FRIDAY FAVE! Dior Backstage Glow Palette 001 Universal glow

Dior Backstage Glow Palette in shade 001 Universal glow.

The Iconic Multi use face palette!

I love this palette mostly because it is so versatile you can use it as a highlighter dusted on the cheekbones, cupids bow and décolleté.  As a glowing blusher, as a bronzer that gives a gorgeous glow and as eye shadows.  I can easily and quickly do an entire eye look with the four colours included. 

Face, eyes and décolleté glowing and gorgeous.

I have one in my makeup bag and one in my pro kit and I wouldn't be without them!

Definitely a firm Friday Fave!

RRP. £47.00

Photo credit @stephaniebelton

Spring 2022 Beauty Trends

Stuck in a rut? Bored using the same makeup and doing the same old...? 

Look no further read on to find out what's new for 2022 Spring beauty and how you can style it to suit you.

Embellished Eyes... adorn with stick on gems, crystals, studs and diamantes.  Use ready made stick-on ones or apply with eyelash glue. As seen at Etro.

https://www.feelunique.com/p/Kryolan-Body-Jewels?curr=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAiAz--OBhBIEiwAG1rIOqcV_OzhveI8Qt_hgWEewsu6HIXE6AFdSXi9w8YTwdKT59wapBGjjxoCQb8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Diffused Lips...  softly stained lips achieved by patting colour mostly onto the centre of the lips.  As seen at Helen Anthony.

A Pop of Glitter...  we all need a touch of sparkle to take us into Spring simply apply to face and body and even hair, as seen at Blumarine.

Stacked Hair Accessories... Glam up your hair for Spring by stacking up those clips, ideally in bold block stand out colours.

Smoke it up for Spring... smokey eyes are a classic, soften for Spring using brown tones as seen at Altuzarra.

Contour Blush... The new flushed contour.  Place blush high on the cheekbones and blend onto the temples and eyes as well. As seen at Anna Sui where blush took centre stage.

My favourite blushers are by Nars https://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/en/orgasm-blush/0607845040132.html?cgid=blush

Neon Eyes...  Brighten up your days with a subtle line or wash of neon colour. Try Urban Decay's Green pencil. https://www.urbandecay.co.uk/en_GB/eyes/eyeliner/wired-24-7-eye-pencil/ud1009.html

 

Glossy Nineties Lips are back!...   Pouts at the ready, grab a nude gloss like Fenty Gloss bomb https://fentybeauty.com/products/gloss-bomb-universal-lip-luminizer-fenty-glow

Luminous skin...  Glossy lips can be accented with glossy eyelids and cheekbones for 'All out Glow'. A must have product for this look https://www.elizabetharden.co.uk/eight-hour-cream-intensive-moisturizing-hand-treatment-1001196N440.html?cgid=skincare-skin-reliever

Minimal Foundation & Concealer.... Yes you read that correctly gone are the days of packing on thick layers of heavy base makeup.  For Spring skin can actually look like skin (music to my ears!)

Tailor at least one of these new spring trends and I challenge you to try something new! Let me know how you get on, I would love to hear. I don't know about you but I am definitely going to try a neon eye liner.

Friday Fave! YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer

I have been testing out this primer for some months now, I like it so much it has remained in my makeup bag rather than going into my kit after initial testing so clearly I need to get another one! 

Firstly I love the bottle with pretty little flecks of expensive looking gold within the transparent serum.  It is super smooth and silky in texture and easily smoothes fine lines and open pores as well as providing a smooth base before foundation. Makeup glides on top of this primer beautifully, blending seamlessly.  I apply a small pea sized amount (one pump) to the back of my hand and smooth over my cheeks, forehead and chin using my fingertips.

A primer to blur any imperfections and boost skin's radiance at the same time as well as keeping makeup in place all day what more do you need? 

RRP £32.00

https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/en_GB/makeup/complexion/primer

FRIDAY FAVE! Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil Ballet Pink

This is such a great nude pale pink that suits so many people! I literally use this all the time in my kit it is one of my go-to lip liners.  If you are looking for a perfect natural pink liner this will likely be it!

It also comes with a sharpener which is an added bonus, I don't know many beauty brands that do this!  The velvety formula smoothly glides on and gives long-lasting definition and these pencils really do stay on well! I often wear it alone applied all over the lip with a little lip balm on top.  Alternatively you can outline lips before or after applying lip colour whichever suits your preference.






.

RRP. £19.00
https://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/product/2343/32757/makeup/lips/lip-liner/lip-pencil#/shade/Ballet_Pink

Tuesday Tip! Double-Duty Beauty!

If you are pulling in the purse strings or just partial to a beauty trick I hope my favourite 'double-duty' beauty tips can help you!



BB cream, this is great to apply to legs to banish any imperfections.

Bronzing powder, my favourite trick is to use bronzing powder as an eyeshadow or to blend through the eye socket to add definition.

Concealer, if you are out of foundation you can always use a small amount of concealer mixed with moisturiser to give you a base.  This can also be used lightly over the lips as a primer before applying colour.

Creme Blush, will easily double up as a great lip colour simply pat lightly onto the lips for a subtle colour.

Eyebrow Pencil, this can double up as an eyeliner. Warm the tip of the pencil in your palm before application to soften, this will stop it dragging the skin as eyebrow pencils will be harder than eyeliner pencils.

