAC 129 SH
MAC Studio fix foundation powder in NW20 on MAC 116

MAC Boldly bare pencil
Revlon creme sheen in Creme brûlée

BenNye banana powder on MAC 116

And that’s it…… Ha ha please don’t blame me when you’re shopping list for make up becomes larger than that for food!!

I am in the middle of planning a new video… But it’s too nice outside to be inside filming 😏 so be patient dear ones! Here the link to the original for those that haven’t seen it.

TTFN. x

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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…..

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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.

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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!

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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

Illamasqua helping me out with ma Work face…

Hello!! Welcome to 2015… it’s not really saying Happy New Year so no complaining please!! I am currently sitting under a duvet looking a bit like death warmed up.. having a bad day…. in the middle of winter!! I do have warm brownie so that’s a silver lining. So, my face is in no fit state to model make up and you will just have to make do with some recycled selfies!! However there is a reason to this, over the festive period I popped my Illamasqua cherry and bought a few delicious bits and pieces.

This week was a busy one, right back into wedding season with 3 wedding trials.

Work face numero uno… “Lips and Lashes”

work face 1

Illamsqua brow precision gel

Illamasqua vintage mettalic cream eyeshadow

MAC eyeshadows Emabark

Courdoroy&Carbon

Illamasqua gel liner

Ardell Demi Whispies

Illamasqua Matte Veil

Illamasqua Skin base 2

MAC Prolongwear concelear NW15

MAC Studio Fix Powder NW15

IIlamasqua Blush duo in shade Ambition

Illamasqua creme shimmer in Gleam

MAC Currant&Cranberry lipliners

Work face Numero dos…

work face 2

Illamasqua Precision brow gel

MAC embark (through tail)

Urban decay Naked 2 palette

Foxy, Respect, Snake bite&Blackout

MAC Texture&Embark

MAC Feline Pencil&Barry M Liquid liner

Bourjois Healthy Balance Foundation shade 01

Chanel Bronze universelle

Illamasqua creme shimmer in Gleam

Sleek Contouring Kit in shade light

MAC Warm Soul

Chanel Lipgloss in 141

Work face numero tres…

work face 3

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in soft brown

Anastasia Beverly Hills Chocolate Pomade

Chanel Grenate waterproof liner blended

Make up Revolution Colour Chaos Palette

Needed to&Me three

MAC Texture

Barry M liquid liner

Ardell Demi Whispies

Illamasqua Matte Veil

MAC BB creme compact in light

MAC Prolongwear concealer in NW15

Illamasqua Blush duo Katie&Ambition

MAC Cremesheen glass in Pagoda

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The few bits and bobs that I purchased were a limited edition eyes and brows set. The brow gel is a gorgeous lightweight formula that gives easy blending through the brows. Illamasqua cream eye shadow in Vintage Metallic, packed full of sparkle and a soft mid tone brown. Great for eye shadow base! The liner was a little disappointing as I wanted it to be a little more pigmented… however! Silver lining,it would be great for people that don’t want to strong a liner and could be easily blended and buffed out. Illamasqua Blush Duo in shades Katie and Ambition. “Katie” is an ice pink matte shade that gives a beautiful flush of cold pink cheeks! “Ambition” is a rich rose shade with a shimmer of gold flecks through it for a healthy glow. I was also a lucky chicken an recieved a few samples of Matte veil, Hydra Veil and the legend which is Skinbase. I visited the Carnaby St boutique and have to say recieved the best ever service!! Top marks for Illamasqua!!

I have a few more Blogs up my sleeve… So hold on… bear with me! This year is shaping up to be the biggest one yet for StephM.Artistry so if there are blog gaps please forgive.. But as always thanks for reading and I can’t wait to keep you guys looped in my busy crazy year ahead!!

Ciao for now! x

On the 4th day of Christmas…

“On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me”

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MAC “Keepsakes smokey eye” set

As a make up artist the question I am always faced with is “how do I do a smokey eye?” Well it can’t get much easier than this! This gorgeous make ups bag comes with a light and dark duo eyeshadow, mascara and liner making a smokey eye as easy as 1,2,3!

