Friday Fave! NARS Crème De La Bronze

I am loving cream bronzers lately, the application of a cream bronzer is just dreamy! I have been using the Charlotte Tilbury one since it launched but I wanted to try the Nars one to compare! Basically I love them both and would happily use or recommend either! I do like the compact size of the Nars one though somehow it works better for me in my make-up bag but that is literally the only reason I would favour it over the Charlotte Tilbury one.

This crème bronzer comes in five shades I opted for '02 Original Laguna Bronzer' (light to medium bronze with neutral undertones) which is perfect for my skin tone and I would also be able to use this on most people in my professional kit as well.

This crème bronzer glides on smoothly, its buildable, blends seamlessly, looks natural and is long lasting what more could you want?

It can be applied with fingers, sponges or brushes choose your favourite technique! I personally like to use an angled foundation/blending style brush to buff the product gently into the skin.  I also build the product in layers to achieve the desired colour so as not to add too much in one go.

Definitely a firm favourite and one for the Christmas list ladies!

RRP. £32.50 19 g

https://www.narscosmetics.co.uk

 

Friday Fave! NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer

I love this bronzing fluid by NARS in the iconic NARS Laguna bronzer shade.

Shh... don't tell anyone but I am not a massive fan of the feel of foundation and haven't actually worn it myself in many years!  Instead, I opt for a bronzing gel or fluid with concealer on top, this way I achieve the golden glowing skin that I absolutely love without wearing heavy makeup.

The Laguna Liquid Bronzer achieves a simply divine sheer texture that blends into the skin effortlessly.  I like to apply it with my fingertips and blend well but you can equally use a sponge, beauty blender or brush of your choice.

You can also mix it with your regular moisturiser to sheer it down a little, this would be great if you are very pale skinned or try mixing it with your favourite foundation for a beautiful golden glow that suits your skin tone.

A little goes a long way, you will only need to use a few pumps maximum so a bottle will last you very well. I have also been know to apply it to the backs of my hands, arms and feet if I need a quick emergency fix of colour! Therefore it is also a great one for the Professional Makeup Artist's Kit!

This literally makes me feel like I have spent a gorgeous day in the Mediterranean sun but in England... in January... and without the sun damage!! : )




RRP. £27.00
https://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/en/laguna-liquid-bronzer/0607845051152.html?cgid=bronzer

Makeup artist - My Kit favourites!

Here's a few of my favourite makeup picks from my professional kit.



YSL Touche Eclat (a kit staple)



Kiko 3D Instant lip plumping gloss



Bobbi Brown lip pencil in Ballet Pink (a great shade that suits so many)



MAC eyeshadows in Bark, Carbon, Arena, Era, Cork, Woodwinked and Omega (staple long wearing shades)




Daniel Sandler Eyeshadows in Rosy Tan (a pretty and flattering colour)



MAC lipsticks in Angel and Brave (great wearable colours that I use a lot on Brides in particular)




Nars Blusher in Orgasm (a great colour that suits so many)



Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow compact (kit staple)




Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream (THE best non sticky lipgloss and is a great multi-use product)



MAC Blot powder (excellent at blotting shine all day without caking)

I would love to know what your favourite makeup products are?

My New Favourite Beauty Buys!

A few of my recent purchases...

Jo Malone Candle Lime, Basil & Mandarin

Jo Malone Cologne Lime, basil & Mandarin

I love this fresh, light scent that lasts on me really well and makes my home smell beautiful.

http://www.jomalone.co.uk

Nars Audacious Mascara
http://www.narscosmetics.co.uk

A great shade of intense black mascara with a big brush to make the most of the smallest and fairest lashes aka my own!

MAC PREP + PRIME 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk

This is a must for making eye makeup last the duration, if you wear eyeshadow this is the ideal base to apply first.

Lancome Sourcils Définis Ultra Precision Eyebrow Pencil
http://www.lancome.co.uk
I like the Lancome brow pencils as the pencil come with a short firm plastic brush at one end to ensure you do not apply too much colour.  The pencil itself is not too hard so it is easy to apply the right amount of product. Also available in a good variety of shades.

