Getting NARSissist

For those that don't know the NARSissist Palette was released in stores yesterday (to John Lewis and NARS counters excluding Space NK). The largest eyeshadow palette they've released containing 15 of their best-selling shades. It was a big deal, to say the least.

 However, I left London on the Friday and left the task of getting one to my sister. Ahhh my sister, 

what a hero.

 I spent my morning sat in a dark corner, biting my nails, shaking, awaiting a phone call to say it was mine.

 At 1.58 disaster struck...

"They told the lady at the front of the queue that they're sold out, but John Lewis has 50 left! I'M RUNNING NOW"

Imagine the emotions that ran through me. When my phone rang again I was unsure whether to answer. I let it ring thinking "What if she was unsuccessful, would I be able to handle the news?".  I had to be strong.

I answered.

"I just got the last one they had in the cupboard".

Haha, so maybe that was a bit of an extreme introduction but it's true. To me this is the biggest make-up release in a really long time and I'm not surprised everybody went crazy for it. 

If you travel as much as I do you'll also love this for its size and packaging. For 15 shades it's incredibly sleek and they waste no space. In most palettes they include a brush and I'm so glad this doesn't. I think 9/10 brushes that come with a palette are awful and even then I'll always have one I prefer. All it means is I have a bulky palette but only need 70% of it.
For £50 it's a splurge item for me but I'm really happy with it. Each pan has just less than 1g of eyeshadow so it has a worth of about £91. So not bad at all.

I've seen mixed reviews on the quality of the shadows in this palette but I have no problems with mine. The colours transfer beautifully. I'm already crazy in love with Fez and I've only owned it for a day. Other shades I've been using are Bellissima, Nepal and Coconut Grove. There's also not a single shade I don't like. I think the range of colours is absolutely perfect, you can really achieve any look. I used it last night when I went to a Strictly Come Dancing themed party and today for a casual look. 

If this is out of your price range then I wouldn't worry - I still love my Urban Decay palettes just as much and they do achieve similar looks! I just simply couldn't help myself!

If you've tried any other eyeshadow palettes you love, please share and let me know!

January Favourites

Why have I always felt the need to write an intro for these?
It's my favourite beauty items from January.. 

MAC Lipstick in Chatterbox (Amplified) - £15

This was in my stocking at Christmas (thanks Santa!) and although I'd seen the colour in pictures and wanted to try it, I had no idea how beautiful it really was. It might even be my favourite lipstick ever, it's definitely up there. It's creamy and a fantastic lipstick, as always from MAC, but oh my the colour! It's a bright colour but I think incredibly wearable even for the day.

I am sorry, but you need this.

Zoeva Brushes Starting at around £5

So these are a German brand and because they were so cheap I didn't mind getting them direct and paying for the shipping. Seriously they're worth it and arrived so quick! They're such good quality for the price and I'm so impressed with them. They don't shed any hairs and withhold their shape (and I'm talking seriously, I clean my brushes in IPA). They've just released new sets so worth checking those out. I personally love 104 Buffer (as you can tell by the colour of it, gross), the 227 Soft Definer and the 102 Silk Finish.

Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25 - £17

Yes, I moved to London and immediately bought this. And yes, I'm a complete sucker and the beauty industry makes a fortune from me. I'd heard good things and was looking for a daily SPF to put under foundation. I'm a really pale skin and should always wear an SPF despite the weather, which I never used to do. This also comes in SPF 40 and it's beautifully lightweight. It has a sheer tint, but it's honestly sheer that even men could use this. However for very dark skins I'd say to try it first as it may give a grey look. I love it and think it actually works well as a primer or by itself to brighten the face.

Jessica Quick Dry Oil - £9.55 

Bought this on a whim because I hate waiting for my nails to dry and now I can't paint them without it. There's other products out there that claim the same thing but this is the first I've tried. It's revolutionary.  Well, it dries your nails super quick. I don't know how I lived without it.