But move fast as these bad boys are selling out all over the uk!! I’ve even attached the link to make it easier to click and purchase! I’m making this far too easy for you.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/whats_new/13508/New-Collections/Keepsakes-Lip-Eye-Bags/index.tmpl

Fashion forward…

Oh dear… I really have neglected my blog recently! Honestly this year has tested me to the limits. This year has been the real start of StephM.Artistry, with a fully packed diary and even more so for 2015. Things for me have started to become very real! So finding a minute to sit down and start a blog is proving more and more difficult. However I have a few days off (hardy har har) so I thought I’d share with you some of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure to meet and work with recently.

So first of let’s start with the wonderful Ryan Cowie. I thought I’d let him tell you guys a little bit about himself…

“I’m Ryan Cowie and I’m a 21 year old fashion student who will be graduating next June. My brand is inspired by sexy and aggressive women and sci-fi film/mythology. I’d 100% describe myself and my brand as feminist, which is very important to me ♥️ When I graduate I hope to continue with my own label and for it to grow into a massive company like the ones that I’ve grown up loving 🙂 ”

I recently had the pleasure of working with Ryan on his most recent collection. I instantly fell in love with his bold designs. I could see real women with real curves in his pieces and for me this was refreshing! Talented this boy is. For the shoot the pieces had a fab sci-fi  theme with wonderful texture and fabric. Pulling inspiration from Dior’s recent spring catwalk Ryan wanted a bold pink liner which matched the pink accent in some of his pieces.

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I loved this. It was fresh and striking. I also layered pink eyeshadow over lash glue on the models lashed to link with the liner. The images looked fantastic, shot by the amazing Rowena Winram and modelled by the gorgeous Amy Frances Johnson.

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The next designer I had the pleasure of working with was the lovely Helen Greensmith for HelenRuth scarves and here’s her wee biography!

Helen Ruth Scarves Biog

Helen had an ethereal, fairy tale theme for her shoot with woodland animals and autumn being a big feature in her designs. The rich plums caught my eye… being a favourite colour of mine in the winter time! So I went with a rich, dark plum smokey eye with a pop of pink sparkle! Can’t get more fairy tale than that!

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I literally swooned all day over this collection, being a scarf addict, it was like being a child in a sweet shop! Images taken by Stephen Bedford and the designs were wonderfully modelled by Molly Davidson.

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I love working with new people, learning how they developed their skill and why they have a passion for something. There is so much more out there than Topshop and Primark (now don’t get me wrong i love a high street haul as much as the next person!) but there is something so special about owning one of pieces that someone has poured their heart and soul into.

 

Next on my list…CHRISTMAS!! I will (hopefully) be doing my 12 days of Christmas blog… much to your purse strings disgust 🙂 and I have a few other shoots coming up so as always keep your eyes peeled and thanks for reading!

Ciao.x

My bank card doesn’t like my pro card…

Hi everyone,

How are you all? I hope you’re all knee deep in your summer plans and loving some well needed time off!?

Today’s blog is pretty much just a massive shopping list! I recently became a MAC PRO member, one of the great little perks of this is a cheeky 30% off… So as much as this makes me happy it doesn’t for my bank card! I’ve bought a few bits and pieces recently and MAC has produced some amazing new collections, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to show you some of my amazing new finds!

So I did a couple of looks, something to suit everyone. So the first look…

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FACE

Studio Fix NW20; a full coverage foundation that gives a velvet semi matte finish. Great for flawless complexions without a caked appearance.
Prep+Prime in Bright Forecast; this concelear has a warm peach undertone and is perfect for counteracting the blue, dark tones under eye.
Prolongwear concelear NC15; this concelear is literally the bomb! Full coverage but easily blended. I use this to brighten up under the eyes and contour.
Cream colour base in Hush; this is used to give a glossy highlight over the cheekbones and Cupid’s bow.
Maleficent limited sculpting powder (permanent shade replacement “harmony”); this is used as a shadow colour to contour under cheek bones, forehead. Perfect for paler complexions.
Dainty blusher; used on the apples of the cheeks.
Fix plus spray; I tend not to powder with studio fix as it’s a filler coverage so I give myself a fees sprits with this baby leaving the foundation looking dewy and healthy but in placed all day!

