Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!

A couple of weeks ago, Benefit invited me along to an event in Glasgow to launch it's latest foundation offering - Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow.  Yup, a bit of a mouthful that one.

It was interesting to hear that Benefit as a brand actually started off in Glasgow before spreading throughout the UK, so it seems Scottish shores have a special meaning for the company.  That aside, we were given a demo of the new foundation by the wonderful Head Artist, Lisa - which in a change to Benefit's regular line, is a liquid foundation.  This excited me, I pretty much only use liquid or 'wet' foundations so to speak so I was looking forward to giving it a go.

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow comes in more shades than what Benefit normally offer with 9 shades varying in light, medium and dark.  I was matched to 'I'm so money ... honey' which is just about right for me when I am fake tanned.  It is said to provide a light to medium coverage, is oil free and contains an SPF25.

It comes in a frosted clear bottle which is handy for keeping tabs on your supply and it has an absolute godsend for all foundations - an application pump! Honestly, all foundation packaging should come with a pump.  As a foundation liquid, it is quite runny in consistency which I usually associate with low coverage and reduced wear time.

Despite my initial reservations, I have actually fallen in love with this foundation.  Personally I feel it's coverage leans more on the medium side as opposed to light but this is ideal for what I am after.  It is easy to apply with tools or with your hands and creates a soft, subtle dewiness to the skin without making it look greasy or oily.  It gives a natural, fresh glow to the skin.  It blends beautifully and from what I have noticed there is little to no fragrance.  For me, it lasts a full day of work with no touch ups at all although I can't be certain this will be the same for all skin types (I am normal/combination fyi).

My only negative is the SPF properties creates a little bit of flashback with the camera but not enough to stop me wearing on a night out.  I think its a wonderful spring/summer foundation for those of us who hate to go without a base even in warmer weather.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow is available now priced at £24.50

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SHIMMER TWINS

If you are looking for some bad lashes to rock your world... then look no further than Shimmer Twins!

Launched in December 2011, Shimmer Twins Treasure Lashes are the ultimate in party lashes whether you be raving, moshing or glamming it up with the girls on a Saturday night! 

AMAZING!

After being sent a couple of Shimmer Twins Treasure Lashes samples I am absolutely in love and will be stocking up for my professional kit as well as keeping some faves aside for myself.  The lashes are created by celebrity Make-Up Artist Holly Sillius who originally made some bespoke lashes for a 'lash' party.  The collection evolved after she started making them for others including for music videos and festivals and now her own line of amazing and dramatic eyewear. 

The brand itself has a super cool image with Jaime Winstone as the face of the brand and having already been featured on the cover of style Bible,  iD Magazine.  They have also found themselves quite the celebrity following with the likes of Caroline Flack and the X Factor contestants all being fans! 

Jaime Winstone

Treasure Lashes come in a range of plain lashes (rrp £8) or creative (rrp £15).  The creative lashes are pretty much amazeballs ... there, I said it! (hate that expression) but they so are! From gold star lined lashes to iridescent pink hearts, they are loud, vivacious and scream GLAMMA!

You can buy Shimmer Twin lashes at ASOS and Urban Outfitters.  Keep posted for some future face of the days featuring Shimmer Twins, I just can't wait to get a night out wearing the gold star lashes.  I think they will look wicked! 

What do you make of Shimmer Twins? 

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Swing, Sing and Shine with Swarovski

The Swarovski lookbook landed on my doorstep this week and for a magpie like me, turning each page was met with 'ahhhs', 'oohs' and 'want that one!'.

Swarovski's spring/summer 2012 collection "Swing, Sing and Shine' is a tribute to vintage styling and an ode to the lights, camera and action of the entertainment world.  Creative Director Nathalie Colin uses the collection to tell the story of a young woman as she evolves from a student to that of a starlet becoming accustomed to fame and the limelight.  The collection takes us through themes using pastel colours and shapes associated with the swinging 'sweet sixties' and the glamour of 'in the spotlight'.