All new finds this month and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Have you tried any new products that you've loved?

New Home

 No, I haven't disappeared off the face of the world. I temporarily disappeared off the blogosphere.

Why? Because I've just moved to London. 

So I've left home for the first time and moved to the capital city. As a country girl I can tell you it takes a little time to adapt to this (see picture above). I can actually walk to shops, mind blowing I know. 

I've also started studying at Greasepaint and I'm currently on the TV, Film & Theatre course. Which is something I've wanted to do since I was 15 and here I am doing it. It's impossible not to love every second of it.

So adapting to London life and starting an intense course is a good enough excuse for the lack of blog posts, SURELY? Ahh if only that was the reason.

 I've actually had no internet until now and a slight case of writers block.

I don't know where to start and I don't know what to write about.

However this is the most exciting part of my life so far and so I'm going to share it.

Here's some things I've been up to:

Seeing people remove Christmas trees the "london way".

Going to great coffee shops.

Lots...

And wearing beards. You know, the usual.

So I'm a little rusty at blogging, so what?

Back soon!

Basic Skincare Routine

For the past 6 months I've been investing more money into my skincare and finding a good routine (which used to be a make-up wipe and slapping on nivea). Without a doubt it's worth the time and money because looking after your skin in the long run, will pay off big time. There's only so much make-up can do, a good base is so important.

Here's my basic routine at the moment and the products I'm currently in love with:

Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm - £21

For £21 it's not cheap but it's certainly not as expensive as other cleansing balms that do the same thing. Also because it's a balm a little goes a long way, personally I think this is a very good price for what you get.

 This will take ALL your make-up off and it will do it effortlessly. It's for all skin types and even works for those with sensitive skin as it's not fragranced. I literally rub it into my eyelashes and it does not irritate even slightly. 

To use: Take a small amount, and massage into face (dry) over all make-up. Use a flannel or muslin cloth to wash away. I keep mine with a stack of cloths so I have a clean one for every day. 

After cleansing I go to:

Pixi Glow Tonic - £16

This is my go to toner, it's amazing, it's so cheap and I'm really sorry it's a bitch to get hold of!

This sorts out any of my dry and flaking patches of skin, it will really help if you're prone to break outs, it's just an amazing exfolliator. 

However, I also use the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfolliant (it lives at my boyfriends place) and I LOVE it! Little bit more expensive than pixi glow at £17 for 150ml but much easier to get your hands on.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Agent - £17 for 100ml

I have a tiny 50ml bottle that I got from the skincare starter set (worth a buy if you haven't used Aveda before) that seems to be lasting me ages. This is a toner I use on days when I'm taking a break from Pixi glow, or over Pixi glow. I can't really explain why I love it so much, but I really do. 

I love that it's a spray?! But honestly it's a great product that makes a difference. Lovely for dry skin. 

Hydraluron - £24.99

A hideous price but a great product, make sure you look out for when it's on offer at Boots. It's a serum you put on before moisturising and it absorbs instantly and absorbs your moisturiser. Works great with my dry skin, gives my skin a lovely plump appearance!

Origins Make A Difference + - £34

This is a new addition to my collection so I won't go into it too much. So far so good, feels lovely on the skin and really moisturising. I don't think you can go wrong with Origins when looking for a moisturiser.

I use it morning and night!

So that's it, my basic daily skincare routine! I think the most important part of skincare is that it is a routine, you need to stick to it. Even when you're tired or a make-up wipe is nearer! Do any of these ring a bell? Let me know what products you are using, I'd love to get some recommendations!

Hydraluron - 1/3 off!

Just a quick post today for all the other skincare junkies, Hydraluron is currently 1/3 off at Boots!

I'll just let that sink in...

Hydraluron is a serum that you apply before moisturising which increases your skins ability to retain moisture. It's heavily raved about over the blogosphere, by beauty gurus and skincare experts.  

Caroline Hirons mentioned it, so obviously I've been dying for it ever since.

If like me, you've been put off by the price (usually £24.99, now £16.66) now is the time to snap it up! 

It's consitency is gel like and feels slightly tacky but once applied absorbs almost instantly. If not, instantly. It's like magic! I've found it helps for my moisturiser to absorb very quickly too. This means you can apply a lighter moisturiser than you would usually (so great for those prone to breakouts, avoid a heavy cream but still leave skin hydrated).

 I'll do a more in-depth review of course but I just had to share!

Happy shopping!

Growing up

So as you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging lately.
In July I finished my 2 year make-up course at college, with top grades, and life was glorious.

I also had it lined up that in January I would be studying at my dream school Greasepaint.

Utterly, utterly glorious.

All it meant was I then had to work my arse off for the next 6 months to save money for the hell that is living in London. As lots of you may know, working 40 to 50 hours a week in a crappy retail job takes it's toll. Yes I have something to aim for and got to do make-up work on the side, but oh boy does it take it's toll. On top of that I've been, and still am, searching for somewhere to live in London. Well that's a nightmare, let's leave it at that.

The good news is that this week I handed in my notice at my crappy retail job. To anyone else in a dead end job that they hate I highly suggest that you do the same, it's a wonderful experience. I have four weeks left now at my 2 (yes 2!) hideous jobs, and it's time to focus more on writing again. I started this blog so that I can share my experiences while training and working as a Make-Up Artist. To recomend products I've tried and tested, to say to those in the same position "Hey it's hard for me too, I get it", and to generally just share my love for the industry. 

What a better time to do that when I'll be a student at (in my opinion) one of the best make-up schools in the country. 

So I'm sorry for the absence and stay tuned for my return to the blogosphere.

ps. to those of you in jobs you hate, I feel you sister. 

It's never too late.

Brighter Place

Gahhhh, so I've waited to write about this post since July. JULY.

At the start of the Summer I was asked to do the make-up for a music video for RedTails debut single Brighter Place. I of course jumped at the chance and I'm glad that I did!

Firstly, the band are great! Lovely, talented people who are clearly so passionate about what they do.
The song is fantastic and if you like it too it's available to download here.
And lastly, not to blow my own trumpet, the video looks amazing.

The video was shot in two parts over two days. 

For the first look I got a message saying "Think David Bowie as thin white duke, The Fifth Elementm, Paramore Now music video."

What a beautiful, beautiful sentence. 

I had the freedom to be really creative with this look and I just love how it came out.

I went with icy blues and pale skin and worked with the sharp lines of her hairstyle. 

This is Ciara Baron from A Trickle Of Meaning, and doesn't she look amazing? If you're not a follower of her blog (and why not?) go over and take a look!

For the second part I created a look for the singer of Redtails, the beautiful Colette.
Contrasting to the cold blues and whites on Ciara, I used warm gold and copper tones for Colette.

Colette has her own individual style that we really wanted to work with rather than change. The colours suited her skin tone and, (by complete chance as I only met her on the day) went PERFECTLY with her highlights.

(I will be doing a post on this make-up look, I promise)

 I love the footage of Colette, as well as Rick (keys/vocals) and Dan (drums), because it just shows what passion really is. How it feels to love what you do.
This picture shows it alone.
 The two days I worked on this video were brilliant purely because it was a bunch of people doing what they absolutely love. The band, obviously. Me, well duh.
But also the actors and the crew. Which was mostly made up of students.
It was just a great thing to be a part of and to watch.

So please go over to the YouTube video by clicking here and let the band and the people who worked hard on this video what you thought by leaving a comment or a thumbs up!
You can also just watch it at the top of this post too if you're feeling lazy.

For those of my regular readers and make-up enthusiasts who are wondering "What's going on!? Where's the make-up reviews?" I will be doing another post or two on the make-up looks I created in this and the products I used, so stay tuned!

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Director/Producer: Scott Hayden