Smokey Eyes - Eid look

Hi all, happy Ramadan! I was requested to do a Smokey eye make-up look and I thought it would be the perfect time to do a make-up tutorial on it now, just in time for Eid! 

There are so many variations of the Smokey eyes look, you can go for the classic black Smokey eyes, keep it natural and add black to the ends, add colours and with different nuance of the colours. It's entirely up to you, go crazy with colours if you like!! 

In the tutorial I uploaded on my YouTube channel, I did my face first and then the eyes, but I used a make-up shield to prevent fallouts under the eye area. If you're doing this look for the first time on yourself, I would recommend you do the eyes first, as it can get very messy. 

Start off by applying primer or any concealer on the eye area. Some people have a problem with eye-shadows creasing and that happens if you don't use a base on your eyelid. You can use a nude eye-shadow if you don't have an eye primer. Using a base on the eye-lid helps you with blending, lasts longer and prevents it from creasing or smudging through the day. Once the eye area has been prepared, it's time to add highlight just under the brows. I used a cream shade from the Smashbox FAQ's eye-shadow palette as a highlighter on the brow bone. I've had this palette which I got from QVC a while back now and I think it was a limited edition, it has 5 lovely shades, a cream, orange/peach, brown and grey, I can't remember what the other one was as I dropped it and broke the mirror inside (ooooops bad luck) and the one of the shades popped out too! I used the MAC 239 brush to dab it onto the brow bone.  

To contour the eye, I applied the "Tease" shade from the Urban Decay: Naked 2 palette into the socket of the eye, I used the Sigma E25 Blending brush to blend it in from the outer corner area and took it into the front in circular motions. To make the black appear better in pictures, it's best to apply a gel liner as a base on the eyelid, therefore I applied Illamasqua's Precision Gel Liner in Infinity. I used the Sigma E35 Tapered Blending brush to apply the gel on the outer corner and faded it into the front of the eye, but not all the way. 

Using the shade #65 from Inglot, I applied it over the base. I applied this with the Sephora 10 brush again from the outer corner and faded it into the front. If you did the make-up on your face first, then make sure you tap the brush so that any excess powder falls off before you apply the shadow on your lid. It's your choice how high you want to take the black shade, personally on myself I don't like it too high up but if you prefer to, you can blend it upwards so it fades into your crease by gently going up in a circular motion.

If you want to add shimmer then apply an iridescent shade of your choice at the front or on the middle of your eyelid. I used the shade "Pistol" from the Urban Decay, Naked 2 palette and I applied this using the Sephora 28 shadow brush, you can use any flat shade brush to apply this. Then I blended the black into this as I didn't want the grey to show as much.

I applied the shade orange/peach from the Smashbox FAQs eye-shadow palette in between the crease and the brow bone as a transition colour to create that ombre effect. I applied this using the Sigma E45 small tapered brush.

Using the Sigma E10 small eye liner brush I applied Illamasqua Precision Gel liner in the water line and then at the top. Then I used the Sigma E20 Short Shader brush for smudging to minimise the harshness and make it look more smokey. 

Then I curled my lashes and applied the Tarte Cosmetics: Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara on the bottom lashes first as it instantly opens up your eyes, then I applied it at the top. I complete the whole look by applying false lashes from SalonSystem: natural lash, I used #120. 

Please check out my Smokey-Eyes make-up tutorial: 

http://youtu.be/ARYTFF9bbaU

Thank you

Tarte Cosmetics: Best Face Forward beauty kit review

I ordered this new beauty set from QVC by Tarte Cosmetics which is an American brand. Now I just have a thing for American make-up products but I've never tried any of their products before and wanted to know what all the hype was about. So I was watching QVC last week and when I watched the launch of the products I thought OK so I need to really try this brand out, plus it was a great deal not to be missed only for £38.40 plus P & P. Although the price has gone up I feel it's still a great value. You can purchase this set on here:http://www.qvcuk.com/tarte-6-Piece-Best-Face-Forward-Make-Up-Collection-&-Bag.product.208035.html. Let me tell you my first impression on using the kit. 