Tom Ford Lipstick in 01 Spanish Pink
http://www.tomford.com
This lipstick not only slides on beautifully it also has the most beautiful packaging and is quite simply the best lipstick I have ever used!

All makeup enquiries via http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Beauty Advent: December 14th!

Festive Make-up look December 14th

Silver grey smokey eyes with loose silver glitter pressed on top.

Eyeshadows MAC Carbon, scene and print.

Lipstick 'Bitch perfect' by Charlotte Tilbury

Nars blush shade 'Orgasm'

March Beauty Favourites.........

My current best beauty buys........

Nars orgasm blusher ..........perfect for a subtle spring flush..............

Barbara Daily Facelift.......step into the warmer weather with glowing skin........

Bobbi Brown concealer.....conceal like a pro!........

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eyes Mascara....Kohl black mascara for supremely dramatic lashes.........

St Tropez Anti-Aging Gradual facial tan...... begone the greyness of winter choose golden goddess....

Kiko Eyeshadows.... .a great array of affordable colours and textures, go crazy!..........

Bold Metals Real Techniques Brushes....Bold and beautiful......"My March must have".......

No.7 Gel-shine nail colours.....brighten up your nails with shiny longwear colour....

Charlotte Tilbury Lip pencils......simply beautiful colours to create a perfect pout.......

Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks.....for the packaging alone treat yourself................

Happy Beauty shopping!

Beauty Advent 'Make-up is Art': December 22nd

Inside my summer make-up bag!

What to know what is inside the make-up bag of a Professional Make-up artist?

Here is my personal summer make-up bag staples.

Laura Mercier Bronzing gel for face
Smashbox camera ready concealer stick shade 04
YSL Touche eclat
Kiko bronzing powder shade 100
Kiko Rock Attraction shade 05 Sound Coral brightening blusher
Kiko eye base primer
Charlotte Tilbury eye pencil colour chameleon shade Amber haze
Nars Eyeshadow duo shade Isolde
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
Barry M Lash Vegas black mascara

I'd love to know what your summer make-up essentials are, get in touch and let me know!

Niki

X

My top five make-up products to create summer bronzed eyes.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Shade Bronze

Nars Duo Eyeshadow Shade Isolde

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow pencil Shade Amber Haze

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner Shade Black

MAC Zoom Waterfast Lash mascara 

A recent Luton Hoo wedding

At the beginning of August I did  bridal make up for Huda, her mother and three bridesmaids at the stunning Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire (www.lutonhoo.co.uk).

Suzanne and Andre from Belle Momenti (www.bellemomenti.com) did the wonderful wedding photography documenting Huda's special day.

I kept Huda's make up very natural. Glowing skin was achieved using Chanel Vitalumiere foundation and complimented with a touch of Nars cream blush in 'Orgasm'.  Natural brown toned eye shadows all from MAC were used to define the eyes and a soft pink from MAC in shade 'Bare again' was applied to the lips. The addition of some individual lashes from Ardell completed this elegant bridal look.

"I am so very pleased that I asked Niki to do my make- up for my wedding. 
I had seen Niki's work on a bridal photo shoot and was really impressed with her talent; so I just had to book a trial with her! Niki's friendly manner during the trial made it very easy to talk to her about what I wanted (and what I didn't want!). She offered me expert advice and gave me the exact look I was aiming for on my big day. 
On the day of the wedding, she provided a great atmosphere of calm, which immediately settled my nerves. Niki worked quickly and with excellent skill, making us (bridesmaids, mother and myself) look (and feel) really fabulous! The make- up lasted the entire day, too. 
Niki is an amazing, talented artist and I will definitely be recommending her to any future brides. 
Thanks again, Niki."  Huda Al Haddad.

For further information on bridal make up please see www.nikimakeup.co.uk and for photography enquiries please see www.bellemomenti.com.