New Beginnings

September is one of my favouirte months- the sun is usually still shining brightly, the leaves start to turn a shade not dis-similar from my hair colour and we can look towards Spring/Summer at Fashion Week. 

September is also known for changes and new beginnings- and this September I will be starting on yet another journey on my winding career path.

As if I wasn't busy enough, this year I will be beginning to teach- back at my old college, in the class that fed my appetite for make-up exactly ten years ago.

Wirral Metropolitan College will always be held close to my heart- as an eager, make-up obsessed 16 year old they encouraged me to follow my dreams and pointed me in the right direction. Since then I have always wanted to do the same for the next generation of artists.

I will be teaching the VTCT Fashion and Photographic classes, which luckily both take place on my day off from the salon- a Monday!

This qualification focus's on practical work, and the students will study current trends and look into the history of make-up and how it effects our make-up design today.
Ideal as a starting block to those thinking of a career in make-up artistry.

Luckily for me, the college have been very supportive, in allowing me to alter the college kits. This year my students will be using my favourite professional products from Art Deco, brushes from Crown and hygiene essentials from Pro Make-up Shop.

If you are studying with me this year, I look forward to meeting you very soon!

No7 Ta Dah Campaign

As many of you will know, I have been working closely with No7 for almost a year now, as a online beauty expert and as part of the social media team from Oscar Mike.

This week the latest No7 ad campaign is released, and it's a little different from their previous ones!

Prior to the release of the new campaign, over at the No7 Facebook page, we have been celebrating No7's heritage by looking back into the archives and celebrating original products and famed adverts. It's been amazing to see how many women have used No7 since it launched back in 1935, with some who have solely relied on No7 for their make-up and skincare needs their whole lives!

I started my own make-up career at the Liverpool Boots store, ten years ago next month (its scary how time flies isn't it!) and originally worked mainly on the fragrance counter, which was situated opposite the No7 counter. Like a bee round a honey pot, I was constantly over there, swatching lipsticks, watching the advisors giving make-overs and generally in wide-eyed awe of the atmosphere. When I was first building my make-up kit, it consisted of many No7 gems- such as the eyeshadow trio's, lipsticks and blushers.

So, it seems pretty apt that I work with the brand on a daily basis now, and my passion for No7 will never falter.

Well, lets get back to present day, and the exciting campaign No7 have for us this week- which features REAL WOMEN. No models, no celebrities, just real women. All of which have NOT been airbrushed, re-touched or altered in any way. Just simple lighting, gorgeous make-up and beautiful women. Bravo No7!

No7 believe every women should have a Ta Dah! moment- that moment when you look in the mirror and think 'Wow- I look great' and step out into the wide world brimming with confidence- and why shouldn't we?! With a skincare and make-up range that provides quick and impressive results from a simple, stress free application, No7 have got my Ta Dah moment nailed.

The TV advert will be gracing your screens tomorrow, but for a sneak peek, head over to the Boots website, where you will also find a mood board app, get the look instructions and the real women's stories!  Plus, remember to pop into your local store and see these gorgeous images for yourself. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Evo Fabuloso Colour Intensifying Conditioner

As much as I love my red locks, the speed at which the vibrancy fades can sometimes leave me considering a much more subdued tone. From using a specialist colour shampoo to the various colour masks I have collected over the years, nothing seems to brighten and deepen my barnett as much as I want.

My latest purchase, Evo Fabuloso Colour Intensifying Conditioner in Copper promises to "achieve a rich copper tone on colour treated hair." Not only does this conditioner enhance colour, it is also helps to reduce frizz, add shine and deeply nourish damaged hair.

Not heard of Evo before? To be honest, the brand only came to my attention last year when we looked for a brand to use at So Coco Rouge, and now it's one we often use on shoots. With uniquely named products, including Love Touch (Shine spray), Liquid Rollers (Curl cream) and Root Canal (Volume spray) and simple, modern packaging alongside products that actually work,  Evo is now a favourite amongst UK hair salons. Founded in Australia in 2004, Evo's "mission is to create innovative, salon only products that are simple, luxurious, effective to use and that make people smile" and I'm pretty sure they have met this mission already.

Available in 7 shades, Fabuloso is seriously simple to apply. Wash hair as normal, towel dry and comb through. Depending on hair length take 4-8 pumps of conditioner (I have shoulder length hair and used 6) and comb through from roots to ends. I focused the majority on the ends, as this is where my colour fades most. Then its time to wait! 3 minutes of shower scrubbing later and its time to rinse!

One blow dry later and my hair is looking much healthier and definitely revived. A great way to quickly enhance your colour for a special occasion, or a valuable bargain to ease the far too regular salon appointments!

Available in 7 shades- Copper, Mahogany, Purple Red, Chestnut, Caramel, Light Beige and Platinum Blonde.

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!

Swimwear and Colour Blocking Shoot

With being so busy working at So Coco Rouge during Wedding season, I haven't had a chance to get back on set for a few months. So when Michelle Wilson of MSW Photography contacted the SCR Pro team looking for an artist, I was delighted to see I was free to join the fun!

The shoot was focusing on both swimwear and colour blocking, so a great chance to try lots of new products I'd been itching to play with!

With the weather set to change to miserable rain we headed to Crosby beach first to shoot three swimwear looks. Stylist and co-founder of PickWick Magazine, Louise Dwyer created the looks for model Ksenija of Nemisis agency, featuring an exotic swimsuit and 2 piece plus a gorgeous peach toned vintage inspired number, all complemented with chunky jewellery. 

