My Skin Base U-Turn

If you regularly catch up with my blog, you'll know how much I love Illamasqua products. From their cream pigments to their gel eyeliner, Illamasqua feature heavily in the So Coco Rouge kit box. 

Well, that is except our foundation box. 

When Illamasqua first launched in Manchester, I purchased their original foundations- Light Liquid and Rich Liquid- and I can hand on heart, honestly say, I was not a fan. In fact, they lay dormat at the bottom of my kit bag, squashed by my staples of MAC Face and Body, MUFE HD and Smashbox Studio Skin, until I finally threw them into the bin a few years later. 

When Skin Base launched in June 2011, I was unindated with squeals of declaration of love for it from my fellow MUA's. So, I half heartily popped into the Liverpool store, grumbling that I would certainly not like it, and deciding after around 30 seconds of blending the lightest shade into the back of hand, that Illamasqua foundations just 'weren't for me'. 

But, this Spring I have come to my senses and realised how wrong I was. 

Being dragged back to the Liverpool store after around 6 weeks of nagging from Robyn that we should give it one more chance, we were greeted by the absolutely lovely store manager, Rachel Murray, who told us a little more about this MUA favourite.

Illamasqua say- " Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily bendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage."

So, I let Rachel suggest a shade to suit my skintone (and luckily Robyns too- we are both practically transparent naturally) and headed back to the salon to try it out once again.

Grabbing my two favourite foundation brushes- a Crown Brush Dual Fibre and a Sephora Precision Brush, I swiftly buffed skin base into my combination complexion. Looking into the mirror 2 minutes later, I expected to be met with a cakey, dry looking finish. Instead, I found myself in awe of my flawless complexion, with a natural glow. 

Crown Dual Fibre

Sephora Pro Precision Brush

Three weeks on, and I am seriously obsessed with Skin Base. So much so, that we are planning on purchasing another 5 shades of Skin Base, Hydra Veil Primer (which we've heard makes skin base glide onto drier skin types) and hopefully the Skin Base Mixers which British Beauty Blogger featured on her site recently!

The moral of my story? Don't give up on a product. Especially when the hype is still buzzing three years on. Keep persisting, because you never know when your going to fall head over heels in love! 

Karla Powell Nail Art Charts

As you'll know if you read this weeks blog, last weekend the amazing Karla Powell was in the So Coco Rouge salon, teaching lots of make-up artists her Lip Art techniques.

Karla brought along her famous Face Charts, which are available in both A4 and A5 sizes from Crown Brush, and her new Nail Charts, which haven't even been launched yet! 

As I'm not the most artistic girl in the world, I've never really used face charts, but the nail charts really intrigued me! When I'm prepping for each QVC show for OPI Nails, I usually use a blank nail wheel, which allows me to play with the products and see the true shade. However, by the looks of it, these A5 Nail Charts would make carrying my own back catalogue of OPI shades even easier!

Karla says- "My Nail Charts are ideal for experimenting with hard wearing nail varnishes, different types of pens to draw nail art designs. The sheets work well with all wet nail varnish formula's, drying to the nail varnishes true colour. Perfect for swatching nail varnishes too! Each page features a minimal hand outline with short nails , with ample space for notes and the chance to extend the nails into a desired shape." 

Now, I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the best at staying between the lines when 'colouring in' so I was a little worried my nail charts would look like a 5 year old had got their hands on them- but for my 1st and 2nd attempt I'm pretty impressed with myself! 

These charts feature 1 quick coat of polish- please excuse my mini smudge!

The specially designed paper makes painting gloss and textured glitter polishes really simple, and they dry pretty quickly too.

Definitely a must buy for manicurists, and make-up artists prepping for artistic shoots- and certainly one of my favourite buys of the year so far! So next time you tune into one of my QVC shows, remember backstage will be  my little book of OPI nail swatches!

Workshops at SCR

Over at SCR we hold a variety of workshops- some held by other artists and others by myself and Robyn.

This weekend for example, the absolutely lovely and extremely talented make-up artist and social media guru Karla Powell held her popular Lip Art workshop at the salon, welcoming 8 make-up artists to hear about her journey and learn lots of tricks of the trade!

All Set Up

Work stations

Karla working her magic!

Karla used her favourite products from Illamasqua, Crown Brushes, Lime Crime, Mehron and OCC, whilst showcasing three unique lip looks and her lip prep routine. If you are a new or experienced make-up artist or simply a make-up obsessed consumer, I would highly suggest Karla's classes- lots of fun and really inspirational!

For the past four years, we have held a number of workshops at SCR, from Catwalk Trends, to Special Effects and 1-2-1 training, welcoming lots of lovely students through our doors!

This summer, we are increasing these 1 day workshops- to create our very own Summer camp!

