Make Up For Ever and Ever!

Most MUA's are in need of super duper performance from their make up products; lasting, heavily pigmented and if possible, waterproof!
Make Up For Ever is known for all three and more which is why they are such a firm favourite for us Make Up peeps, especially for TV work, which is why I'm showing off my small selection of Aqua Creams purchased from my local make up store last year, Guru Make Up Emporium, because I've been testing these out for an upcoming TV show (which I can't mention).
These really do last the distance and are extremely versatile as they can be applied to eyes, buffed onto cheeks, mixed in with foundations or worn on lips and waterproof they are too.  Another added bonus is that a very little goes and very long way, so hurrah, although £17.50 might seem a lot, they make a good beauty kit investment and you cannot beat a little staying power.

Asian Beauty: Ginvera Whitening Marvel Gel.

If you're curious about the influx of Asian skincare recently and feel a bit BB Cream crackered out, then why not focus on Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel which sloughs off dead skin cells, rubs away blackheads and evens out the skintone with brightening ingredients that diminish freckles and pigmentation allowing your complexion to go 'back to skin you were born with'.

The gel acts fast onto dry pre-cleansed skin when rubbed in circular motions, flakes appear of skin debris especially when concentrating around a congested T-Zone. Once massaged in (around eyes if you wish) water can be applied to achieve a brightening effect to skin, then rinsed off thoroughly with more water.
They claim that when used daily skin feels 'baby' soft, clear of blocked pores and after long term use will lighten blemishes, though I would recommend using twice a week to begin with, then up to three or four times instead of an exfoliant or alternate with your regular gentle exfoliant for sensitive skins.

!!! Now available at www.gurumakeupemporium.com !!!

De-potting Dior!

I feel like a weight has been lifted, in more ways than one.  I decided only last week to de-pot my very much loved Dior 5 Colour eye shadows compacts because, er, I haven't found them very compact in my work kit.
I have a number of favourite Dior and Guerlain compacts I regularly use on photoshoots, tv commercial and events that are packaged beautifully and always get a 'oooh', 'ahhh' response from clients but carrying my pretty eye colours have added a little too much weight and with my endless effort to downsize to a more efficient kit I had to bite the bullet and purchase a Scotty's Black Magnetic Palette from what is evidently becoming my second home, Guru Emporium!

A few nights ago, I watched a few tutorials particularly on removing Dior colours, chatted with Z Palette on Twitter and felt a lump in my throat at the thought of possibly destroying these beauty gems I'd grown so fond of.  My plan was to buy Z Palette, this seemed to be the most popular choice and I liked the clear cover, which I knew would be a time saver but during my visit to Guru I noticed only small versions that might only fit one compact.  I came across Scotty's Palette, this seemed much the same thing, although approximately £5 more than Z Palette but with empty metal pans.  Oh well, being slightly impatient about these things I bit that bullet and headed home with a Scotty's palette to remove the outer casing of each compact one by one.

I planned to do the hair straightener trick, this seemed simple enough on the first attempt.  I used a very small sharp knife to prize the metal pans, easy peasy!  I then tried this without heating the inner case, JOY, they came out quite easily, in fact, I did not destroy one eye colour, OVERJOYED!

I must admit the Guerlain compacts were certainly tricky and took more prizing and patience but all in all I am chuffed with the my new palette and now keen to muster up the patience to create a blush palette!

The Big Brush Blog Post!

'Tools of the trade' is a term used a lot and to a Make Up Artist, this is not just a throw away comment or something of a gimmick, it can define you as an artist.
From a young age I've had a close connection with art and in my early years I played with mediums from oils to charcoal, pastels to watercolour, the brushes or techniques used were at times traditional or experimental and I found my strength grew with watercolour and ink.  I loved the fluidity of the wash of colour and the intense outlines from the inks.  The bonus was that I could work quickly, whether I was rambling through forests or along coastlines or even sat in a tropical hideaway, I would have time to create a loose impression of anything that captured my eye.

Roll on quite a hefty handful of years as a Make Up Artist, my brushes feel like an extension of my hand which help to create line, washes of colour, intensity and depth, angles and most of all create or enhance beauty.  I have wanted to write a post about brushes for some time though I've felt a little stuck as to how to explain how to use brushes; how can one define the touch or pressure of another. Impossible for me, therefore, I am showing you tools I like, that are recent additions to my kit and why I like them.  Happy reading!

Left to Right with click throughs:  Shisedo Eyelash Curler, Revlon Blush Brush (I use as Powder Brush mainly), Make Up For Ever 55N Powder/Foundation Brush, Cozzette P300 Angled Foundation Brush, Mii Precise Concealer Brush (often used as Lip Brush), Chanel Brow/Lash Brush, Smashbox Angle Brow Brush No.12,  Guru No. 5 Blending Brush, Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush F (Flat), Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M (Rounded), Suqqu Cheek Brush, Suqqu Lip Brush L

The Eyelash Curlers: I know that everyone recommends Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers, which are indeed award winning, however, I've found I love the grip and pressure of the Shisedo ones which I've used for over ten years and gather there might not be much difference in it.  I've recently tried the Suqqu ones which I find too tight, though maybe in time they will feel right.

The Powder/Blush Brush: Revlon have revamped their brush range with the help of backstage genius, Gucci Westman, with all the will in the world to make a pro-like brush kit as possible.  They are not far off, though it is a shame the handles are so short, nevertheless, these synthetic brushes hold up well.   The Blush Brush is a superb size for a flush of blush or light dusting of powder to finish.

The Powder/Foundation Brush: I'm pleased to say Make Up For Ever have once again hit my radar, particularly this popular flat top style brush for an airbrushed effect.  I like the size and firmness from the mix of Goat and Nylon hair, plus the fact it doesn't moult like other brands (I shan't mention) that are on the market.  I can lightly buff on a liquid or cream foundation, even mineral powders to achieve a soft veil of coverage.

The Angled Foundation Brush: Not only is this Cruelty/Vegan Free and a good looking brush to say the least, the Cozzette has been a welcome addition to my brush roll.  I have always been a fan of the Cover FX synthetic and natural foundation brushes, No.170 Precision Foundation Brush and No.160 Cream Foundation Brush and continue to use these, though what with the ever changing face of foundations I feel I can cover more ground with speed, around contours of the face, with the Cozzette P300 with the help of its angled design.

The Concealer Brush (or is it?): I rarely use this as a concealer brush but when I do the precision is there and most definitely works for clever concealing around the eyes, however I think the Mii brush works as a decent lip brush! The gentle tip assists with ease around the lip line so too the firmness of the brush for extreme colour application.

The Brow/Lash Brush:  These types of brushes really haven't moved on and when I get the chance I'd like to redesign them.  However, over the years I have destroyed many of these brow/lash brushes as they cannot withstand pressure or bend too easily and fail to retain their stiffness.  I find Chanel have a good enough design to take the pressure plus the sturdy handle means its unlikely to get chucked in the bin any time soon.

The Angled Brow Brush: I cannot tell you how much I am a brow person.  The thought of plucking someone's brows into shape excites me (yes, I must get out more) but brows really do frame the face and can make or break a look.  This brush is such a winner, as well as being able to fill in brows whilst retaining softness, I can steady the brush to draw in an immediate arch effortlessly. This is most certainly a gem and worth every penny!

The Blending Brush: As much as I am technical, I don't always like a brush to be labelled as 'blending', 'socket' brush.  Obviously, you choose a brush to achieve results and being experimental about it helps  to create individual style!  This Guru Blending Brush blends well into the eye area and sockets in a heart beat and at times I find I use it for pressing in eye colour, even glitters, quickly onto eye lids and sometimes for highlighting the brow bone.

The Flat Eyeshadow Brush: This is a supersoft brush, as all Suqqu brushes are, with quite a few uses one being cream eyeshadow, second being pressed eyeshadow to achieve a smooth, even finish and with its flat design glides along the lower lash line very well.  I have used this as a concealer brush too!

The Rounded Eyeshadow Brush: A rounded brush such as this is superb for sockets and softening eyeshadow as well as cream eyeshadow around the eye shape.  I find Suqqu brushes exceptionally soft, easy to clean and although they are not cheap, I can bet they will be in my kit for at least ten years.

The Blusher Brush: The Suqqu Cheek brush has become a talking point.  I use this on almost every make up job and without fail once it is touching someone's cheeks they declare the softness is second to none.  I think the brush itself is so small it most likely just tickles cheeks but saying that I do get a lovely natural, contoured colour to cheeks.

The Lip Brush: In recent years lip brushes all seemed to be much of a much, quite rounded or have ridiculous points which never held up after once wash making me reach for eye liner or concealer brushes, so when I acquired my Suqqu Lip Brush, I felt a sigh of relief, it looks, feels and is a lip brush.  I like the flat top which I can work around a lip line for a perfect line, especially for the ever popular 'red lip'.  The price I do not know but I imagine it to be at the higher end, though I must insist the natural hair is exquisite and has not lost it's shape.