EYES Kelly Osbourne limited edition quad (this was a limited palette but there’s always permanent shades similar!)

Prolongwear concelear used to prep the eye area
Femme fetale; used as a “transition” shade in the socket. Using a transition shade brightens up the shadow of the socket and helps blend all other darker colours when trying to create a smokey eye.
Embark; using this shade all over the eyelids no higher than the crease. Use small amounts applied to the lid and buffed out with a clean blending brush for a seamless smokey eye.
Sexy eyes; use from inner to outer corner and blended with Embark to add more smoke!
Lashes are a couple of coats of Barry M Vegas lash and two sets of lashes!
Eyebrows as always are shaped with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow wiz in taupe and pomade in chocolate to fill.

LIPS
Kelly Osbourne limited edition lip liner
Limited edition Colour Play lipglass in lots of laughs

Second look…

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FACE

BB cream compact in shade light; this is really high up on my list of BB creams I’m in love with. Available In lighter shades it applies beautifully and gives a light, fresh coverage.
Prep+Prime in light boost; this is used on all the high points of the face (cheeks, chin, brows, nose) to lightly highlight the face with out too heavy a contour.
Prolong wear concelear; used under eyes as in look 1.
Cream colour base in hush; again used as previously.
Warm soul blusher; used on the edge of the cheekbones and swept upwards, giving a lifted cheek rather than a flush.
Studio Fix powder NW20; to add a but more coverage and a more matte finish over my central areas.

EYES; Kelly Osbourne

Prolongwear concelear is used to prep the eye area. If you’re like me this is great for covering up the redness the eczema leaves on my skin but it also contains an eyeshadow primer!
Femme fetale; this shade is used in the socket, it’s a fantastic warm shade which is perfect for using as a “transition” colour.
Sexy eyes; this is used all over the eye lid. A gorgeous shimmery peach, perfect for all eye colours.
Sweet eyes; a perfect highlighting shade used in the corner of the eye and brow bone.
Embark; is blended underneath the eye with a little bit of Femme fetale.

Lashes and brows are as above!

LIPS

Sharon Osbourne limited edition Cranberry lip liner
Kelly Osbourne limited lipstick in Strip Poker

Holiday make up bags and blues…

Hello all! Once again I’ve been lacking on this bit… I had planned to write a few on holiday next to the pool 😊 but that didn’t happen!

I’m always apologising for not keeping up with blogs and before I get stuck into the real blog, I thought I’d give you an insight to “behind the scenes” of my profession. Regular things I have to do on a daily basis. People see the pretty pictures of the aftermath of my job but not everything leading up to it.

So for example I came home last week to a mountain of emails, all of which have to be replied to… And then when they reply, I reply again and so on and so forth, you get the picture. All of these inquiries are usually replied to with a brochure depending on what aspect of my job they have inquired about. Then if all goes well and things are booked, deposits need to be invoiced and all information has to be noted and trials booked. So one email conversation with a potential bride can take a whole day. Try doing the likes of 5 at the same time! When I’m working I’m not exactly the tidiest (ask my mum) so my kit constantly needs cleaned, especially my brushes which are cleaned with instant spray inbetween clients but are bathed with a gentle shampoo after each working day. (This is mostly for hygiene but I also find the instant spray doesn’t clean as well and the brushes become greasy and clogged.) I have between 50-70 brushes… 😳. I also don’t always take everything with me (I have boxes and boxes of make up under my bed… I don’t think brides would appreciate prosthetic skin and fake blood) so my kits have to be swapped around, making sure I have the adequate tools for the job at hand. I update my social media every day. So this takes time to plan some of the things I want to put up and share with you guys, planning blogs, doing my make up, new items I have purchased etc. I have all my paperwork to keep up with. Invoices, expenses. Constantly keeping up to date with my online portfolio and website. Ordering all my “bits”….. You wouldn’t believe how many cotton bud, wipes and lashes I go through! After every trial I also face chart everything and this can take a really long time to do a whole wedding party if it’s 6 people. I also do a lot of recon.. like watching other artists on YouTube, I find this teaches me new techniques. Gives me things to try and keeps me fresh at my job. I like to constantly keep my mind interested. Finding images that inspire me that I can work on for my next shoot.

