Friday Fave! Mac Face & Body Foundation

This has been my go to foundation of choice this summer for most of my clients as it is a sheer and natural coverage, long wearing so need for primer, and it is super comfortable to wear in the hot weather.

It is always a favourite in many a Makeup artist's kit, certainly an oldie but definitely a goodie!!!

It is a buildable light to medium coverage, just perfect if you like a natural look and do not like the feel of foundation.  It achieves a beautiful skin finish and as the name mentions it is great to wear on the body as well, excellent for covering thread veins and pale uneven skin tone anywhere on the body.

Possibly my favourite foundation ever if not its definitely right up there!

£24.50 50ml
£30.00 120ml
Available in 13 shades.
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13847/32553/products/makeup/face/foundation/mac-studio-face-and-body-foundation-50-ml#/shade/N1

Friday Fave! Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2

Legendary Lashes Volume 2 is a great mascara in my opinion, although I think I was one of the minority that loved the original it was the perfect mascara for me and my short fair eyelashes!

It is a new staple in my makeup bag which is fast becoming a bag of Charlotte Tilbury!!  I apply a good two or three coats and it really builds the thickness and length of my lashes.  I also love the fact it is an intense jet black mascara.  The brush is a good size, it is quite big to build the lashes but not too big and works perfectly on my bottom lashes as well.

A brand new Long-wear, smudge-proof and humidity resistant formula.

Increases Lash volume and thickness after just one application.

Paraben and Fragrance free.

It is a definite thumbs up from me!

£25.00 www.charlottetilbury.com

March Update!

I am the recommended Makeup Artist at Luton Hoo Hotel and was pleased to exhibit at the wedding show at the beginning of March, the next one is in October if you missed it I look forward to meeting new brides to be!



Another busy month for bridal trials, I specialise in natural enhancing makeup for your big day.
www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Just some of the many faces I have had the pleasure of making up!





Hair and makeup trial for Katherine

A lovely Bridesmaid makeup trial too!




Behind the scenes on a photoshoot, I have been lucky to have a few close to home this month and also one in the pretty cotswold village of Chipping Campden so I made time for a quick tea room pitstop as you do!

This weeks 'Friday Fave" is Charlotte Tilbury's new Hollywood FLAWLESS FILTER.

This product achieves a superstar youthful glow, it can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation for heavier coverage or applied on top of foundation for a highlight.

It has the versatility of a primer, the gorgeous glow of a highlighter, and perfects skin like a digital filter. It helps smooth the skins appearance minimising fine lines and open pores, definitely achieving red-carpet worthy skin.

I like to wear it on its own for glowing coverage or sometimes I pat it onto the high points of the face i.e cheekbones and cupids bow for a beautiful highlight.  It has a definite thumbs up from me!

There are seven shades ranging from '1' to '7', I have been wearing shade '3', described as a neutral peach for light to medium skin.

30ml RRP £30.00

http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/products/makeup/face/complexion-booster.html

My Top Five Make-up Brush Cleansers!

Yes Brush Cleansers ladies! They do exist and you should be using them ...

It has come to my attention that there are many of you (you know who you are!) who do not clean your makeup brushes often enough or indeed have never cleaned them!

You invest in often expensive brushes and if you look after them they will last you a very long time.

The best way to keep them clean is to use a mild shampoo and warm water.  For stubborn products like lipstick and some foundations use good old fairy liquid to bring brushes up squeaky clean.

If you do not have time to use a shampoo/cleanser that you wash off with water opt for a liquid or spray option that will give immediate results with no fuss and quicker drying time.

Here are my top five brush cleansing products to pamper your all important brushes with!

1. MAC £12.00
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13804/307/products/brushes-tools/brushes/eye-brushes/brush-cleanser




2. Laura Mercier £14.50
http://www.feelunique.com/p/Laura-Mercier-Brush-Cleanser-250ml



3. Bobbi Brown £12.00
https://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/product/13995/7791/brushes-tools/conditioning-brush-cleanser




4. Dior Backstage Brush Cleanser £16.00
https://www.johnlewis.com/dior-brush-cleanser-150-ml/p523062


5. Estée lauder £13.00
https://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/12883/2753/product-catalog/makeup/accessories/brushes/makeup-brush-cleanser




Makeup lessons available via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

My Desert Island Beauty must haves!

My Desert Island products...

My trusty tube of St Tropez Gradual Tan in shade Medium/Dark.  I have used this product ever since it launched and also recommend it to my clients. If you have pale skin the Light/Medium shade will be a better option for you.  l just love the colour it gives my skin and people often comment asking if I have been away! It never streaks and is easy to apply.  I always have at least two or three tubes in my bathroom cabinet, it is also the first thing I pack when I am travelling, without it my skin just looses that natural golden glow.

Lucas Papaw Ointment is a staple when I travel it comes in so handy for cuts, grazes, burns, bites, dry skin, makes a great lip balm, achieves a glossy eye or dewy cheekbone. Moisturises eyelashes and hydrates cuticles and also great for taming flyaway hairs. A MUST!

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a palette shade 'Beauty Glow' is my summer makeup favourite. These are perfect colours for me to create a bronzed look.  Also it is so convenient that eye colours, bronzer, blusher and highlighter are all in one compact, genius!

Mascara is an absolute must have.  I am currently using DIORSHOW but I do try different ones all the time!

Got to have my trademark bright coral nails, it just wouldn't be summer without them!

I love OPI shade Living on the Bula-vard.

 

http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

@nikimakeup

May Update!

Behind the scenes on a Bridal shoot on location in St Albans working with www.hairbyjaydean.com and www.wrappweddings.com








Behind the scenes on some other shoots...





Wedding, Prom and party makeup's!





Mother of the Bride!



Occassion Makeup











Luton Hoo Hotel Event Make-up - Action station!



Wedding Fayre @brickendon Golf Club
www.bggc.org.uk



All Bridal/prom/occasion makeup enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk
All shoot/event enquiries via www. nikimakeup.com

October Update!

Wow! I cannot believe it is October already, what a busy year!  October has been a little quieter for me so I have had time to winter detox my makeup kit and replenish with some lovely new makeup and tools.









As recommended Makeup artist at The Luton Hoo Hotel I was as the October Wedding Showcase evening meeting with some lovely 2017/2018 Brides. Dates for next year are filling up fast at present particularly May and September so do book early to avoid disappointment.
www.lutonhoo.co.uk







A couple of recent brides I had the pleasure of doing wedding makeup for.





I also had an overnight stay at The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield which was a fun experience!
www.thecrazybeargroup.co.uk





Room with a view!



Cocktail perfection.



The toilets were impressive!





Have a spooky halloween and a fun-filled fireworks night, see you again for my November update!

Niki X

All enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk