Beauty Advent: December 6th!

Festive Make-up look December 6th

Pink and purple smokey eyes with purple glitter pressed on top.  I used MAC Parfait Amour and Sweetie.

Compliment this look with soft pink cheeks and lips.  I used MAC Angel lip colour and Swoon blusher.

A wedding at The Grove, Hertfordshire

Pauline recently had an intimate wedding at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire.

Her photographer Lucy J Toms at http://www.lucyj.net/contact.html captured the day beautifully.

I did bridal make-up for Pauline, her daughter and daughter- in-Law.

Here is what Pauline had to say...

"As an older bride (age 60), I was overjoyed by the make-up that Niki provided on my wedding day. It is no exaggeration to say that I felt transformed. Niki gave me a trial session that enabled me to explain how I thought I wanted my make-up to look and then she used her specialist knowledge, skills and experience to translate my ideas into something very very special. My make-up was perfect and lasted the whole day and evening. More than this, Niki also provided the make-up for my grown up daughter and daughter-in-law and they were equally delighted. Niki’s ability to work with a range of age groups and skin types/colourings and to put us all at our ease was the perfect start to a perfect day. Niki’s professional and easy-going approach relaxed us all and her prices did not break the bank! I would highly recommend Niki for any ‘special day’ event."

All enquries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Beauty Advent 'Make-up is Art': December 23rd

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

New Make-up kit additions!

This weekend I went Christmas shopping but as you can see ended up make-up kit shopping instead!
I absolutely love KIKO cosmetics and their flagship store at Oxford Circus is absolute make-up heaven, if you still haven't seen or tried KIKO cosmetics do check it out. The quality and pay-off of products is excellent, the packaging is sleek and simple and the prices are just fabulous! I got a few different foundations to try one is hydrating and for all skin types the other is a matte finish and longwear and in the words of Make-up supreme Val Garland "MattTastic".
I also got a clear lipgloss that volumizes and plumps lips, the application wand is perfect to use I am very impressed with this product and nearly want to keep it for myself! I thought I would try the black liquid eyeliner as my one is getting low and again this product is great,longwear and waterproof you will need to use a good eye make-up remover to get it off.  Lastly I have tried some of the cleansing wipes that gently exfoliate skin on side then cleanse to remove on the other.
I also popped to MAC to stock up on one of my all time favourite foundations Face & Body and popular lipgloss shades.

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 

Micellar Cleansing

French ladies have been cleansing with micellar waters for many years now but only in recent years have they gained popularity in the UK.  This is largely due to the favorite cult beauty product 'Bioderma Crealine H20 Micellaire' used by make-up artists, celebrities and models backstage at shows for its gentle and super swift removal of even the most stubborn make-up.  Bioderma however is still not that easy to track down mostly you have to trawl the internet to find the best price or alternatively stock up at a much better price if you happen to be visiting France. The good news is there is now an array of micellar waters available in the UK from chemists including Boots and Superdrug.

Just so you know Micellar waters are non-rinse cleansers that you sweep over the face with cotton pads to remove make-up gently and super efficiently. They are soap free, mostly good for sensitive skin types and remove even the heaviest of eye make-up.  I highly recommend these over rubbing with facial wipes (you know who you are!)

Below are some of the best micellar waters on the market that I have found!

The original Cult beauty best buy. £14.50 500ml http://www.escentual.com/

Loreal is one of my personal faves! £4.99 200ml

Available at Boots the Chemist.

Superdrug's version won't break the bank! £2.47 150ml

Another firm favorite of mine, and a great one for super sensitive skin.

£11.50 200ml.  Available at Boots The Chemist.

            £14.50 200ml
            Available at larger Marks & Spencer stores.

                      A special treat maybe! £24.00 200ml
                      Available at John Lewis.

                           £10.50 200ml
                           Available at Boots the Chemist

                Great for Lancome lovers! £23.00 200ml
                All good department stores.

                   £4.49 200ml
                   Available at Boots the chemist

Great value £4.99 400ml

Avaialable at Boots The Chemist

Happy Shopping X

Make-up advent!

Throughout December 25 days of interesting make-up facts!

Check out my blog daily for my Make-up advent!

1)

The first make-up may have been protective, possibly as a form of camouflage.