Make-up International Magazine

A good few months ago now, I was briefly interviewed by the lovely people at Make-up International magazine, who wanted to know why I decided to start this blog and what changes I have seen in the industry of late.

It suddenly struck me, that having been in the beauty industry for ten years now, that A LOT has changed since I started down my chosen path. There was no Facebook, no Twitter, no Instagram, and in fact, the first contact I made with production companies was via written letter, with a composition card enclosed, enabling them to see my work immediately. 

I couldn't even tell you the last time I sent a letter, an email with a portfolio link, is now far easier and quicker than depending on the good old Royal Mail.

When I left the School of Make-up back in 2006, it was so important to have a network of fellow new artists as friends and this is exactly how I met my So Coco Rouge business partner, Robyn. After all, if you have had a bad day, haven't been paid on time or are having a wobble over which product to use on which job, who else could you turn to? Your lifetime buddy who works in a 9-5 job with a guaranteed income definitely isn't going to understand your woes that's for sure. Yet, nowadays many make-up artist friends are made over the airwaves- of Facebook and Twitter to be precise.

In the past, if I was intrigued by the latest products, I would have bought the item myself, walking blindly into a costly purchase. Now? I research the item online, read industry expert blogs and even send a tweet out asking for reviews. It's the same with techniques. Instagram has not only helped the consumer, but those step-by-step images can also inspire us professionals, especially when we find ourselves stuck in an ideas rut. 

I can still remember my tutor, Elaine Jones, explaining the latest change in TV, High Definition and how air applied make-up was gradually being introduced. Which was to the despair of some well established artists, who were much happier applying cosmetics with fingers and sponges, let alone an a brush or an airbrush. 

Now more than ever, I can see why we need to constantly follow trends, product developments and train in the latest techniques. After all, if we don't keep up surely we'll easily slip behind.

You can read the full interview in Issue 11 of Make-up International, available here. 

Beautiful Brows Kit

As a make-up artist, and one based mainly in the city were bold brows are favourited (before you run in panic, I DO NOT create those famed 'Scouse Brows'...) strangely I have always struggled perfecting my own.

Just as most make-up artists hate doing their own make-up (honestly, doing your own after making up 100+ people a month just gets dull) I really hate doing my brows. But with unruly, sparse mousy brows, a large forehead and copper hair, something just has to be done on a daily basis. Make-up free day or not.

Luckily for me, at the Olympia Beauty show I got chatting to a lovely lady at Beautiful Brows. I explained my day job and my personal brow issues, and sat down for a two minute brow makeover. Now, I must honestly admit I was terrified. I saw a stencil, a dark brown powder and no way of escape. Surely, she'd hear my scouse accent, see an unruly brow and create the bold slugs my city has unfortunately become famed for. (This has occurred on MANY occasions)

Left- Before.                                Right- After.

About 5 seconds later, a mirror was placed in front of me. One eyebrow finished, one left untouched. And I actually gasped. I'm glad to say NOT in horror. My finished brow was exactly what I have been trying to achieve for months, and the type of naturally defined brow I love creating for my clients. 

Begging her to show me exactly how to re-create this myself, I was surprised to see how simple it was.

Below- Before.      Above- After.

Selecting the 'Sleek' stencil, I matched the arch up to my natural arch and held in place, whilst I dusted the brown mineral shadow over the stencil. Removing to reveal a perfect arch and defined brow end, which I then softened ever so slightly, using the clean angled brush. Next, I took the 'Natural' stencil and placed this over the bulk of my brow, up to the arch and again, dusted the shadow over the area. 

Voila. Perfect brows in less time than it takes for me to apply my flicks. 

For extra definition, you can also apply the highlighter, a pretty lightly shimmery muted pink, to the underneath of your arch. I personally, keep this for an evening make-up and use a matte, cream shade on a daily basis.

When I returned home and introduced my latest purchase to my mum- who also suffers from brow issues- she was just as excited and eager to try it. Three weeks later, and the kit generally lives by the bathroom mirror- meaning we can both find it easily on those rushed mornings. Neither of us would dare leave without our Beautiful Brows in place!

So, what do you get in this little gem of a kit?! Everything you would need and more. The clever packaging contains a mirror, and areas for the brow shadow shade (5 to choose from, so one for all of you!) and highlighter. You also get three stencils- Sleek, Natural and Bold depending on your brow thickness.

Finally you get a dual ended brush with a angeld end and a fluffy end for applying your brow colour, a hightlighter brush and a set of tweezers- which are just as good as my Tweezerman favourites.

You can buy this kit online for £38.00- it may seem like a big purchase, but honestly, I really couldn't live without it now.

PFW SS14 Make-up Trends

Finally- we've come to the last post in the SS14 series- Paris! The city I am desperate to visit, for a weekend of jazz, coffee and romance. 

(Can you tell I've been watching a bit too much Midnight in Paris?!)

Paris Fashion Week, to me, is all about Chanel, beautiful  elegant Chanel, all wrapped up in a pearl necklace with a tweed jacket.

Well, we are mid way into October, and yet everyone is STILL talking about last months Chanel show. Why?! Well, to say it was bright and arty is an understatement.

IMAGE- MARIE CLAIRE

Chanel's former Global make-up director, Peter Phillips, created a rainbow eye, framed with thick black liner. Think blue, yellow, gold, green and pink. Yes. That's right. At Chanel. 

We've yet to hear which products Phillips used to create a well love artists palette on models such as Cara Delevingne, but I'm guessing they aren't from Chanel's subtle range. I would hazard a guess that these strong colours have come from the pro favourite, MUFE Flash Palette. These grease paints are packed with colour, and are easily set used loose pigments. 

Next to a slightly more wearable look, from Kenzo. Artist Aaron De May for MAC, created a striking white liner, accompanying bleached brow, nude lashes and bare skin. 

I personally love white top liner, especially when teamed with a bright eyeshadow on a darker complexion- it's a great way to mix up your usual routine!

My favourite budget white liner is from Barry M, once applied its completely waterproof and smuge resisitant! Try using an angled eyeliner brush from Crown for a precise application.

Finally, another show stopping look, this time from now other than Vivienne Westwood.

Make-up legend, Val Garland was in the head chair here, and her inspiration was- 

'Girl waiting for bus, getting splattered by mud'. 

So, just your average brief in the world of Westwood.

The only product I would suggest trying this look with is MAC Pro Acrylic Paint. Unfortunately this is only available to professional artists, but to be honest, I can't see many of you choosing this as your holiday look!

As the SS14 shows now draw to a close, we can return to the 90's punk movement of AW13, safe in the knowledge that whatever make-up we chose next year, it's safe to say, one designer has showcased it this season.

So, have fun, be creative and most of all- embrace it. After all, it's only make-up.

MUA Fixing Spray

As a make-up artist, working with around 30 brides a year, when I tell them there make-up will be still be in place 12, 16, 24 hours later, I know it will be. I would happily put money on it.

But, when I do my own make-up, all professional technique goes out the window. Whether its my impatience, my boredom of making up 'that face' yet again, or not enough care and attention, for some reason I do not apply it like I would a client, or even a friend/ family member for that matter. I am a great believer in using a  'layering' technique when applying make-up (you can read more about this in my Festival Favourites series) but when it's me, I seem to adopt a much more slap-dash approach.

So when my best friend got hitched a few weeks ago (I promise this will be the last time I mention this- but forgive me, it was my favourite day in my 26 years, so I'm going to talk about it from time to time!! Sorry!) and I knew I had 3 bridesmaids, a blushing bride and a gorgeous mum and nan to make up, I was going to have to be done at the crack of dawn. Either that or I'd be walking down the aisle looking rather bedraggled.

Plus it was one of the hottest weekends we'd had in donkeys years, and I was wearing a pretty impressive mane of extensions. If my make-up needed to avoid meltdown on any day, it was today.

Usually at So Coco Rouge we rely on Make Up Forever Mist and Fix, but knowing we were running low and the salon being busy as ever on a summer Saturday, there was no way of sneaking one into my handbag. So where to turn?!

On a last minute dash to Superdrug, on a hunt of a nude lipgloss (wearing a newly sprayed tan and pin curled hair- there is a lot of prep to being a bridesmaid you know!) I came across MUA Pro Base Make-up Fixing Mist, costing a bargain £5.00. Maybe this could be my savior?!

MUA claim Pro Base Make-up Fixing Mist 'Fixes your makeup in place all day long. Protects against heat, humidity, cold and windy conditions; whatever your day throws at you - your makeup will hold in place!'

Well, heat, humidity and tears were a definite, so I really did put this to the test- and the result?!

I was seriously impressed.

I applied my make-up at 5am, starting the bridal party at 7am. 

2pm ceremony = still looking perfect

5pm dinner = after a photo session in the sweltering heat, still looking damn good!

8pm party time = Slight touch up needed- nothing major.

2am A night spent dancing and posing in a photo booth = Pretty impressive- still looking good!

6am bedtime and after a few hours of sleep my make-up is still in place when I wake!

MUA state this product should give 8 hours of touch-free wear, but in my experience it offers much more. This also helps to re-hydrate and moisturise the skin, making this also ideal for those with drier skin types or those who like a luminous finish.

A total bargain buy, and one I will definitely be stocking up on!