I adore the the mix of colour, texture and material used in this collection from the bright gems of the Rainbow Earrings, the pearl and fabric mix of the Ribbon Necklace and the masculinity of the Motaigne chain necklace.

Rainbow Earrings

Ribbon Necklace

Monochrome: Montaigne Necklace (Want this!!)

Monochrome: Remix Bracelet

Vintage Glamour: Reception Bracelet - perfect for a Bride!

 So many stunning item.  I feel like this collection is bigger and better than ever before.  There is something to suit all tastes, whether you are preparing for a school prom, your perfect wedding day or simply looking for some gorgeous statement pieces for everyday wear.

What I also didn't realise is that Swarovski also have Hello Kitty and Disney collections.  I know how many of you love a little bit of kitsch in your life so thought I would includes some examples of the fun yet glamorous and chic offering from Swarovski.

Hello Kitty Chic Earrings

Hello Kitty Glamour Necklace 

Disney Thorn Rose Ring

Asides the stunning jewellery and sparkly bits and bobs, I was quite taken by the imagery used in the 'Swing, Sing and Shine' in particular the make up (naturally).  Graphic Fluoro pink liner accentuated the shape of the models eye on an otherwise neutral lips and cheek.

Front cover of lookbook

Does anything take your fancy then?  I love a good old browse round a Swarovski store in all it's sparkling glory.  Think I will go in and take a look at some of these items in the flesh,  after all my birthday is only a few months away ;)

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Vintage Tea Party Hen Night at Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms

Not long back, I had an exciting opportunity to work with Kirsty at her gorgeous tea rooms in the West End of Glasgow.  The Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms regularly plays host to exclusive vintage tea party hen dos and I was asked if I would be interested in creating some vintage make up looks for the gaggle of hens.

It sounded like a fun evening so I signed up straight away.  On the evening around 15-20 girls turned up and were treated to a tea party of cakes and scones and tea cups filled with their poison of choice, probably not tea.  While 2 hair sylists tended to the locks of the hen party, it was up to me to give the girls vintage makeovers.  It was impossible to get round everyone in a short space of time but I was able to makeover most of the hen party and a few touch ups for the other girls.  Most of the girls wanted a vintage pin up look with red lips and big lashes.

Louise Bichan, a fabulous photographer based in Glasgow was on hand to document the evening in her unique style.  Here are some of the images she sent me this week.

If you would like to find out more about Vintage Tea Party hen nights, contact Kirsty at the Hidden-Lane Tea Rooms on 0141 433 1240.


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BY TERRY LIGNE BLACKSTAR

I rarely leave the house without eyeliner, preferably of the black kind.  I sometimes venture into navy or deep browns but most days black is my friend.

My eye seems to look naked without liner but my problem with black is that it doesn't do the 'natural' look very well.  And sometimes, just sometimes, I would like a less made up look.

This brings me to By Terry's liquid liner Ligne Blackstar.  I was sent this to review and although excited by the fact I was getting to try out some By Terry for the first time, the fact I was sent a liner in the shade 'GREY MOTION' severely disappointed.

When was I ever going to wear grey eyeliner, I thought to myself.  This product lay for weeks and weeks before I even picked it up to try out.  I was convinced it wasn't for me but then I put my colour reservations aside and decided to go ahead and review anyway.  Of course, I would still be able to critique it's pigmentation, application and lasting abilities despite my hatred of how it might look on me.

Using fountain pen technology, with a slim brush shaped like a felt tip and housed in a sleek silver packaging, By Terry Ligne Blackstar doesn't necessarily stand out from other liquid tip liners.  Where it differs is not in it's smooth and easy application made so by it's design or that it lasts the full day (that's 8 hours of a work day to you and me) without requiring a touch up but it's the fact that after daily use of it in the last 2 weeks, it still hasn't dried out.  Every day I expect to have to apply a little more pressure to see the end result but no, it's going strong.  I realise it's only a couple of weeks but I literally expected it to dry up within days.