First up is our Cosmetic Camp, perfect for complete make-up novices. Perhaps you want to try your hands at a few techniques before starting a formal make-up qualification, or maybe just to hear and see what a role as a make-up artist is really like? This workshop is for you.

Starting on August 5th and running until the 8th, you will gain in depth knowledge of skin types, correct skin care, working with face shapes, natural day make-up, sophisticated evening make-up and sultry smokey eyes. Plus, we'll play with colour and create creative looks too!

Each student will leave with a mini portfolio- a great opportunity to see how far you've come!

Secondly, there's our Finishing School. Designed for newly qualified make-up artists or those who want to make the move from fashion and special occasion make-up into film and TV.

Taking place from August 12th-15th, this workshop covers basic SFX, script breakdown, working to a brief, continuity and the essential skills required for such a rewarding role.

Each workshop is available to SIX students only, and places are already limited.

Each workshop costs £100 (only £25 per day!!) and places can be secured with a simple £25 deposit.

For further information, and to book your place, call the salon on 0151 708 7245 and speak to Sian or Robyn. We'll be happy to talk you through everything and start you on your path to a future career!!

QVC TSV

Every once in a while we get the chance to snap up the latest goodies from our favourite beauty brands in the comfort of our own homes- for a snip of the recommended retail price.

This Wednesday, it's time for the first OPI  QVC 'Todays Special Value' of 2014- and boy is it a good 'un!

Featuring over £100 worth of OPI professional lacquer and treatment, for around a third of the price, if you are a OPI lover or maybe tipping your first pedicured toe into OPI, this collection should not be missed!

This TSV collection features two of the latest film collaboration-  Muppet's Most Wanted shades, the rich sapphire, Miss Piggy's Big Number and the multi-tonal rosy mauve, Kermit Me To Speak. Plus, you also get the rosy gold, rainbow sparkle Rose of Light, a textured glitter which is a gorgeous addition to any manicure. Why not try it on your ring finger!

Kermit Me To Speak

Miss Piggy's Big Number

Rose Of Light

Speaking of glitter- we all know what an utter pain removing glitter lacquers can be. Sometimes, it takes so long, I avoid glitter all together!

Well, not for much longer- As this week, OPI launch Glitter Off Base Coat!

Simply apply a thin coat as your base and wait for the base to turn clear. Next, follow with two coats of your glitter, textured or dark lacquers- any, which you find tricky to remove!

When you are ready to remove your lacquer, take a cuticle stick and gently push the polish from base to tip. Finally, sweep over nails with Acetone Polish Remover to remove any residue. 

Voila, clean, glitter free nails in seconds!

You can see a demonstration of Glitter Off Here.

Glitter Off Base Coat

Finally, we have our treatments! Multi Award winning nail strengthener Nail Envy and the avocado enriched cuticle oil, Avoplex.

QVC customers already have access to the exclusive cool pink shade of Nail Envy, and now they have another shade to add to their collection- Nude!

This beautiful soft nude shade, compliments all skin tones, and is ideal for wearing a hint of colour whilst treating your nail problems. Plus this is the only place in the WORLD you can try it!

Nude Envy

Original Envy

Whether you choose to wear Original or Nude Nail Envy, it's important you follow our care routine to see the nail strengthening benefits-

Avoplex

1. Apply two coats of either nude or original envy
2. Apply another coat of envy every other day 
3.Remove on day 7 with non acetone polish remover, file down excess length and start again!

For best results, OPI advise massaging Avoplex oil into cuticles twice a day whether you are following the envy routine, wearing lacquer or not.

So, I'd suggest keeping yourself awake and tuning into QVC as the clock strikes onto Wednesday 16th 2014. 

But if you can't keep your eyes open, you can also catch the OPI team at 4am, 8am, 12pm and 6pm, but remember- there is only limited stock!

OPI Muppets Most Wanted

I'm sure lots of you will be treating your little ones to a trip to the flicks this half term- with Muppet's Most Wanted no doubt being high on your wish list.

The Muppet's have been back on our radar massively of late, with lots of chatter surrounding the launch of OPI Muppet Most Wanted collection, which is now on sale.

This collection is perfect for Spring, featuring soft cream and iridescent tones plus fine and chunky glitters. 

Let's begin with the softer feminine shades of Chillin Like A Villain, a pinky nude, I Love Applause, a sheer baby pink and International Crime Caper, an opalescent pearl.

For a fuller coverage simply apply two-three coats of these girly shades, perfectly accompanying the summer pastel trend.

Then we have the stronger vivid tones of rich sapphire, Miss Piggys Big Number and multi-tonal purple and green shade, Kermit Me To Speak. 

Finally, we have out gorgeous glitters! Fine silver and white flecks Muppet's World Tour, Rose gold with white confetti Let's Do Anything We Want and the chunkiest metallic pink Gaining Mole-Mentum.

