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!
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.
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.
stephmartistry 