January Update!

I had a lovely Christmas and New Year break, I hope you did too!

New Year was nice and quiet this year we visited Cley in Norfolk for a few days just me, my husband and our little pooch. It was freezing but sunny at least so we enjoyed some lovely country and beach walks alongside hearty pub stops.

I had three stand out fabulous Christmas presents this year a Joseph Joseph makeup station with mirror for my own personal use instead of a makeup bag overspilling and a separate brush set and a separate mirror it holds everything in one place and also a signed Bobbi Brown book which I devoured in a couple of days (I read all of Bobbi's books as teenager and she inspired me greatly to become a makeup artist) plus my cosy John Lewis new slippers which I literally barely take off.

I hate January and winter in general is just awful for me so I tend to hibernate as much as I possibly can... there has been a lot of Netflix and chill mode activated!  Also finishing off lots of Christmas left over chocolates and cakes...finally finished the delicious Christmas cake I made too.

My Chosen Guiding word for 2026 is "JOY" and I am truly trying to find joy in everything I do and bring a little joy to others.  I am making time for painting this year and when not in my makeup studio working I have been painting which has certainly brought me immense joy!

I have even been enjoying getting arty with my breakfast presentation!

It has certainly been a busy time for bookings this month and next year is looking very busy for weddings already so do book suppliers early to avoid any disappointment!

I have held a few makeup workshops this month which I really enjoyed and I have met some lovely ladies along the way.  I am planning lots more throughout this year so do keep an eye on my instagram and website for updates if you are interested. It has also been lovely meeting lots of my 2026 Brides for their pre-wedding trials as well.   I am looking forward to working at some gorgeous local venues over the coming months.

For all Bridal booking enquiries see www.nikimakeup.co.uk and event/shoot enquiries www.nikimakeup.com

FRIDAY FAVE! Charlotte's Magic cream

Charlotte Tilbury's magic cream is a firm favourite in my pro-makeup kit.

This is the first product that Charlotte created, born backstage to revive supermodel's skin. This will make your skin glow and your makeup will thank you for it too!

Contains SPF 15 & Hyaluronic acid + vitamins C & E + peptide complex. These ingredients work to smooth, brighten, hydrate, calm and plump the skin.  Also contains Camellia oil to give a dewy complexion.

Four available sizes 15ml, 30ml, 50ml and 10ml and refillable sizes are also available in the 50ml and 150ml (£28-£195).

I personally love as you open inside the box the method of the "Tilbury Tap" a five minute facial massage you can do to promote elasticity and the skin's appearance, it is a great opportunity for some daily self care.

1. COMPLEXION BOOST

Start from the lower cheek, sweep the cream out & up. Tap fingertips across the cheeks, avoiding the eye contour.

2. DEFINE CONTOURS

Place fingers under cheekbones and, applying light pressure, smooth outwards and upwards along the cheekbone

3. DEFINE JAWLINE

Gently pinch chin with fingers, moving up and along your jawline in one sweeping motion.

4. SMOOTH FURROWS

Starting in the middle of the forehead, massage in circular motions moving out to the temples. Pat the excess into the skin using your ring fingers.

5. MASSAGE NECK AND DÉCOLLETAGE

Applying gentle pressure, massage along the décolletage and up to the neck in an upward lifting motion.

I love to apply this to my clients ten minutes before makeup so that makeup sits beautifully on top and looks radiant.

The jar also looks gorgeous especially if on display on a dressing table and not in the bathroom cabinet like mine!

A firm "Friday Fave"!

Use my unique code CT-PRO7ALRD8Q5 to save 15% for online purchases at https://www.charlottetilbury.com

December update!

I love Christmas it is such a magical time! December has flown by! I have enjoyed festive drinks and dinners with friends and family, seen Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, watched Christmas films as well as Stranger things and Emily in Paris.  I have enjoyed Christmas shopping and wrapping presents and some lovely time spent with my pooch @rufustheredtoypoodle. I am looking forward to spending time with family over Christmas and having a rest as well as lots of fun!