When I opened the box I was like wow I loved the colour combination and design of the products and the make-up bag looked so cute. Apparently it's only designed for QVC so it's limited edition people!! You can use the make-up bag to put your everyday make-up products in or take it on a holiday. I really needed one like this for my holiday I just came back from India last month.

Anyway's let's get on with the products. You'll get one Amazonian clay eye-shadow quad which contains 4 beautiful warm/neutral colours: 2 matte (Ivory Little Thing and Love Runs Deep) and 2 shimmery shades (Heart of Gold and on Copper the World). The colours are very well pigmented and are designed to mattify and control oil for more of a long-wear because of the natural ingredients they use from the Amazon rainforest. This is also limited edition so you can only get it if you buy the whole set. 

You will love the 4 in 1 mascara called: Lights, Camera, Lashes which curls, lengthens, adds volume and conditions your natural lashes as it's infused with plant botanicals and waxes which will protect your lashes unlike other mascaras which can damage your lashes. If you just apply one coat on both lashes I think it will do the trick as I applied the mascara on one eye first, then dipped it back into the product to apply on my other eye, but it clumped as there was enough product left previously.

Now my favourite product from the kit would be the coloured clay CC primer. They have 5 different shades: fair, light, medium, tan and deep. You can match the shades available to your skin tone, but it doesn't have to match exactly same as you can apply foundation over it. My shade is medium. At first, when I applied the primer onto my face I thought it was slightly dark for me and made me look like I had a tan, but once I blended it on, it was a perfect tone for me and I didn't even have to wear foundation over. The texture was similar to the Benefit Porefessional primer and I love using that product as a base. The design of the actual product is like a hourglass wheel, it has one tone of purple then the colour of your skin, then goes onto a green shade and finally another skin shade. There are many benefits for you using this primer. The specially designed stick helps to blur imperfections, helps with discolouration and eliminates redness. It doesn't feel like you're wearing anything, it really let's your skin breathe. Your skin will look and feel more smooth after applying this product. It's also great for sensitive skin or older skin as it consists of natural oils and natural preservatives which are friendly for your skin.

I've never been fond of blushers that are combined together with a bronzer and highlighter so the Coloured Clay Bronzer Blush in Pink Bronze would be my least favourite product. Overall it does give you a sun-kissed look if that's what you prefer.  I just have a certain way of applying a bronzer, blusher and highlighter separately. 

I love the Double Ended Complexion Brush, one side is like a kabuki flat brush which you can use to buff the foundation onto your skin with, and the other end is tapered so you can use it to apply the blusher or use it for contouring. The bristles are super soft, outstanding quality and feel great on the skin. 

Last but not least is the Lip Surgence lip crème in Vintage and the shade they provided is Honeysuckle Pink. Upon applying this product it feels and tastes absolutely great and looks flattering. It doesn't make your lips feel dry or chapped, it's very creamy and doesn't feel like you have anything on. It's infused with vitamins C & E, plus peppermint and jojoba oil. For those of you who have come across jojoba oil will know the marvellous benefits to the skin after using it. Jojoba oil is a liquid wax which is extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant. It's greatly used to boost hydration whether used on the lips, on your skin or for other parts of your body. 

Please check out the quick make-up demo I did on my YouTube channel on here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R7bxjeeJxQ&feature=youtu.be. I created the whole look using this kit and the only additional products I used was the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow pomade in chocolate shade and the Benefit Erase Paste in medium to hide my dark circles.  

Day to day make-up look

Hi ladies,
I do apologise for taking forever to write this blog! So when I did my previous post I was asked to do many looks. My first request came from facebook, to demonstrate how to do an everyday make-up look for busy mamas with bubbas. Being a mama myself, with a 15 month year old, I know it's difficult to really pamper yourself everyday. My son doesn't sleep much and neither do I (there goes my beauty sleep). However, I do feel every mother deserves to look good, not just for her husband but for herself. If you look good on the outside you will definitely feel good inside too! Well that's what I believe. The first video tutorial I've posted on my YouTube channel demonstrates how I normally would do my everyday make-up look. Now I'm sorry about the lighting and the angles, but this is my first vlog so please bare with me as I'm new to this and I'm just experimenting.

I prefer to use neutral colours for an everyday look, my favourite palette for this type of look is the Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay. The shades are very pigmented and you have a variety of colours to choose from.

Begin by applying the shade "Dust" on the inner corner of your eyelid using the flat side of the brush provided in the palette. Then apply the shade "Lunar" on the outer corner of your eyelid. Always apply a light colour at the inner corner and a dark colour on the outer corner. After applying the two shades, blend them by using the rounded side of the brush to eradicate the harsh lines in a circular motion. Start from the inner corner, work your way to the middle then go from the outer corner back to the middle. Add a warm colour to the socket, I applied the shade "Limit". Then apply the shade "Strange" on the brow bone as a highlighter. To define your eyes slightly, add the shade "Factory" to the crease line and blend.
After applying the eye-shadows, clean any excess powder that may have fallen from under your eyes and curl your eyelashes. Then apply mascara, I used the Sephora volumising mascara.

If you have dark circles prep your under-eyes by using the Erase paste by Benefit, the one I've used is in colour medium. Using your index finger plot 3 dots under your eyes and blend into the skin gently. Then apply your concealer, I've used Illamasqua's "Skin Base Lift" concealer in shade medium 2.

To do the top eye-liner, I've used Illmasqua's Precision Gel liner in "Infinity". It's the best gel liner I've ever used as it glides on easily and doesn't smudge. Use an angled eyeliner brush or any other eye-liner brush, I've used the bent liner brush number 23 by Sephora, I always start from the corner of the eye and if your prefer, add a wing at the end.

After completing your eye make-up, apply foundation. I've used Illamasqua's Skin Base foundation in shade SB7, now this shade is more lighter than my actual skin tone. I find this foundation amazing for Asian skin tones, it's not too heavy and gives you a great finish. I used a foundation brush number 47 by Sephora to apply the foundation. Use a beauty sponge to blend it into your skin.

Using the brush 163 by MAC apply shade "Harmony" to contour your cheeks. Squeeze your cheeks in and start from where your ear lobe is and draw line down going towards your lips. Apply the shade "Satin blush in candlelit pink" by Smashbox using Sigma blusher brush number F35. Add a highlighter, I've used the Illamasqua's Illuminator shade "Gleam" and applied it using the 227 brush by MAC. Then blend, blend and blend using the light powder brush by Sephora.

To define your eyebrows. use the Brow-Zings eyebrow palette by Benefit. Use the slanted brush and start from the arch and fill any gaps where required. Brush the eyebrows through with any brow brush.

Finally finish the look by applying lip liner and gloss. I used the lip liner by 17 in "Valentine" and the lip gloss from Smashbox "Pink Sugar". Now you're ready to go do some cooking! Hope you enjoyed watching and reading my make-up tutorial. If you have any suggestions feel free to leave a comment on message me! Have a nice day!

Go Sophisticated! flexoffers

Welcome to all my readers. This is my first blog ever! Whenever I doll up for an occasion I'm always asked how I do my makeup and what products I use. Also at my bookings, I'm always advising my clients on the products I use on them and a majority of them usually contact me after the booking (after all the compliments they've been given ;) ) to find out exactly what I used on them so I thought why not share some of my advice and tips to more ladies out there! I hope you all enjoy reading my first blog, (sorry about the quality of the images, I used my phone) so here it goes...

Products I used to create this look:  

EYES: 

Urban Decay Original Eye Primer. Price - £16.00. Available from urbandecay.co.uk and Debenhams 

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream. Price - £25.50. Available from benefitcosmetics.com, ASOS.com, Boots and Debenhams

Illamasqua Precision Gel Liner, colour: Infinity. Price - £18.50. Available from Illmasqua.com and the Illmasqua stores.

Illmasqua Eye Colouring Pencil, colour: Sophie. Price - £15.00. Available from Illmasqua.com and the Illmasqua stores.     

          

Illmasqua Skin Base Lift Brightening Concealer, colour: light 2 & medium 1. Price - £17.50. Available from Illmasqua.com and the Illmasqua stores. 

Elizabeth Arden Double Density Mascara, colour: black. Price - £21.00. Available from elizabetharden.com, Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis

Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit. Price - £24.50. Available from benefitcosmetics.com, ASOS.com, Boots and Debenhams

Dior 5 Couleurs - Couture Colours & Effects Eyeshadow Pallette. Price - £42.00. Available from dior.com, sephora.com, Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis. 

FACE:

Benefit: Total Moisture Facial Cream. Price - £28.50. Available from benefitcosmetics.com, ASOS.com, Boots and Debenhams

Diorskin Star Foundation, colour: 031 Price - £32. Available from dior.com, sephora.com, Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis.          

Illmasqua: Light Liquid Foundation, colour 335. Price - £27 (product is discontinued)

Benefit: Rockitude, Rockin Rose Gold Lip & Cheek Kit. Price - £25.50. Available from benefitcosmetics.com, ASOS.com, Boots and Debenhams

   

LIPS: 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant Stick. Price - £20. Available from elizabetharden.co.uk, boots.com, Debenhams and John Lewis 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain, colour 11 Rouge Gouache. Price - £25. Available from sephora.com, Boots, Debenhams, House of Frase and John Lewis. 

TOP 5 PRODUCTS REVIEW

My top 5 products for Autumn 2014

1. DiorSkin Star Studio Makeup Spectacular Brightening Weightless Perfection 

Before foundation (I'm only wearing concealer under my eyes) 

"DiorSkin Star Studio Makeup Spectacular Brightening Weightless Perfection SPF30 Inspired by the professional illuminating techniques and expertise of its makeup artists. Dior invents DiorSkin Star, it's 1st brightening foundation: a weightless fluid capable of instantly and over time recreating the spectacular and perfecting light of Dior's studios" (leaflet)

This foundation is the latest foundation by Dior it's the updated version of the DiorSkin Nude foundation. When I wear foundation I want it to look natural as though I'm not wearing foundation, this new liquid foundation gives you that fresh look with a light coverage, evanescent texture and you're still able to hide any small blemishes you have on your face. It's long-lasting so you can apply it early in the morning before going to work and it will last you until you need to get changed into your pyjamas! Overall if you're after a matte finish and not the typical dewy finish then this is made for you. I must say, It's a little pricey but definitely worth splurging for! 

After 

The first thing I always do before applying makeup is exfoliate. I find it the best method to cleanse the face as it removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and it helps to smoothen the skin. I use Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Scrub for normal and combination skin as I have normal skin type. After cleansing my face and before applying the foundation I usually use primer from Smashbox but I recently purchased Benefit's Total moisturising cream and I'm in love with the thing, it feels so refreshing, so I decided to ditch the primer. I applied the foundation with the Sephora foundation brush, I only squirted the bottle twice and had enough to apply it on my face. After application I used a makeup sponge to blend the foundation. 

Now you can see from the before and after, how my skin looks more brighter. I think the sun was shining on my face more when I took the after shot. It really does give you a flawless coverage, the results almost look airbrushed!

2. Dior 5 Couleurs - Couture Colours & Effects Eye-Shadow Palette: Trafalgar   

"Dior reinvents the 5 Couleurs legend. True to the bold colour creation from the House of Dior, each harmony explores a unique world of colour. Based on a central shade, the signature of the palette, 4 accessory shades are used to create a multi-faceted look. The 5 Couleurs palette boasts a wide variety of textures and shades with a host of effects: matte, satiny, iridescent and ultra-shimmery for infinite ways to convey Colour and dress the eyes with exceptional makeup. Like a couture wardrobe for the eyes, 5 Couleurs gives free rein to your creativity to achieve custom makeup results. Dior has also created two ready-to-wear looks for the eyes - natural and sophisticated - based on the central shade." (www.dior.com)

I absolutely love this amazing palette, the colours are vibrant, shimmery and are just gorgeous to be used for any occasion. Each eye-shadow has an impeccable pigmentation, it's long lasting and has versatile textures for a lustrous gaze. The shades stay fresh through-out the day even if you don't use an eye primer. You can use the lighter shades to create a natural look and the darker colours for more of a prominent look. If you like to be creative with your makeup then this is the palette for you! 

To create a sophisticated look using the Dior palette I applied the gold satin shade in the inner corner of my eyelid after I applied the Urban Decay eye primer. Then I applied the plum shade in the outer corner of the eye and extended it outwards to widen the eye area. After blending the two shades I added the red shade in the crease line and blended it. I completed the look by adding the ivory iridescent shade on the brow bone area and the pink iridescent shade in the inner corner. 

I only did a double coat, perhaps next time I will add more layers of the eye-shadow, as for photography you need more colour! I knew that already but as I took the images under spot light, the colours are not shown as prominently. 

3. Rockitude: Rockin' Rose Gold Lip and Cheek Kit

"Get off-the-charts sexy with our rockin’ rose gold lip & cheek kit! Create a show-stopping “rush of heat” with our famously provocative rockateur cheek powder, complementing gloss and all-time bestsellers benetint and high beam. " (www.benefitcosmetics.com) 

The kit includes the Benetint rose-tinted lip and cheek stain, High Beam luminescent complexion enhancer, Rockateur blusher and Rockateur ultra plush lip gloss. 

Following the tips given in the leaflet with the box, I applied 3 strokes of the Benetint on the apples of my cheek and blended the line using my fingers. Then I applied the Rockateur powder using the small brush provided on the same place. I had to use my own blusher brush by Sephora to blend it. To add the final touches, I appplied 3 dots of the High Beam on my cheekbones. I didn't use the lip gloss as I went for an alternative option for the final look but I did try it for another look and it was great, it kept my lips very moist! Overall my favourite product from this has to be the High Beam highlighter.  

I took this picture after eating a bar of chocolate
and I also had a glass of orange juice.  

4. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain: Rouge Gouache

I love, love, love this stain it's just wowwwwww! It has a creamy texture, extremely pigmented, vibrant, and is long-lasting. It's not clumpy neither does it smudge. It literally stayed on for at-least 6 hours even when I had lunch and snacks. The applicator brush is slightly tilted compared to other stains I've used which are straight on. I applied the first layer and it felt like I was dabbing water onto my lips and was slightly patchy so I let it dry for a few sceonds and then added another coat to it which gave it more of an opaque, shine finish. This particular shade would be very flattering on medium to dark skin tones. 

5. Illmasqua Precision Gel Liner: Infinity 

"The eyeliner soon to be the mainstay in the make-up bags of every beauty enthusiast, Precision Gel Liner recreates the fluidity of a liquid liner in the ease of a gel. Creating a smooth, rich black line from the first application, the long-lasting and water-resistant formula is guaranteed to stay in place all day." (www.illamasqua.com)

In my experience this has to be the best gel liner in the market! The gel consistency glides effortlessly, it's best used to create winged eyeliner only if you have a good eyeliner brush. It doesn't dry out easily and doesn't smudge as it's water-resistant so you don't have to worry about ruining your eye makeup after watching an emotional scene at a movie with your partner. If you like the dark dramatic look then this needs to be in your make-up bag!!!

I hope you all found my reviews helpful,  if you have any questions about any of the products or if you would like to share your experience on any of these products, then feel free to leave a comment! Thank you for your time! XxX  

About Sam B

I'm a professional hair & make-up artist, trained by the Lubna Rafiq Academy, based in London. I specialise in bridal, engagement and party hair and make-up. Every bride wants to feel special on her big day. I have a profound interest in my work and will fulfil your expectations through my creative techniques and skills. I feel that, as an Artist, it is crucial to constantly refresh my ideas and I find inspiration everywhere I look. From a very young age I was always fascinated by the world of fashion and beauty. I focus on enhancing my client’s natural beauty and features to make them feel elegant and vibrant, so that they can leave a great ever lasting impression on their big day. 

As I am a freelance hair and make-up artist I will travel to your chosen location, whether it's at your home or your wedding/party venue.

Please feel free to contact me for additional information on hair and make-up packages I have to offer.