Been away for ages I am sorry I've been working and getting caught up in Christmas and being lazy!! But I'm back and going to try and be more dedicated.
Here is what has been on my mind today and the past few weeks as I've been feeling discouraged! So if you are as well hopefully it will refresh you like it has me!
I've been thinking about how hard it is to prove yourself as a Make-Up Artist as there are so many of us out there, all wanting the same jobs and all wanting to be paid for it. Its not easy and its a lot of competition but what I think, is that as a MUA you have to prepare yourself for a lot of rejections and let downs and a lot of FREE WORK. Its a bit like an actor or singer I guess, it takes so much to get noticed but when you eventually do it pays off everything and more that you did in the first place.
I see make-up as an art and thats what I like to think sets me apart from a lot of other people. Thousands and millions of girls have perfected their own make-up regimes and whilst they might go about it differently to those of us who have been trained, the end results cant really be faulted. So whats the point in training? I see the point in being trained is to find your hidden talents, anyone can be good with a bronzer and a mascara and do normal day to day basic make-up but it actually takes a skill to create a piece of art on the face. There are subtlities that can speak volumes to an eye of someone in the industry and the most simplest make-ups can still be the best.
Any art can be looked at by an every day person, but that every day person may never be able to see the beauty or the power or the secret subtly behind it that made that painting great, purely because they don't have the passion nor the understanding regardless of whether its been explained a million times. Make-Up to me is the same; a massive force that with great ideas and talent can come amazing things. There's always an inspiration or a reason behind the most fantastic make-ups and everything has been done for a reason whether its blindly visible or not. The smallest things can represent the biggest things and it takes passion and a love to want to build on that which makes a good MUA.
I would genuinely say some of my friends are better at doing their make-up than me on a day to day basis, and I'd definately say they put in a lot more detail and product into getting themselves perfect, and a lot of the time they do acheive perfection. That doesnt worry me and if it did I wouldnt be setting my sights for the future very high at all. They might be able to do a great colour match and do a good straight line of eyeliner, but can they take someones vision or their own and turn it into a reality... Can they take an idea and go with it and see where it might take them? Be given a loose framework to go by and create something from it? I've never asked them but I doubt they could because with make-up they see it as a beauty regime and part of their life and not the bigger picture of how it is an art form and a skill that can create hugely powerful images.
So to round up, I'd just like to say that after thinking about this all day and originally feeling down about my career as an MUA because finding work currently is a struggle, especially finding continuity in paid work; I feel refreshed and happy. I know what direction I want to take in my life and I know through some form or another I will get there. I know what it takes and I see beyond the surface of "I am trained to make you look pretty"....
YAY ME.
BYE
xX
Monday 16 January 2012
Thursday 3 November 2011
Trends For Winter 2011.
I've just been doing some research and looking around to see what sort of make-up trends are heading our way for this winter and I just thought I would share some of the colours, tones and trends that are about to be splashed everywhere...
Its all about contradiction!
1: Nude Tones; Just like Summer, this years Winter is carrying on with the clean cut, nude and natural looking make-up. Clean skin, and simple eyes are all what its about and pale looks like its continuing taking hold as well, so calm down with the fake tan if your wanting to look bang on trend.
- You all might be thinking but without a hint of bronzer or tan I just look dull and pale. Its actually fairly easy to make your skin glow without tan and bronzer its just all about matching the undertone to your foundation to the natural undertones of your skin. Go into a cosmetics store and ask them about it! - Are you more pinky or yellow - They'll be able to tell you.
2: As you can see and like I have just mentioned briefly, to match the cool tones of your complexion is keeping the eyes simple and clean. Heavy eye make-up is out and minimal and clean is in. Dont get me wrong this Winter isnt about putting nothing on your eyes, its just keeping it simple. Cool shades and tones are in, creams, beiges and browns, silvers and greys, light purples and blue tones are some of the shades you will see coming out in force.
- Some people prefer simple eyes whiles others may have been use to heavy, dramatic eyes for a long time. If your looking to change but scared your eyes just wont stand out dont fear. There are loads of tutorials on You Tube which talk about cutting the crease technique, which is the best technique to add definition to anyones eyes. By using this technique but nude and natural eyeshadow tones, you'll still be perfectly in trend and fresh but with eyes that still pop. Also buy a good mascara and NON HEATED eyelash curlers to finish the job!
