SEPTEMBER UPDATE!

September is my birthday month so I definitely milked it with a nice few meals out and with family and friends and few days away over my birthday in sunny Malaga then I came home to Autumn which incidentally I hate, roll on summer 2025!! 

I enjoyed my birthday dinner at https://www.blossommalaga.com it was simply outstanding, if you get the chance do go!

We popped to https://vinsantobar.com I had my favourite lychee martini and again the food is always fab' here.

We also visited https://hazels-stalbans.co.uk  The food here is so good! A must do if you are local! The ham hock croquets were better than any I had in Spain.

Wedding season has ended for this year with September being a really busy month.  I have worked at some beautiful venues and had such fun on wedding mornings with my beautiful brides it has been a really great wedding season post the covid craziness of the past few years!  I have been to some f my favourites South farm, Tewinbury bury farm and Essendon Country club on multiple visits this month too!

Hair & Makeup for two wedding parties at https://www.essendoncc.co.uk where I am a recommended supplier.

Make up at https://tewinbury.co.uk

Hair & Makeup for a guest at a Tewinbury farm wedding.

I am a recommended supplier at the fabulous https://south-farm.co.uk and loved creating this simple elegant hair and make up for Charlotte.

I also just got a toy poodle puppy he is a bundle of cuteness and joy.  If you are interested in following his adventures you can follow his instagram @rufustheredtoypoodle

I have also been doing a bit of sketching here and there when I can, inspired by shells and ocean life!

I am also holding some fun, informal makeup workshops in October and November in my garden studio in Harpenden. All details are on my website www.nikimakeup.co.uk and Instagram @nikimakeup. Email to reserve a space!

All Hair & Makeup enquires via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

FRIDAY FAVE! NATASHA DENONA I NEED A NUDE PALETTE

I brought this palette on holiday and I absolutely love the gorgeous rose and nude shades that are all really wearable as well as the texture and payoff off the colours being fabulous!  

These shadows blend beautifully and stay on really well too.  The palette has a nice mix of matte and shimmery shades.  The more glittery shades have a really nice payoff for highlighting the centre of the lids it is almost a wet look shimmer finish...just gorgeous! 

The palette contains the perfect colours for day to evening eye makeup. 

Shades Include:

Stone 493CM - Matte Light Medium Warm Taupe

Whisper 494M - Metallic Light Nude Pink

Ella 495SF - Sparkling Foiled Warm Fawn

Vague 496CM - Matte Medium Warm Dusty Rose

Travertine 497M - Metallic Soft Amber

Delilah 498SW - Sparkling Wet Effect Silver Brown

Silhouette 499CM - Matte Coffee Bean Brown

Muse 500SF - Sparkling Foiled Champagne

Fair 501CM - Matte Light Misty Rose

Filigree 502SF - Sparkling Foiled Medium Neutral Brown

Wit 503CM - Matte Light Warm Rose

Sheen 504GW - Glossy Wet Effect Warm Champagne

Tender 505CM - Matte Medium Taupe

Mesh 506CM - Matte Light Dusty Rose

Mia 507SW - Sparkling Wet Effect Icy Pink

A definite Friday fave!

RRP £64.00

What to do before a Bridal Hair & Make-up trial!

Collate any images of hair and makeup styles you like and may be considering ahead of your trial, also any dress images and general colour scheme and styling ideas are great to show and discuss with your hair and makeup artist.

Do give your hair and makeup artist as much information and detail about your day as possible so they can offer professional advice on timings and general bridal preparations on the wedding day.

Have clean dry hair ahead of your appointment and no use of straightening irons if you want those curls or waves to hold.

Wear a white or light coloured top to best reflect the bridal makeup.  Obviously if you are wearing a coloured wedding dress wear a similar shade.

Bring along any hair accessories or a veil to your trial if you have them.

If you have a favourite lip colour you would ideally like to wear, take it to the trial to test with the bridal makeup look.

If you are having separate hair and makeup artists try, if possible, to arrange trials on the same day so that you can see the hair and makeup look together.

Have any questions or concerns prepared ahead of your appointment to discuss.

Be open minded and listen to the professional advice offered as it may be different to what you think.

