January Update!

A busy month of wedding makeup trials and some hair and makeup trials ahead of spring/summer weddings, it is going to be a busy year!




I have had lots of one-to-one makeup lessons as well as a group makeup lesson all locally in Harpenden.  I am happy to visit you in the comfort of your own home for lessons or you can visit me in Harpenden.



Eased into shoots slowly this month with just a couple which meant I have had time to plan and schedule work and some exciting new makeup workshops will be coming soon.



This is me at the Offley Place Open Evening, my last wedding show until the Autumn!
https://www.offleyplace.com




Why not treat your Mum to something a little different this Mothers day weekend and yourself to boot!  Tea and cake will be provided at this fun spring makeup workshop, book early to avoid disappointment.




To enquire or book for weddings, proms, events, workshops and lessons drop me an email at nikimakeup@aol.com

http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Friday Fave!: OLAPLEX No.6

I have been using OLAPLEX NO.6 as a leave-in hydrating treatment after drying my hair since it launched last year.  I apply a small amount to my fingertips and smooth through my hair after drying mostly to the mid-lengths and ends. This small amount tames frizz, adds shine and moisture to my hair which definitely feels much stronger and shinier.  I love that it doesn't weigh the hair down or leave a greasy residue.
My hairdresser commented that my hair was in a very healthy condition considering it is so long and highlighted, I think OLAPLEX No. 6 has something to do with that! You only need to use a small amount as it is concentrated, the bottle will certainly last you well.  It can also be applied to damp hair and combed through and will offer heat protection and speed up blow drying!  I prefer to use it as a leave-in styling treatment after drying as it finishes my hair by adding beautiful smoothness and shine that I didn't have before!

Made from natural and vegan ingredients it smoothes, repairs and strengthens all hair types. OLAPLEX is a singular molecule developed by world-class material scientists.  A unique chemistry that is an absolute "Game Changer" I love it!  It also contains Coconut oil and Vitamin E as well as OLAPLEX.

Top Tip: Apply at night for amazing next day hair.



RRP. £26.00
Available at SpaceNK
https://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/haircare/styling/hair-cream/no.-6-bond-smoother-MUK300053881.html

Friday Fave!:Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

This moisturiser has been in my Professional makeup kit now for a good few years it is much loved by my clients and smells simply divine with its uplifting scent of grapefruit and geranium!

A Bobbi Brown Cult beauty buy!  It doubles up as a primer and moisturiser ideally suited for normal to oily skin types.

Oil-free. paraben and sulfate free and suitable for vegan beauty fans.  It contains shea butter, vitamins C, B, and E to moisturise.  A rich yet non-greasy moisturiser that is the perfect primer before makeup application.

This is a firm staple in my pro' kit, I highly recommend as a daily moisturiser.



RRP. £44.50 50ml
https://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/product/14007/7485/skincare/moisturiser/vitamin-enriched-face-base

Friday Fave: Pure Gold Collagen

For my Fortieth Birthday in September 2019 my Mum kindly gave me amongst many other beautiful gifts a box of ten 'Pure Gold Collagen' drinks saying 'you are not getting any younger!' She meant well!

Collagen is produced naturally in the body within bones, skin and muscles but at around age 25 production starts to decline and from then on continues to do so.  Levels in the body can be effected by smoking, sugar, UV rays and the menopause in women.  Skin ageing can be associated with decreased collagen levels as it will lead to wrinkles and sagging skin, therefore a collagen supplement will help to preserve the skins firmness and elasticity.

Pure Collagen Gold is a liquid Beauty Supplement containing Copper, Zinc, Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin B6 as well as 5000mg of Hydrolysed Collagen (from fish) designed to promote younger looking skin and help support healthy hair and nails, support skin hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  It is available to purchase in a box containing ten bottles, I buy them from Costco as I receive great trade value there.  Singular bottles are also available if you would like to try the taste prior to investing in a box.

Quite a few of my Clients have been taking a Collagen supplement and my mum herself has been taking it for a couple of years and swears by it to improve her skin, hair and even her joints.
I am now a convert and have been taking a Gold Collagen drink every day for the last few months (other similar brands are available).  I definitely see my skin is more hydrated and radiant and my makeup appearance is much better than before I started using it.  The disappearance of wrinkles will be next!!

I prefer Pure Collagen Gold to other options on the market as it is super easy to take, you just shake well and open a small glass bottle and take a few sips every day to promote younger looking skin and support healthy looking nails and hair.

https://www.gold-collagen.com/uk/pure-gold-collagen?gclid=CjwKCAiAluLvBRASEiwAAbX3GXZiOTiQivNm5YjzP2sz15DmvZJN0hnglv6--1szLc6eIZGHAuTwQhoCmqwQAvD_BwE




Available at Boots, Holland & Barrett, Amazon and more:
https://www.boots.com/pure-gold-collagen-10-day-programme-food-supplement-10-x-50ml-10134382

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/minerva-pure-gold-collagen-60007021

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GOLD-COLLAGEN-Pure-Mini-Program/dp/B01N34LCF7/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=57182130950&gclid=CjwKCAiAluLvBRASEiwAAbX3GSJMtpi5ItPhSifgYuz2sbthG2psDh8g_XUwvvga4m3xcu5wrDYkPBoC5pMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=259125110570&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006765&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=8214572734278155808&hvtargid=kwd-307787693895&hydadcr=11228_1785078&keywords=gold+pure+collagen&qid=1576598924&sr=8-6

Friday Fave!: MAC 'DOWN TO AN ART' Matte Lipstick

I am really into my coral peachy lip colours at the moment!

I love this Matte MAC lipstick in shade 'Down to an Art'.  It feels really comfortable to wear and stays on very well.  It is a nude peach shade that will suit a lot of skin tones from dark to pale so a great one for a Makeup Artist's kit.

You know it is a good shade when I brought it for my professional kit but it has ended up in my handbag! I just can't part from it... I will have to buy another one!

Note these photos make it appear darker than it actually is, it is a nude peach.





https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/310/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/matte-lipstick#!/shade/Down_to_an_Art

Friday Fave!: Tom Ford 'Bare Peach' Lip Colour

MAC 'Shanghai Spice' Lipstick has long been an absolute firm favourite shade in my Professional Makeup kit.  It suited so many of my clients as it was a beautifully unusal muted soft peach tone. I found it great on blondes and redheads and a perfect daytime/bridal colour for those that didn't really like pink shades.   I was pretty miffed when they discontinued it recently especially as they have no other lipstick that is very close.  MAC 'Peach blossom' is probably the closest but it is still not right.
So I set about scouring the makeup counters and I found a pretty much identical shade at Tom Ford in fact I prefer it as the texture is much creamier and more comfortable to wear.  At £40.00 it is certainly a pricy lipstick but a nice treat for all those 'Shanghai Spice' mourners out there as I am sure I am not alone!

The picture below shows Tom Ford 'Bare Peach' next to MAC 'Shanghai Spice'.



https://www.johnlewis.com/tom-ford-lip-colour/bare-peach/p1369830