- Another eye trend coming into the Winter is lightly smokey eyes, so if you cant completely bare to strip away your old ways then dont worry too much. Instead of heavy blacks, purples and other dark colours, were creating smokey eyes through more greys and lighter tones of the original. So you dont even have to go out of your way to fit in that much, just opt for a lighter shade to create a less dramatic smokey eye and you'll fit in perfectly.
- The third eye trend to play around with this Winter is my favourite as it brings back a taste of the pin up era. Winged eyeliner! Again nothing to heavy or dramatic, were not talking Amy Winehouse, but more simple styles like you see on Marilyn Monroe etc. I find the best product to use is a really thin brush that you can get a great and very thin line out of is the way forward, allowing you build up gradually rather than having to go thick straight away. Bobbi brown and M.A.C gel pots are probably the best. Long lasting, water and smudge proof!
- Finally the last trend I'm going to talk about is a more creative and fashion kind of trend that I wont expect to see on many normal day to day people but you never know! Pastel oranges and pinks are in and are being used to create a striking but not too bold look. This last one is probably more for the use of those in the fashion world, models, MUA's etc but if your feeling fiesty then why not. - Remember its all about softness ad blending still not block and bold colours.
3: This is where the contradiction comes in - Nude complexions and eyes matched with... Brightly coloured and full lips! Once again from Summer the coral, red and strong tones that were in this year are continuing into the Winter. However unlike summer where it was all about warm oranges and reds we are now heading into the cooler shades, with purple and blue undertones! Strong reds, browns, purples and oranges are all in this Winter, making your lips the statement feature of your face so get involved!
- Some people say that those with smaller lips cant pull of bold colours but I disagree, experiment with different tones and shades and some will look great, slightly over draw the lip line to create a fuller looking lip. Its not hard to do and when done properly you DON'T end up looking like a drag queen. Also those with already full lips or for those who are just looking to make yourself look a little bit more sexy, emphasise your cupids bow. Again its not hard to do and subtlty goes a long way! - I do it all the time and I have never been called or referred to or reminded someone of Pete Burns.
4: Also gone are the days where barely there eyebrows where in and back are the days where everyone has thick, natural and strong eyebrows! - So think about putting the tweezers down, backing away and going and buying an eye pencil or eye shadow to fill those eyebrows in and to define them. Its all about strong eyebrows this Winter so get them growing, along with the lips its the strong definition of the eyebrows that are to be your stand out feature. This doesn't mean you forget about them entirely, they still need a good shape, its just the fullness of them that we want!
- Its easy to give eyebrows some definition. I actually prefer to use a brown matte eye shadow to do my eyebrows with rather than pencil as it can look a little harsh and little fake, where because an eye shadow is a powder its a lot softer but still gives the added colour! Benefit do loads of eyebrow kits, or you can just opt to buy a small angled brush and a cheap and cheerful brown matte eye shadow. Job done!
Its all about contradiction!
1: Nude Tones; Just like Summer, this years Winter is carrying on with the clean cut, nude and natural looking make-up. Clean skin, and simple eyes are all what its about and pale looks like its continuing taking hold as well, so calm down with the fake tan if your wanting to look bang on trend.
- You all might be thinking but without a hint of bronzer or tan I just look dull and pale. Its actually fairly easy to make your skin glow without tan and bronzer its just all about matching the undertone to your foundation to the natural undertones of your skin. Go into a cosmetics store and ask them about it! - Are you more pinky or yellow - They'll be able to tell you.
2: As you can see and like I have just mentioned briefly, to match the cool tones of your complexion is keeping the eyes simple and clean. Heavy eye make-up is out and minimal and clean is in. Dont get me wrong this Winter isnt about putting nothing on your eyes, its just keeping it simple. Cool shades and tones are in, creams, beiges and browns, silvers and greys, light purples and blue tones are some of the shades you will see coming out in force.
- Some people prefer simple eyes whiles others may have been use to heavy, dramatic eyes for a long time. If your looking to change but scared your eyes just wont stand out dont fear. There are loads of tutorials on You Tube which talk about cutting the crease technique, which is the best technique to add definition to anyones eyes. By using this technique but nude and natural eyeshadow tones, you'll still be perfectly in trend and fresh but with eyes that still pop. Also buy a good mascara and NON HEATED eyelash curlers to finish the job!
- Another eye trend coming into the Winter is lightly smokey eyes, so if you cant completely bare to strip away your old ways then dont worry too much. Instead of heavy blacks, purples and other dark colours, were creating smokey eyes through more greys and lighter tones of the original. So you dont even have to go out of your way to fit in that much, just opt for a lighter shade to create a less dramatic smokey eye and you'll fit in perfectly.