Whatever your style this spring, your sure to find a Muppet's mani for you!

That "No Make-up Selfie" Trend

So you would have literally have had to have been living under a rock for the past fortnight not to of heard of the "No Make-up Selfie" trend. 

What started off as immature girls bitching about how good or bad certain Facebook 'friends' looked without their signature slap, and others accusing fellow tweeters of joining in for the sake of upping their 'favourites', thankfully U-turned, with lots of us embracing our natural state. However flawless (or not so in my case) that state is. 

So where did this trend appear from? Rumour has it, that it can be traced to my hometown of the Wirral- the same area where the beautiful Sophie Jones lived and fought her battle with Cervical Cancer. Sophie passed away at the tender age of 19, earlier this month. Alongside the petition  'Sophie's Choice' , created by her family and friends the to lower the age of cervical screening, this empowering social media trend emerged.

Within days, these 'selfies' took over our news feeds, most accompanied with text donations of £3 to Cancer Research UK. Which is, of course, amazing. I am all for fundraising, but part of me was a little disheartened that people in my local area (including many friends and family) chose to donate to this charity, rather than our local cancer research charity, NWCR. 

If you've read my blogs before, or follow my Twitter and Instagram, you've no doubt heard me harp on about NWCR before. Robyn (my So Coco Rouge partner in cosmetic criminal activity) and I are dedicated members of the Liverpool City Centre fund raising committee, and after both suffering the loss of very close family members, are committed to raising as much as possible. (We also are known for creating pretty disguising tasting but visually amazing/horrifying cakes for their annual Bake Off.)

So, after grabbing the industrial sized cleanser and scrubbing our smokes, red lips and chiseled cheekbones off, we revealed our bare skinned self's to the masses. And are going to do so once more tomorrow- when we hold our very own fundraiser, whilst also persuading each and every client to sign Sophie's Choice and join the fight to end the big C's wave of devastation once and for all.

'How can you get involved' I hear you cry?! Well, book into So Coco Rouge tomorrow by calling 0151 708 7245 and either treat yourself to a deluxe facial (to stay make-up free!) or a makeover (if that one Selfie was enough for you!) all in exchange for a measly £10 donation. With every single penny going straight to NWCR. 

Not lucky enough to be in Liverpool?! Then you can join us in revealing your fresh faced self and texting NWCR22 to 70070 and donating £3.00 to a charity dedicated to local research. 

What else can you do? Head over to http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/62385 and sign Sophie's Petition. 

Because, together, I really do think that one day we'll beat the big C once and for all.

AW14 Beauty Trends

Well what a nuisance to have my busiest time in the salon, and a bad case of writers block over the fashion week period! Especially with this being the Autumn Winter showcase, which are typically always my favourites.

So this season I've been catching the shows online in between clients, and spending my bedtimes on Vogue.com reading show reports. Oh the glamour of fashion...

Well, what should we be wearing on our faces come September according to the fashion giants? To start with....blue. Yes, blue. 

At Temperley make-up artist Lisa Eldridge created blunt, squared ended flicks of eyeliner in bright blue. Keeping skin, lips and brows natural, all focus was on the outer part of the eye, with a soft peachy tone in the inner lash line and tear duct. Then over at Giles Lucia Pieroni created a soft punk look, with pastel blue shadow applied to the lower lash line, and deep grey smokiness on the eyelid. Finally at Michael Van der Ham, Sam Bryant used MAC to create a girlie 60's look with orange lips and a simple wash of dove blue on eyelids. Whatever way you wear it, blue is looking like a top trend for AW14.

Temperley- Image Cosmopolitan

Michael Van der Ham. Image- Cosmopolitan

 I'll be stocking up on Illamasqua eyeshadow in Anja, Illamasqua Eye Colouring Pencil in Debonair, MUA Gel Eyeliner in Blue and Crown All Eyes On You set for a professional finish.

Gucci Image- Cosmopolitan

The make-up genius and my ultimate heroine, Pat McGrath created stunning looks this season, as predicted. Inspired by the 1950s and 1960s the looks she created for Dolce and Gabbana and Gucci are wearable, simple to create, yet effective.

Dolce Image- Cosmopolitan

At Dolce and Gabbana models wore clean flicks of liquid eyeliner teamed with fuller brows, flushed cheeks and a naturally flawless complexion. Then over at Gucci, we jumped forward a decade to a 60s dollesque look. Focusing on longer bottom lashes and fuller, thicker top lashes, teamed with a muted pink/mauve lip. 

As a lover of vintage inspired looks, and liquid liner framed with full lashes, I swear by Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner, Eyeko Eye Do Mascara, Liz Martins Lashes and Art Deco Teint Concealer.