Even a simple selfie can take up a bit of time…. And on top of all of this I can sometimes do anything between 5 (rare) and 15 (more likely) make ups in a weekend, all the travel involved and I won’t even go into how long it takes me to do my make up… All these things I do in a week… But I wouldn’t change my job for the world. My professional Facebook page has just hit 900 likes and it’s moments like these that put all of this at the back of my mind. However… It does make me appreciate a holiday!

So.. I just got back from Ibiza! I did nothing but lie next to the pool, eat, drink, read and soak up the sun. It was bliss.. I actually locked my phone in the safe and didn’t even look at it! And I know it will be all of your turn soon so I thought you might like a few pointers and see what was in my holiday make up bag!?

I have a few holy grail make up items I take with me on holiday. One of them being the Estée Lauder day wear sheer tint. This little lovely is great for poolside, I’ve spoken about it before but it gives you a gorgeous hint of colour without being too heavy to sit in the sun by the pool. I could never be without my bronze universal on holiday. I take a lot of cream products with me as I find powder products can be really obvious in bright sunlight and appear cakey. I always take vitalumiere with me on holiday. I love the healthy shine it gives my skin (however if it’s humid I prefer double wear/double wear light… That little babies don’t budge). And a new little gem that has planted itself in my kit is the Daniel Sandler watercolour blush. I recently discovered these and there was no doubt in my mind this little gem was coming on holiday with me. I took shade “chic” a gorgeous rose gold bronze colour, perfect for that healthy bronzed look. And did I mention it’s waterproof?? And of course my Ben Nye banana powder and trusty MAC mini fix spray to set it all in place! Heat smudged make up be gone!

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When I’m on holiday, I don’t tend to wear much make up on my eyes. I always have a few sets of lashes and ALWAYS my eye lash curlers as I don’t like masacara at the best of times, but eye make up is always on the minimum. However this year I had just got my hands on the new Sharon Osborne collection for MAC and I couldn’t resist.. I do have another blog coming on this so more info on that later.

I do ALWAYS have new bright lipsticks… For me that’s a staple to any holiday make up bag! My wee favourites that came with me this year were Dynamo lip liner by Mac, Chanel Rouge Allure Matte in number 46 (I promise I didn’t just buy it for the number… It was fate!) and YSL rouge volupté shine in number 12.

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It really is difficult trying to keep make up on in the sun, if you want things to stay on ideally you would go for matte but personally thick textures just do not go down well in the sun so here are my tips for any one else out there that’s mad like me and has a full face the whole holiday!

1. Wear light layers to buildup a full make up rather than one thick layer.

2. When you have a tan try not wearing foundation but lighter sheer tints, BB creams and cream bronzers.

3. A good concealer… But that’s a top tip for any make up!!

4. Cream not powder. (Loose powder doesn’t count 😊)

5. Wear bright warm colours, the sun will compliment them!

6. Use a fix spray! Use a generous amount of powder, allow to soak in to the skin for a good couple of minutes and then a good couple of sprays of your fixing spray. Urban decay “all nighter” spray also comes highly recommended.

I know I’ve just come home but I’m so jealous if you’re going away! (112 days until Malaysia!!!!) Wherever you go be safe and have fun!

Ciao for now.