- The third eye trend to play around with this Winter is my favourite as it brings back a taste of the pin up era. Winged eyeliner! Again nothing to heavy or dramatic, were not talking Amy Winehouse, but more simple styles like you see on Marilyn Monroe etc. I find the best product to use is a really thin brush that you can get a great and very thin line out of is the way forward, allowing you build up gradually rather than having to go thick straight away. Bobbi brown and M.A.C gel pots are probably the best. Long lasting, water and smudge proof!
- Finally the last trend I'm going to talk about is a more creative and fashion kind of trend that I wont expect to see on many normal day to day people but you never know! Pastel oranges and pinks are in and are being used to create a striking but not too bold look. This last one is probably more for the use of those in the fashion world, models, MUA's etc but if your feeling fiesty then why not. - Remember its all about softness ad blending still not block and bold colours.
3: This is where the contradiction comes in - Nude complexions and eyes matched with... Brightly coloured and full lips! Once again from Summer the coral, red and strong tones that were in this year are continuing into the Winter. However unlike summer where it was all about warm oranges and reds we are now heading into the cooler shades, with purple and blue undertones! Strong reds, browns, purples and oranges are all in this Winter, making your lips the statement feature of your face so get involved!
- Some people say that those with smaller lips cant pull of bold colours but I disagree, experiment with different tones and shades and some will look great, slightly over draw the lip line to create a fuller looking lip. Its not hard to do and when done properly you DON'T end up looking like a drag queen. Also those with already full lips or for those who are just looking to make yourself look a little bit more sexy, emphasise your cupids bow. Again its not hard to do and subtlty goes a long way! - I do it all the time and I have never been called or referred to or reminded someone of Pete Burns.
- Its easy to give eyebrows some definition. I actually prefer to use a brown matte eye shadow to do my eyebrows with rather than pencil as it can look a little harsh and little fake, where because an eye shadow is a powder its a lot softer but still gives the added colour! Benefit do loads of eyebrow kits, or you can just opt to buy a small angled brush and a cheap and cheerful brown matte eye shadow. Job done!
BYE
-Xx
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Golden Girls Of The Moment!
1: Of course it would have to be the completely iconic and beautiful Marilyn Monroe.
Oh Marilyn I could stare at you for days! I actually have a massive print of her framed above my bed thats how beautiful I think she is and how much I absoultely love her! Born on the 1st June 1926 its pretty fair to say Marilyn Monroe, orginally named at birth Norma Jeane Mortenson (bet you didn't know that!) she has become one of the worlds biggest icons from the 19th century. She's famous for and known for so many different things, such as the infamous white dress, happy birthday mr.president, red lips and beauty spots and her timeless quotes, I would actually say its fair to state that shes probably least famous for what she originally became famous for and that was her talent as an actress! Just quickly I thought I would throw in some things that I bet you didnt know about her....Her mum was a widow and mentally ill so gave her up to foster homes where she was nearly smothered to death at 2 and then almost raped at 6 and married a man she called Daddy at 16 and was divorced at 20, all before she became notoriously infamous!
Anyway I absoultely adore her for the fact she was pretty raw and a diamond in the rough, something I love about any female icon. Its these sort of qualities I normally find as a common denominator in the majority of ladies who inspire me and who I idolise! Her porcelain complexion is what makes me proud to be so pale these days in all orange world! And no one pulls off full red lips like she does, and I dont think anyone ever will be able to top it. She has an endless beauty that every girl looks at admiringly and so she has well deserved a place like so many others as my number one!
2: Again its pretty much a cliche but another old favourite of course has to be Audrey Hepburn.
For me I just love her mainly because of the cigarette holder, her quotes which I actually find are sometimes better than Marilyns and her eyebrows, so not much relevance directly to her make-up, which I guess it should be seeing as I am a make-up artist, but in general I find most of these girls just inspiring in everything, they give me the inspiration to draw on new ideas and to bring vintage back, everyone was so much more beautiful in the days of Audrey! No one plastered on the tan or had the locality and availability of all the quick fixes we have now, you either had it or you didnt and that is what I love so much about these women! Born on 4th May 1929 she was only a couple of years younger than Marilyn but she lasted a fair amount longer dying in 1993! She also came from a much more stable and fortunate background her father being a wealthy English banker, helping her become known as the girl with class setting her apart from a lot of her rivals.
