FRIDAY FAVE! Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara

As a long time lover of Charlotte Tilbury 'Legendary Lashes Volume 2' mascara I was eager to try out the new much hyped 'Pillow Talk Push up Lashes!' mascara.

Firstly it looks nice! This mascara is beautifully packaged in rose gold and pale pink, a makeup lovers dream.  

I quickly noticed it is "super" jet black and I mean "super" to without doubt instantly define and add volume to lashes.

Smudge proof, humidity proof and no lash curler is apparently needed... although I have still been using my curlers and have not noticed a significant difference...

This mascara will definitely achieve volume, length and stretch lashes plus has a 24 hour vertical lift effect!

Your eyes will instantly appear bigger, brighter and more awake, now who doesn't want that?

How to apply it and yes you do need instructions!

Firstly hold the mascara wand horizontally and use the flat side of the wand to push up the lashes from the lash root.

Now twist the wand to the brush side and comb through the lashes form the root to the tip, wiggle the bristles from side to side to help separate, define and lift.

Now use the wand vertically to precision paint lashes at the inner and outer corners.

Mascara lesson over!

Now lets get to the technical bit because there definitely is one....an innovative injection moulded mascara paddle brush complete with load, comb and lift technology will lift lashes like air, vertically painting each individual lash (yes, even those tiny awkward ones!). The diamond shaped bristles follow the lash architecture for a magnifying and amplifying effect.  A push-up lash lifting polymer (derived from the Larch tree) helps create a push up vertical lift and hold of the lashes.  Natural waxes like carnauba add body and texture to the formula for weightless volume and a false-lash finish.  Plus it contains KERESTORE 2.0 (keratin) which conditions lashes to create a thicker look and feel.

This mascara is seriously smart!...maybe a bit too smart even for me.

Here is my verdict.  Although I love it and the effect it achieves I have to think about what I am doing a bit too much when applying it.  Believe me when I say you could easily get in a mess with this mascara, this takes expert skill and time to apply you simply cannot pop this one on in a hurry.  A bit too much of a "faff" for many but worth it if you want the best lashes you have ever seen perhaps.  Certainly not for everyone but for the lash obsessed looking for the holy grail mascara this might just be it.  I however will be sticking with my Legendary Lashes volume 2 mascara which I am more than happy with and requires less thinking on my part!

Definitely worth a try but it will be like marmite you will love or hate it!

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September Update!

September is my Birthday month so we spent five nights in beautiful Norfolk, it was lovely to get away!

#staycation #anotheryearyoung 

My pooches love the beach and Norfolk is their favourite place to holiday!  We visited stunning Houghton Hall https://www.houghtonhall.com definitely worth visiting if you are nearby. We were lucky enough to see the Anish Kapoor exhibition (on until November 1st) whilst we were there which was amazing.

Beautiful Norfolk Countryside

They are such nosey dogs!

Obligatory Doggie portraits at the beach.

Hours of fun!

Houghton Hall Anish Kapoor exhibition

Afternoon tea at https://www.visitpetals.co.uk Our favourite tearoom we always visit on a Norfolk trip, dog friendly too!

Straight back into work which is honestly brilliant I am so grateful that I have actually had quite a bit of work throughout August and September.  As a freelancer it is very difficult at the moment especially with the wedding wedding and events industries really struggling so I am immensely happy to have some work at least as I love my job.  I have had a mix of weddings, shoots, trials ahead of weddings (fingers crossed) and makeup lessons as well as having the time to be involved in some fabulous bridal styled shoots working with other talented wedding industry suppliers.  This was actually on my goal list of things I wanted to achieve this year as normally I am too busy with general work to have any time for the creative part but COVID has been positive in the fact it has given me more time!

Behind the scenes on a branding shoot with the super talented and lovely Alison, if you need branding pics she is your girl! https://www.ajburrowsphotography.co.uk

Back at Luton Hoo https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk/golf-course-hertfordshire where I am lucky enough to be the recommended Makeup artist, it was so good to be back and working with the totally gorgeous bride Reiss! 