Now lets discuss 'Grey Motion'.  Applied to the eye this shade of grey gives a subtle definition that maintains the glam factor without looking too 'done'.  It's the type of liner I could apply to go to the gym, climb a hill or catch the red eye without looking like I had spent hours in front of the mirror.  There really is nothing worse when people give disapproving looks at your made up face will slogging out a 5k round the block 10 times with a MAC Fluidline Winehouse flick!

Still visible and creating definition to the eye after 8+hours of wear

So too, I have found this a perfect option for work.  I still look polished and presentable without having my eyes appear heavily made up with black liner.  This means I can save my dark liner for occasions where I like my make up to pack a real punch! In fact, this liner is so easy to use, I think I will probably ending up buying it in black too.

It looks like I am convert, grey is definitely a winner for a natural, sophisticated look without always having to look like the make up junkie I actually am!  By Terry Ligne Blackstar is available in 5 shades, including black, at Space NK. RRP £25.

Could grey be the new black?

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Tempting

The make up I chose to wear in yesterdays post was a little bit inspired by the Olsen twins smokey look that they have been rocking for ions.  I toned it down for day wear so it wasn't as deep and intense as some of their more recent dramatic looks.

-Insert ancient but gorgeous photo of Olsen Twins-

- Insert posey in the manky bathroom mirror photo of moi-

I STILL haven't cleaned the mirror! minger.

I used 2 of my very favourite MAC shadows to create the look, Tempting and Twinks.  Tempting is a lovely shade which is very similar to Woodwinked (another favourite) but slightly less intense.  It's a golden bronze with a slight shimmer, super pigmented and is fabulous to use as there is little to no fall out from it!

I started layering products starting with MAC Patina then applied and blended Tempting at the outer corner.  To add some depth I used Twinks, a rusty brown, in the outer v which also really helped 'lift' the look and avoided a flat bronze appearance.

Face: Chanel Pro Lumiere
Cheeks: Benefit Hoola, MAC Sun&Moon
Eyes: MAC Patina, Tempting, Twinks; MAC Smouler liner; Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 liner;  Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara
Lips: No7 Nude lipliner; Tom Ford Lip colour in Blush Nude; Estee Lauder gloss in Twilight Petal

I really love wearing this kind of smokey eye and it was a welcome return of the nude lip for me.  I was never truly sold on a nude lip but I think having a break from constant images of nude lips on other blogs has made it a nice change to try on myself.

Lots of you have been asking questions about my hair colour so I am just compiling a post to tell you more about it and to show off some of the products I use most on my hair!

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Cover FX

It's the ultimate mission, to create the perfect make-up base.  Made all the more harder if we suffer from skin conditions or problem areas such as acne, pigmentation, under eye darkness or rosacea.

Cosmetic brand, Cover FX looks to provide a solution for all such skin types in order to create that flawless finish for everyone.  Created by Lee Graff, a corrective make up specialist and cosmetic engineer (yes there is such a profession) Jenny Frankel, Cover FX is a range that promotes self esteem and confidence by taking control of your appearance.

Don't be mistaken, this is not just a range for those with skin imperfections, anyone can use Cover FX to create a perfect base.  In fact, it is used by many celebrities and apparently a favourite of Beyonce.  If it's good enough for Sasha Fierce ....

The range consists mostly of base products such as primers, foundation, concealers, setting powder but they have branched out to colour products like lipgloss and blush.

Wanda, Me and Lee

Cover FX has recently launched at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh where it is exclusively stocked in Scotland and I was asked if I would like to come in and meet with Lee Graff and Cover FX make up artist Wanda Longo to try out the range for myself and be made over using their products.

It was fantastic to meet Lee and Wanda, hear the story behind their extensive careers which eventually led to the Cover  FX brand and of course to be made over by Wanda using Cover FX products.

My Wanda make-over.  Wearing Cover FX Primer, Liquid Natural Foundation, Concealer, Blush and Lipgloss

Now there are things I really like about the brand and some things I am not such a fan of.  I particularly love the anti-ageing skin prime fx which feels so silky on the skin and the natural fx foundation.  The blush collection is also extremely pigmented with amazing longevity although may be a little shimmery for some.