3: I love you Edie, and if its quite alright I need you Edie! So yeah number 3 has got to be Edie Sedgwick! One of my newer loves who I cant believe before my obsession for all things old and vintage I had no idea about!!
OH she excites me!! I love her purely for the fact she is such a femme fatale! You dont get more innocently rough around the edges then Edie and her life literally fascinates me. Born on.... her parents had both suffered from mental illnesses and were told never to have children, yet they went on to have 8, Edie being the second youngest. In 1962 she was institutionalised for anorexia! Only a couple of years later 2 of her brothers had died and whom had both been in mental homes as well, Minty comitting suicide a day before he turned 26 and Bobby who crashed into a side of a bus on a motorbike! Already Edie had a whirlwind life before she met Andy Warhol in 1965, and fast became the Edie we all know. I love her chaos stricken life and the rawness but innocence she gives off in her pictures, theres always a vulnerability to her and I love it. I also love the whole femme/boy thing she could pull off so well, being a bit of chameleon with her amazing style and look!
4: Scandalous and sexy, Sophia Loren!
Another fairly new found treasure of mine!! Sophia was born in Italy so slightly more exotic than the others which is a main reason why I've come to love her so much. She was born in 1934 where her father was married to another woman whom he refused to divorce despite having 2 children with Romilda, Sophia's mum. Oh I love the history! I love her again for the natural beauty of it all, once again its a case of you either had it or you didnt and it was pure luck and getting spotted that made you! Its all about the big eyes and lips for me with Sophia and the simplicity of it all. I always think she looks moody but sexy and shes a great inspirition for subtly sultry looks!
5: Lets round it off with Katharine Hepburn!
What I actually love about Katharine is the fact I dont actually find her very beautiful at all! Theres 3 or 4 pictures of her that I have found that I actually think are pretty stunning, and the one I've used isnt actually one but I've used it because I find theres no denying the fact there is something massively striking about her that I can imagine would have just made people want to photograph her. Again she had a messy childhood and turned it all around for herself being born in 1907 and finding her brother dead after accidentally hanging himself at 14, and is a huge factor into why I love her as I seem to have a realy soft spot for femme fatales even though I only find this information out after wanting to research them from seeing beautful pictures. Her face and make-up isnt what really attracts me to her like I said but its the fact she seems to draw me in and make me question what it is about her that I like. Its easy to say shes pretty and shes got a great face etc espeically in this day and age, so Im going to keep my Katharine as a reminder to always look for something that little bit different and odd.
There you have it, my top 5 old girls of the moment.
BYE
-Xx
Anyway I absoultely adore her for the fact she was pretty raw and a diamond in the rough, something I love about any female icon. Its these sort of qualities I normally find as a common denominator in the majority of ladies who inspire me and who I idolise! Her porcelain complexion is what makes me proud to be so pale these days in all orange world! And no one pulls off full red lips like she does, and I dont think anyone ever will be able to top it. She has an endless beauty that every girl looks at admiringly and so she has well deserved a place like so many others as my number one!
2: Again its pretty much a cliche but another old favourite of course has to be Audrey Hepburn.
3: I love you Edie, and if its quite alright I need you Edie! So yeah number 3 has got to be Edie Sedgwick! One of my newer loves who I cant believe before my obsession for all things old and vintage I had no idea about!!
4: Scandalous and sexy, Sophia Loren!
5: Lets round it off with Katharine Hepburn!
There you have it, my top 5 old girls of the moment.
BYE
-Xx
First Blog.
Guys & Dolls,
So I'm just going to make this short and sweet as I am boiling hot from sitting in bed on the laptop creating this beautiful looking blog! And also pretty exhausted from staring at the screen and going back and forth, back and forth trying to make sure everything looks how I want it too.
I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the outcome so far, my slight bit of hardwork has paid off so far in the sense that at least it looks pretty for when people (fingers crossed) start having a look through it!
YAY.
So I will try to make sure I am back on here later posting a much more interesting and relevant blog! I need to do some research anyway.
BYE!
-Xx
So I'm just going to make this short and sweet as I am boiling hot from sitting in bed on the laptop creating this beautiful looking blog! And also pretty exhausted from staring at the screen and going back and forth, back and forth trying to make sure everything looks how I want it too.
I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the outcome so far, my slight bit of hardwork has paid off so far in the sense that at least it looks pretty for when people (fingers crossed) start having a look through it!
YAY.
So I will try to make sure I am back on here later posting a much more interesting and relevant blog! I need to do some research anyway.
BYE!
-Xx
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