The most important thing is to be honest, if there is something you do not like you must say, after all the purpose of the trial is to get the desired look for the wedding day.

Have a trial earlier in the day if possible so you can see how well it lasts and always give feedback to your hair and makeup artist if something has not lasted well so that they can make the necessary adjustments on the wedding day.

Image www.rafeabrook.co.uk

Tuesday Tip! Exfoliate your way to gorgeous lips!

Exfoliating is important even more so if you have dry, flaky chapped lips.



Keep your lips conditioned by exfoliating the lips no more than once a week.

Exfoliating regularly will remove dry dead skin to achieve smooth soft lips.

You should prep' the lips in this way before you add colour.  Lip colour on chapped lips does not look good!

My favourite way to exfoliate lips is to apply some Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream or you can use vaseline. Then rub gently with a cotton bud all over the lips to lift off the dry skin.

You can also use a soft toothbrush gently in circular motions.

Alternatively use a lip exfoliator or sugar scrub and gently rub off with a warm flannel.

Make your own scrub easily by using one teaspoon of honey mixed with two teaspoons of sugar.

Now you know how and why you need to exfoliate the lips give it a try!

Makeup Lessons, Occasion & Bridal Enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

FRIDAY FAVE! LA ROCHE-POSAY TOLERIANE SOFTENING FOAMING GEL

I love a gel facial wash and this one from LA ROCHE-POSAY is my new favourite!
I have been using it for around six months now, I love the feel of it on my skin it actually feels soft as you apply it to your skin.
I take a large pea sized amount into the palm of my hand lather it up with warm water and apply to my face in gentle circular movements rinsing off well.  It removes all traces of makeup leaving skin feeling refreshed and gently cleansed.
This is great for anyone who has sensitive skin as it is hypoallergenic, suitable for normal/combination intolerant and sensitive skin and is ph 5.5.




Interesting facts!

*Toleriane is the first skincare range to be given the Seal of Approval by Allegy UK

*9/10 Dermatologists would recommend La Roche-Posay for sensitive skin


RRP £12.50 150ml

www.laroche-posay.co.uk
www.boots.com

FRIDAY FAVE! CHANEL Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour

CHANEL Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour is my all time favourite brand of nail polish not only does it last incredibly well with high shine the packaging, colours and shade names please me immensely too!  Just knowing that you are wearing Chanel on your nails makes you feel good!

There is a great range of vibrant colours.  My favourite shades are 'Ballerina' for a natural look, 'Rouge Noir' a classic colour that needs no futher explanation and my favourite go to shade 'Arancio vibrante'! The range also includes a base coat, top coat, a gel top coat plus a nail polish remover at £15.00.







RRP. £22.00 13ml www.chanel.com

May Update! Warning contains a lot of Dog photos!

A little late with my May Update as the days all merge together lately.

I have been doing a lot of painting and drawing during May to keep myself motivated and busy. Also taking lots of lovely dog walks in the marvellous spring sunshine we have been so lucky to enjoy.

I have also been looking at my current hygiene practices in preparation for when I return to work which have always been high priority for me but now will have to be increased even more where possible. I have taken Barbicide Hygiene training and Barbicide Covid-19 hygiene training, purchased lots of disposables, hand sanitiser, cleaner and disinfectant to use regularly in-between clients.  All clients will be made aware of how makeup and/or hair bookings will be taking place going forward via both direct email and social media.  I am planning a separate blog post on this as well.

I have become a founding member of The Association of British Wedding Businesses.  It is positive that the bridal industry now has an overall body and more importantly a voice.

 





I had lots of fun picking wild flowers which inspired me to do some hairstyling on my dolly head and accessorise the styles with flowers.











My little munchkins!  I warned you there would be dog photos! They are loving having us at home all the time... it is going to be shock for them when we have to go back to work.







Someone had a lockdown birthday! He is actually smiling here!



Desperately in need of a long overdue haircut...



Waiting in the car and got a little bored so I made us into a cartoon!



Before & after Haircuts!





My lovely Mum sent us a lockdown cake! It was yummy! https://www.fionacairns.com



Art stuff keeping me sane on Instagram @nikicreates























All Makeup enquiries to nikimakeup@aol.com
www.nikimakeup.co.uk