I had one last wedding on December 20th which was lovely and festive and have been busy with makeup lessons, hair & makeup pre-wedding trials and lots of Special Occasion bookings.

Every year since 2020 I choose my guiding word for the year! I am not sure why I started this I think I read it in a book somewhere but I love to do it and the chosen word I really try to follow throughout the whole year. For 2026 I have chosen "Joy", it feels like such a perfectly aligned choice for me I have felt joy ever since I chose it a few weeks ago now.  For those that follow my Instagram Monday Motivation posts look out for lots of Joy filled posts in the New Year! I aim to take joy in even the small daily things and hope to spread a little joy to those around me.

There are so many little moments that make Christmas special for me, but I really do love to make my own Christmas pudding and a Christmas cake... the scent in the air when cooking is divine that is when it fills like Christmas to me!  I hope you all have a joyful Christmas with family and friends or maybe even taking time for yourself to enjoy the little things that you love! 

Thank you for reading my monthly ramblings!

Merry Christmas and I wish you a Happy & Healthy 2026!

Niki x

November Update!

I am already enjoying the festive season! Our tree and decorations are up early this year on November 23rd! For me it just makes the cold and darker days so much brighter adding in a little bit of Christmas magic!

We got a shiny new tree this year too which I actually love as I have always preferred a real tree but had heard such good things about the Balsam Hill ones that we had to give them a try! We are both really pleased as it is just what we wanted narrow and full and very realistic. https://www.balsamhill.co.uk

November began with me hosting a makeup workshop which was a lovely morning spent with a great group of ladies learning new make up tips. If you are interested in 2026 workshops keep an eye on my website https://www.nikimakeup.co.uk  for dates or Instagram updates @nikimakeup.  The next dates are 23.01.25 5-7pm and 24.01.26 11-1 pm in Harpenden, Herts.  I can also offer bespoke workshops if you would like to do one with 5-6 friends.

My last November wedding was at the beautiful Huntsmill farm in Buckinghamshire https://huntsmillweddings.co.uk where I am very privileged to be a longstanding supplier.

I loved creating this soft loose bun style with dried flowers.

This month I have also been busy with lots of 1:1 makeup lessons and pre-wedding trials as well as special occasion hair and makeups for Christmas parties and birthdays!  Christmas came even earlier to my makeup studio on 12th November! I am loving all the lips and makeup baubles I am finding too!  I have enjoyed meeting so many lovely new clients recently and working in my studio has been just the dream!

Charlotte Tilbury kindly sent me a wonderful package of goodies in a gorgeous Charlotte Tilbury stocking, do go check out the Black Friday sale and grab a great saving! https://friends.charlottetilbury.com/a/niki.l

Outside of work I have been enjoying getting festive from Christmas decorating and shopping to a few early Christmas celebrations as well as my much loved dog walks although it has been too cold for me... We even had a smattering of snow in Hertfordshire. 

If you love dogs you can also follow Rufus's adventures over on Instagram @rufustehredtoypoodle

I dabbled with a little art here and then too!

We visited for the first time https://thewoodyardbrasserie.co.uk for the most delicious roast lunch and we will definitely be back, a lovely festive experience. We both felt like we had stepped back in time!

We also had a great Italian lunch whilst Christmas shopping in London and they allow dogs too so Rufus could join us.  I love it when the great restaurants allow dogs!  https://www.boccadilupo.com We are also taking him with us to https://joeallen.co.uk and http://josepizarro.com/venues/pizarro-restaurant-bermondsey/ in December, he is a very spoiled pooch!

We visited The bear club a great little gem in Luton, do check it out if you are local we have seen some great jazz here multiple times!  https://www.the-bear.club

If you are looking for a unique gift why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher for a makeover or a makeup lesson with me.  Vouchers can be purchased easily in a couple of clicks on my website right up until midnight on Christmas eve https://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Thank you for reading!

Niki x