Also back at St Michaels Manor https://stmichaelsmanor.com another local venue where I am lucky to recommended.

 Loved creating this beautiful updo for bride Sam.

Just how excited was Sammi to be getting married?!

Behind the scenes on a recent styled shoot. Photo https://fjsweddingphotography.com

This was me talking a quick snap while I was waiting around on a shoot, I wasn't even going to post it but it turned out to be my most liked post ever on Instagram so I am glad I did! How funny...

All Bridal enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk and shoot enquiries via  www.nikimakeup.com

April Update!

I have actually been enjoying lockdown having time to just slow down has been so lovely!  Aside from the small fact of not earning any money being freelance I am enjoying the time to be more mindful.
I have realised just how busy I am and how much I rush around. From now on I aim to actually just do less, venture out less to have more time! I have read two book's in a week and am now on a third, something I never have time do except on holiday usually.
I am also using the slower pace to catch up on the thing's that I love to do that usually take a back seat, like my passion for art.  I have started with some therapeutic pebble painting which certainly helped me to entertain myself over the long easter weekend.
I have begun meditating most days, enjoyed cycling with my husband which has made me feel like a kid again as I haven't cycled in years! I also have a new found love of jazz music!
With the weather being mostly glorious I have taken full advantage of being able to spend time outside in the garden and enjoy beautiful daily countryside dog walks.  The spring flowers have been absolutely stunning his year.

Mum surprised us with a lovely arrival of flowers for Easter.
https://www.lambertsflowercompany.co.uk



I actually had two Hotel Chocolate easter egg's as well but I gobbled these too quickly for photos!

Work wise, 2021 is looking very busy now as a lot of this year's brides have re-scheduled their dates to next year plus I have also been taking new booking's. I am keeping myself very busy blogging, painting, training, and doing accounts and website updates.

Have you started anything new during Lockdown? I would love to know!

Niki x

All Bridal and Shoot enquiries via nikimakeup@aol.com

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Tuesday Tip: Twenty Lipstick fixes!

Twenty Lipstick Fixes! 



*Choose matte lipsticks or long-wearing formulas for less re-touching.

*Opt for nude shades, similar shades to your own lip colour to make the lips appear fuller.

*Choose a shade or two darker than your lip tone if you want to make your lips appear smaller.

*Use a lip brush for precision when using reds or darker shades.

*Choose a blusher in the same colour family as your chosen lipstick.

*Use two shades of lipstick, apply the lighter shade to the centre of the lips to give the illusion of a fuller pout.

*Apply lip gloss to the centre of the lips and press lips together to avoid the gloss migrating.

*Do apply lip liner to define your lip shape, choose a shade darker or similar to your lip tone.

*Use a lip pencil to fill in the entire lips in short feathery strokes before applying lipstick this is a great base to lock in your lipstick for longer.

*Always sharpen your lip liner prior to use to achieve the best line.

*When wearing red or a bold colour it is good to apply a little concealer with a brush to the outside edge of your lips afterwards to keep the lip line clean and sharp.

*Layer lip colour by applying two or three coats of lipstick, blot with a tissue between each coat for longer lasting colour.

*Bright lipstick shades will draw attention to your teeth so make sure you are happy with that.

*Blot lip colour with a tissue to remove excess colour, you can also dust a little powder on a brush over a veil of tissue held over the lips to set colour in place.  

*Use a finger to keep patting lip colour into the lips this will create a much softer version of the colour.

*Use a highlighter on your cupid's bow to define lips and make lips look fuller.

*Apply a good lip balm prior to lip colour.  Allow long enough for it to sink in the lips and hydrate them, blot before applying lip colour.

*Apply a little concealer or foundation onto the edges of the lips before applying liner and colour, this makes it easier to draw your lip line to its fullest.


*To clean lip brushes and long-wear formulas of lipstick use an oil based eye makeup remover.

*Lastly to avoid the faux par of lipstick on your teeth place your index finger into your mouth, purse your lips around it and pull your finger out. If there is any lipstick on the inside of your lips this will now have transferred onto your fingers.




www.nikimakeup.co.uk


www.nikimakuep.com

Friday Fave! MAC Brush Cleanser

MAC BRUSH CLEANSER

This cleanser will clean and condition your makeup brushes.

It is quick and easy to use and will extend the life of your brushes if used regularly and correctly.

This cleanser leaves brushes smelling fresh and clean fast.

To use simply apply a little cleanser to the brush hairs/fibres or onto a paper towel and then gently sweep the brush backwards and forwards until there is no more makeup residue.

Always leave brushes to dry with the brush head over hanging a surface so that air can circulate the head.







£12.50 235ml.
www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Friday Fave! Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour cream has long been a staple in my professional make-up kit and now more than ever with all the hand washing we are doing it seems the perfect time to make it my "Friday Fave!"

This legendary multi-award winning product created by Miss Arden herself in 1930 is much loved by makeup-up artists and beauty influencers across the globe.

Eight Hour Cream soothes and goes beyond moisturising dry and cracked skin when applied liberally and often.

Superb for soothing dry cuticles, nails, hands, cracked elbows and heels as well as smoothing brows and taming hair. It makes an excellent lip balm especially for dry or chapped lips.  It can be worn alone or over lipstick for hydration and super shine.  You can even add a little to your cheeks to achieve that dewy glow or a little over eyeshadow to create a glossy eye.

It will help to alleviate symptoms resulting from sunburn, windburn, chapping, scrapes, abrasions and peeling.

Dermatologist tested & Clinically shown to protect skin for eight hours.

A great staple to have in your bathroom cabinet!




RRP £28.00 50ml

https://www.elizabetharden.co.uk/eight-hour-cream-skin-protectant-UK10014252000.html?cgid=skincare-skin-reliever

*Winner of over 100 Beauty Awards Worldwide

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

Friday Fave!: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponges

I have recently started using Real techniques Complexion sponges in my Professional Kit and I really like them!  I must admit they are designed to be used with foundation but I still prefer a brush or fingers for that, however I absolutely love them used with powder to set makeup.  The mini miracle sponges sold in a set of four are a revelation as I can use them to get really close in under the eyes and around the nose to set base and blot shine well.  I am totally hooked on this new technique now as I always used a small powder brush or powder puff before.

I can fit all four mini sponges into the Real Techniques sponge case (see previous blog post) and have since brought another case to keep my full size complexion sponge inside!

These sponges are great for blending and building up coverage with foundation and the different sizes available fit the facial contours really well.  Pro Tip: I recommend you try them with your pressed or loose setting powder too!






A firm new favourite in my kit!


https://www.boots.com/real-techniques-mini-miracle-complexion-4s----10228006

https://www.boots.com/real-techniques-miracle-complexion-sponge-10164142

October Update!

October has been a lot calmer after the busy summer season!!

Autumn brings with it wedding show season I have exhibited at https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk and https://stmichaelsmanor.com/marry/ as I am a recommended Makeup Artist at these venues.





Amy had her October wedding at https://www.tewinbury.co.uk where I am also lucky to be recommended.  I styled Amy's Hair & Makeup on her wedding day as well as her bridesmaid's hair who all opted for soft textured bun styles.







Kara came over to the UK from the USA for her traditional English wedding at https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk

I only met her a few days before the wedding day for a makeup trial along with Jaydean who styled her hair https://www.hairbyjaydean.com





On the wedding day we changed from the grey-toned smokey eye shades used at the trial to warmer bronze-gold tones.



Kara's Beautiful Mother



Gorgeous Bridesmaids







Special Occasion Hair & Makeup at https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk





On the last Saturday in October I arrived at stunning https://www.ashridgehouse.org.uk/weddings/ at 7am to do eleven make-ups!! It was a busy morning so I didn't grab many photos but this was just one of the glamorous ladies i had the pleasure of meeting.



Wedding dates for 2020 are now limited.  Check availability and reserve your date now via http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk