February Update

February has been a busy and fun filled month for me! It was my hubbie's birthday so we treated ourselves to a holiday in Vegas(as you do!). We had an absolutely amazing time, it is definitely an experience I recommend and such a surreal place, I felt like I was on a movie set most of the time. Whilst there we saw a couple of great show's 'La Reve' a fabulous Cirque Du Soleil style show with unbelievable aqua acrobatics.  We also went to see Rod Stewart at the Colosseum at Ceasar's, this was the highlight of the trip for me, he gave an outstanding performance.  We ate at two of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants which were both great as was the buffet breakfast at the Bellagio (not to be missed). We did a lot of shopping as it is so much cheaper than the UK as well as a lot of walking around all the spectacular hotels. My favourite hotel's were the Bellagio, where we stayed, Ceasars Palace and The Venetian. The 'Warhol Out West' exhibition at the Bellagio was another highlight as were the famous Bellagio fountains and a gondola ride at the Venetian hotel.  We returned from glorious sunny, warm days to freezing cold England and yet even more snow!

Work has seen numerous wedding make-up trials ahead of weddings over the coming months. February also saw my first wedding of the year on the 23rd at The Manor of Groves hotel in Sawbridgeworth.  It was cold and snowing very lightly but was a fresh, bright day perfect for a winter wedding.
I also helped at an event at Sopwell House in St. Albans for a client team building day, it was a lot of fun.  I basically had to do glamorous hair and make-up in five minutes, yes you read that correctly five minutes!  I did this five times during the afternoon throughout a presentation being given by two presenters.  It was a really fun challenge and we were all really pleased with the results.
I also did a test shoot for some new portfolio shots on a freezing cold Sunday at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, possibly the coldest place in the UK that particular day. My hair-dryer was very handy for defrosting fingers and toes! Images from this shoot will be posted soon.


February was also filled with some of my favourite days of the year Pancake day, Valentines day and the sixteen year anniversary of meeting my husband so all in all a busy February!

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Oscar Make-up Brit' winners!

Huge congratulations to British make-up artists Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell for winning the Oscar for best hairstyling and make up for Les Miserables. Nominated alongside The Hobbit: An unexpected journey and Hitchcock.

Lisa Westcott has over thirty-five films to her credit including Shakespeare in Love and has now been nominated three times, this was Julie Dartnell's first nomination.

Well deserved!

Below Lisa Westcott (left) and Julie Dartnell accepting their award and Lisa can also be seen talking about the make-up in the short video below:

Mothers Day Make-up Offer

With Mother's Day just around the corner (Sunday March 10th) why not say thank you with the gift of a two hour make-up lesson.

I am currently offering one-to-one make-up lessons with a 20% discount for a limited time only throughout March and April 2013 inclusive.

Gift vouchers are available. Vouchers are also available for one hour make over session's, a perfect gift.

Please see www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Enquire now at nikimakeup@aol.com

Beauty Staple: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream can be found in many make-up artist's kits as a firm staple, also in the make-up bags of many a make-up junkie. This is because this great beauty product has many fabulous uses.

Try applying it as a lip balm daily for super glossy and moisturised lips. If you love to wear a lip colour apply eight hour cream on top to add a high gloss finish without the awful stickiness associated with lip gloss. You can also achieve dewy skin by patting a touch of Eight Hour Cream onto the cheekbones for a radiant glow.

Eight Hour Cream offers intense hydration so it is great to rub it to dry skin especially on the heels and elbows. Massage daily into cuticles to nourish and stimulate nail growth. It is especially good for any minor skin irritations and even helps to heal burns.

Finally add a sheen to finish your hairstyle by smoothing down the ends and stray hairs with a little on your fingertips.

Available at Amazon.com and Department stores.

Oral B 3D White Enamel protect

I just want to give this amazing toothpaste a little shout out!

I started using this recently when it launched and was impressed as I had been having some sensitivity in some of my teeth that was becoming really annoying on a daily basis. Within days of using this toothpaste the sensitivity went away but I didn't realise why. The tube ran out and I replaced it with the different Oral B 3D White 'Brilliance' toothpaste, within days the bad tooth sensitivity was back. I tried using the Oral B 3D white 'Enamel protect' again and sure enough my sensitivity is gone. I have been using the toothpaste a couple of months now and my teeth have never felt so clean and healthy and they are also looking visibly whiter. Overall I am really impressed with this toothpaste and thought I would share it with you. Available at Boots the Chemist and most supermarkets.

Make-up shopping in Vegas!

I have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Vegas!  It is probably no surprise I spent a lot of time make-up shopping while I was there so here is what I brought.

At Gatwick Airport YSL Touche Eclat duo pack, this is always a bargain and much cheaper than buying just one in the UK.  A definite must have product for any make up bag.

MAC Store The Forum Shops Ceasars Palace, this was my favourite shopping mall in Vegas.  I purchased a MAC Blot powder, two lip pencils in 'Boldly Bare' and 'Oak', 'Untitled' Eye paint and two palette eye shadows in 'Arena' and 'Blanc Type'.  ALL are staples for my make up kit.

In 'Sephora' my favourite store, I cannot believe we do not have it in the UK any more... I treated myself to a few products I have been wanting to try. Make up Forever HD Foundation, this certainly didn't disappoint  I LOVE this foundation and will be stocking up when I head to Spain in June!  Smashbox O-Glow, this is a gel like blush which gives a gorgeous natural berry pink flush to the cheeks and Smashbox Photo Op Under eye brightener a really great little wonder product for my kit.  I also got the Stila HD Bronzing beauty Balm which I have yet to test out but will blog this in the future!

The Outlet shopping mall South was really great for bargains, in the Elizabeth Arden shop I got an Eight hour cream for £10.00 another staple item that everyone should have in their beauty collection.