Friday Fave!: MAC 'DOWN TO AN ART' Matte Lipstick

I am really into my coral peachy lip colours at the moment!

I love this Matte MAC lipstick in shade 'Down to an Art'.  It feels really comfortable to wear and stays on very well.  It is a nude peach shade that will suit a lot of skin tones from dark to pale so a great one for a Makeup Artist's kit.

You know it is a good shade when I brought it for my professional kit but it has ended up in my handbag! I just can't part from it... I will have to buy another one!

Note these photos make it appear darker than it actually is, it is a nude peach.





https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/310/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/matte-lipstick#!/shade/Down_to_an_Art

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

Friday Fave!: Real Techniques Premium Sponge case.

Little things please they say and my goodness they do! I love my Real Techniques sponge case to carry my makeup sponges.  I know they are kept clean, safe and organised within my professional  makeup kit.
The case itself is washable as made from silicone and travels well inside any makeup bag. There are also holes within the case to let air circulate, although you should dry sponges thoroughly after washing them before popping them back inside.

There is no better storage for a makeup sponge!

Real Techniques Sponge Case https://www.boots.com/real-techniques-sponge-case-10267902

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

Neon Lips https://www.next.co.uk/G838026s8?dp=a&gclid=Cj0KCQiA89zvBRDoARIsAOIePbDXkGu66k3p2xNUq7wG7y1YOfovYnExTaCIkCV3I82WjQMmnOGbjvEaAguwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#535516

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

August Update!

I just had a realisation that I have all these photos on my phone of products that I love using but I never get time to write a 'Friday Fave' blog post about so I decided I will just post the photos on Friday's so at least they are shared with you guys! Look out for tomorrows post on social media!

August has gone by in whizz, I have had a really great summer full of weddings, shoots as well as some down time to spend chilling in the sunshine!

Behind the scenes on shoots in London and Stamford...





I was lucky enough to have two fabulous Brides in Sunny Spain this month, I did hair and makeup styling for both separate bridal parties.

This was such a lovely cool space to work in for bridal preparations.
https://www.cortijo-rosablanca.com

Textured soft boho styles were paired with natural makeup for the bride and her beautiful bridesmaids.











I really loved creating this elegant chignon style for a glamorous Mother of the Bride in Benahavis

https://villa-lampara-en-la-colina.business.site







Beautiful glowing makeup and soft part-up hairstyling for this Destination Bride and her pretty bridesmaids who all had soft textured bun styles.















Just a few of my Absolutely Stunning UK Brides this August!











Some Special Occasion hair and makeup's



















Perks of working in Spain is there is down time relaxing in the sunshine...my happy place : )





This sunset I captured on my i-phone on the Brocket road in Hertfordshire.  This had to be shared it was the best I have seen in 12 years of living here, it was even more spectacular in real time!



In love with our new print this makes me Happy every time I look at it : )



Next up a crazy September ahead wedding season continues plus two holidays and a Spanish bride! Oh and I turn the big 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eeekkk how did that happen!!! I am officially old but feeling young at heart, healthy and happy so I plan to enjoy lots of celebrating! X