Swimwear Looks

Make-up Kit ready to go!

I designed the make-up to bring out the bright tones in all three outfits, making minor changes for each individual look. 

I layered cream pigments Illamasqua Cream Pigments, 'Androgen' and 'Bedaub' and MAC eyeshadows for a colourful eye look, whilst keeping skin fresh and clean with Kryolan Dermacolour and MAC Face and Body Foundation. Soft definition on cheeks was achieved by using Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate and a subtle hint of colour to the apples with Kryolan Lip N Cheek in Hibiscus. I added a strong pop of colour on Ksenija's beautifully full lips, using Sleek Pout Paint in Rosette and Art Deco Clear Gloss.

 Hair was kept simple, in a sleek tight ponytail and nails painted in gorgeous hot pink OPI nail lacquer 'Charged Up Cherry' 

Next up we headed to Michelle's studio to shoot three colour blocking looks- all with a slight Mad Men feel. With this is mind I created a bouffant hair style, and kept eye make-up simple, focusing on stronger lips. For a strong red lip, I knew exactly which product to turn to- Kryolan Lip Stain in Rock, which complimented my favouirte red OPI nail lacquer perfectly (typically a limited edition!) 'Off With Her Red' from the Alice In Wonderland collection. 

I cannot wait to see the finished images, because if these behind the scenes pics are anything to go by, they are going to be amazing!

Colour Blocking and Kryolan Lip Stain in action!

New Bourjois Collection

Looks like I'll be clocking up a lot of Boots advantage card points in the next few months, as there is so many new products from Bourjois that I can't wait to get my mitts on!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Bourjois celebrates their 150th birthday this year, and their next collection is a real testament to the brands success. 

So, what can we expect?! Well, how is an illuminating complexion, fuller lashes and a fool-proof liner for starters?

Back in 1879, Bourjois released Java Rice Powder and by 1897 it had sold 2 million worldwide. To continue the birthday celebrations, the silky soft powder has been re-released, and its even packaged in a similar way to the original! 

A definite collectors item!

The powder isn't matte and chalky, but instead has an soft iridescence  which will leave skin with a healthy glow. Perfect for brightening a dull, winter skin tone!

Available now at Selfridges.

Next up, is two fantastic cheats for a fabulous complexion- Happy Light Concealer and Blush Exclusif Smart Blush. 

Happy Light Concealer is available in 5 shades, offers a professional, good coverage but is still lightweight enough to look undetectable.  

Just like Bourjois Rose Exclusif Lipgloss launched back in 2010, the pigments in Blush Exclusif Smart Blush adjusts the shade depending on the pH of your skin, creating a shade unique to you!

We have a great complexion, now lets turn to eyes! These two products are really innovative, but I wouldn't expect any less from the inventors of Coup de Theatre! First we have Eraseable Eyeliner- a glossy liquid liner perfect for creating a sexy feline flick, with a hidden beauty tool for those of us who can never get matching flicks...a rubbery eraser! Simply run over the mistake and start again! Ideal for creating a sharp edge to your flicks too, a job I always needed a bottle of cleanser and a Q-tip for- until now!

Secondly, we have Twist Up The Volume- a 2 in 1 mascara, enabling you to choose the amount of lash volume you require! (If only we could do this with bra size- can someone invent this too please?!) Simply twist the white cap at the top to change between fine bristles for a longer, defined lashes or fuller bristles for a voluminous look.

Finally, we have a selection of 6 shades in Shine Edition Lipstick. Providing moisturisation for 10 hours thanks to mango butter extract, the finish is ultra glossy and shiny. My favourite is Famous Fushia, a gorgeous summery pink, perfect for a rich holiday tan!

Balance Me Stellar Face Balm

Well it seems our delightful summer sunshine may be slipping away from us, if the thunder storms in Manchester and torrential rain in London are anything to go by!

So luckily, this weeks see's the majority of children in England breaking up for school holidays, meaning lots of us will be hopping onto a plane and jetting off to a sunnier horizon.

After 3 weeks of sweltering heat, freezing cold air con and no doubt a few too many gin based cocktails, many of us will be suffering from dehydrated skin and dull, dry, flaky complexions. Yuck. 

But, what can we do to combat this in such a short space of time, especially when you want to arrive looking like a Greek Goddess when you touch down in Corfu?! 

Easy- Invest in Balance Me Stellar Face Balm, then sit back and enjoy your flight. 

Available in a handy cabin sized 7ml pot and costing a bargainius £5, you really can't go wrong.

This nourishing balm counts organic Shea and Mango Seed Butter plus Virgin Coconut and Rosehip Oil, amongst its main ingredients, aswell as neroli and may chang, which help to soothe irritations. For a nightime and flight-time treat, apply generously all over your skin, avoiding the eye area, and leave your skin to soak up the moisture. On awakening/landing, simply tissue off or massage in any excess.

Just like the famed Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, this balm can also be used as a lip balm, cuticle cream or hair smoother and is the perfect tonic for dry, rough heels and elbows. 

But, I know LOTS of you will be happy to know- this has a much more delicate aroma!!

Balance Me, was founded back in 2005 by sisters Rebecca and Claire Hopkins, after deciding to search for a better work/life balance by moving into the cosmetic business. After a year of working from their home kitchens,  business partner, aromatherapist Sian Jones joined the team and the rest is history. Endless awards, products sold nationwide, all whilst bringing up 5 children between them! These women are a force to be reckoned with!

So, your next stop is sumptuous, supple smooth holiday skin.

Simply strap yourself in, listen to the safety announcements and enjoy your flight!