My skin looks good for such a close encounter with the camera!

The extensive range of shades really appeals to me - there is a shade for everyone regardless of skin tone or shade.  It really does try to cater for all.  Also dependant on skin condition there are different recommendations of products which you can find on their website.  For instance, they recommend acne sufferers  prime the skin, blot it with a matte powder then use a pressed mineral foundation to create a flawless finish.

I am not so much in love with their setting powders as I find them a little on the cakey side and creates a little flashback when taking photos.  However, it's a great range, brilliant concept and I will continue to experiment with the brand.

You can find Cover FX stocked at Harvey Nichols.

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Japonesque Lip Palette

... Painstakingly decanting my kit lippies into my new Japonesque 36 lip palette.

It's just too much to carry around lots of individual lippies in my kit.  It's heavy and takes up far too much space so this is a perfect solution.  

The Japonesque palette is a handy and very lightweight item however it does feel a little bit flimsy for the price.  I paid about £23 for it and I can imagine it won't be long before it breaks on me which is a little disappointing.  BUT ... I could be wrong.

I have so many more lipsticks to decant and will probably need a few more palettes but I would like to see how I go with this one first before purchasing more.

I have tried to make this a multi choice palette ranging from reds, oranges, peaches, pinks and nudes.  The brands also range from MAC, Estee Lauder, Shu Uemura to Barry M and Rimmel.  Hopefully it works as a one stop shop until I can arrange all my other lipsticks.

Does anyone else use these palettes?

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PIXIWOO Course August 2011

Most of you may know by now that back in August I took part in the 5 day intensive make up training with Samantha and Nicola Chapman.

I have long wanted to pursue a career in make up, it's something I have debated doing since my university days but had so many other time consuming interests that it always got pushed to the back.  However, over the years I have satiated the ambition with helping out friends, family and friends of friends with make up for events or simply the odd make up lesson here or there.   My blog also came as a breath of fresh air 3 years ago when I started it mainly as a make up blog but since then it has grown arms and legs.

My destiny is in my own hands and it's up to me to do something about it and my first steps on that mission was the Pixiwoo course.

It all started with a gruelling journey to Norwich, who'd have thought it was so hard to get to from Bonnie Scotland but I made it in the end.  I shouldn't forget to tell you what a beautiful and scenic place Norwich is ... it's absolutely lovely!

Meeting the Pixiwoo girls was a teeny bit of a starstruck moment, I was the first to arrive on day one and I'm not even sure I could find words to speak to them at first.  If you know me, you will know this is totally out of character.  I was struck instantly with how stunningly beautiful both Nic and Sam are in the flesh.  They don't need a scrap of make up - lucky devils!  Nic was also blooming in late pregnancy, giving us some R'n'B dance performances with her Harry bump, i've never seen such an agile preganant lady!

There were 9 girls on the course plus our gorgeous model Ashley and they were all a delight to learn with.  I feel I have made some great friends which is a delightful bonus you don't necessarily expect.

So back to the course, we started off the week learning about hygiene, natural make-up, contouring and a classic smokey eye before moving onto creative/drag make up, period make up and then a bit of freestyling toward the end of the course.   There wasn't a day that went by where we didn't leave the studio with a wild made up face as we experimented with products and looks on each other.

Examples of some of my coursework

The course definitely opened my eyes to areas I had previously ignored and helped me see where I needed extra coaching and practise.  It has definitely set me in good stead for starting as a freelance make-up artist and I now have a qualification to prove I know what I'm doing, something I wouldn't dare start a business without.

It was a fantastic week and the girls on the course as well as Sam and Nic really made it all the more enjoyable.  It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone but we are already in touch on a regular basis as we all pursue different routes in the world of make up artistry.

I have now set up as a freelance artist and I'm in the process of finalising my website and building my portfolio of work and already have a wedding and magazine shoot under my belt which I am over the moon about.  I am still pursuing other interests especially within the realms of social media but who knows maybe one day this could be a full time career, here's hoping! :)

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