Lipbalm, can tame flyaways, smooth brows, hydrate dry skin patches, highlight skin and moisturise cuticles.

Lipstick, apply a dot to each cheek and blend out well with your finger tips for a complimentary flush of colour to your lipstick of choice.

Mascara, paint onto a separate eyeliner brush to apply as eyeliner.

Mini shampoos, use left over travel size shampoos or hotel freebies to wash your makeup brushes.

Toothbrush, use this to exfoliate lips gently, brush gently through lashes to separate and brush through brow colour to take out excess for a natural look.

I would love to know your double duty beauty tricks, comment below!

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

TUESDAY TIP: My Top Ten Summer Beauty Feel Good Tips!

Summer is just around the corner which means it is time to consider your beauty regime a little more closely.  Here are my personal favourite products that serve me well throughout the summer months and my tips on why I use them.

1.  Protect your hair from the suns ray's, especially if your hair is highlighted or colour treated.  Spray a heat protection spray through wet hair and comb evenly through and dry as normal.  I love L'Oreal Elnett Satin Heat Styling spray.

2.  Don't forget to hydrate and add moisture to your hair as the sun can make it extra dry.  Condition your hair with a leave-in conditioner, this can be a nice enjoyable pamper for yourself as well!  Or if you are super busy leave it to do it's thing whilst you are busy getting on with something else. I LOVE OLAPLEX NO.6 Bond Smoother, a tiny bit goes a long way and has such a dramatic effect on the health and appearance of your hair.  When I say "love" this is by no means an exaggeration!

3.  Don't forget to protect your lips, as these can also burn as well as becoming dry, sore and cracked.
I use Palmers Cocoa Butter SPF 15 lip balm daily thought the summer even under lip colour.

4.  If you have moles, birthmarks, scars... anything you want to focus more attention on protecting, it may even be your ears which are often forgotten! Opt for a small stick or tube in a high SPF50 sunblock to apply specifically to these areas.  I like Piz Buin Mountain Sun cream 50+

5.  Wear SPF on your face and body, a minimum SPF 30 and ideally SPF 50 to protect against skin damage and aging.   I have used Nivea Sun Pocket-Size Protect & Moisture sun lotion for years now as it so small and handy to keep with me in my bag, my professional make-up kit and even in the car so I am never caught out!  La Roche-Posay Anthelios is another recent favourite of mine as it is SPF 50 for sensitive skin, it is a lovely light fliud and non greasy.... just lovely to apply on the face.

6.  If you want to warm up your skin tone a little, on pasty pins for example, just add a little liquid bronzing fluid to your favourite moisturiser and apply to the body for an instant sun-kissed appearance.  I love NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer.

7.  Bronzer instantly makes you feel better! Use creme, powder or gel whichever you prefer to warm up your skin a little. I like Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Creme Bronzing make-up base for a natural sun kissed glow.

8.  Use a Tinted moisturiser, BB cream or Bronzing Tint to keep your make-up base light whilst giving your face that summer glow.  I love Charlotte Tilbury Healthy Glow, a small amount goes a long way and makes you feel healthy and happy instantly (no joke!).

9.  Carry a translucent blotting powder compact with you to keep your make-up set though-out the day and blot any shine away.  My favourite is MAC Blot powder in shade Medium Dark.

10.  Summer make-up is a must so finally always add a bright pop of lip colour to finish your look and make you feel great. My favourite is a Tom Ford Lip colour in shade Twist of Fate the perfect coral shade for me!

What are your summer faves? Do share with me I would love to know!

Niki x



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TUESDAY TIP: De-Clutter your Make-up Bag!

Spring is well and truly here now so it is as good as time as any to spring clean your make-up bag.

Firstly check the expiry dates on all products (this should be done regularly) and throw out items you have had for too long, ladies you know who you are!! Any makeup that smells, has changed colour or texture or that generally looks dirty throw it!  Every cosmetic has a small open pot logo on the back with a number written inside it, this is the number of months or years it can be used after opening.

Throw out any item you have had for years and never use and any make-up that you have had for over two years should definitely go!
Wipe clean your makeup bag regularly with warm soapy water both inside and out.  Products can be easily and quickly cleaned with a dettol/antibacterial wipe or a similar spray and kitchen towel.

Here is a general guide to how long you should keep makeup:
Mascara - 3-6 months
Eyeliner 3 months-2 years
Powder eyeshadow, blusher, bronzer, powder - 18 months to 2.5 years
Foundation 6 months-2 years
Concealer 6 months-2 years
Lipstick - 2 years





Below are the essentials you should include in your make-up bag for a day and/or evening look.

My Top Ten Make-up Bag Essential items!
Base
Concealer
Primer/eye primer
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Brow colour
Mascara
Blusher
Bronzer
Clear brow gel

Inside my current makeup bag!
Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow - I am also finishing up the last of La Mer reparative skin tint spf 30 (now discontinued)
MAC studio finish concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise creme shadow in shade Jean (used as a primer)
Charlotte Tilbury Barbarella Brown Eyeliner pencil
Nars Isolde Duo eyeshadow plus a Smashbox mixed palette.
MAC Brow duo powder
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary lashes Mascara
Bobbi Brown Pot rouge in Calypso Coral
Chanel Soleil Tan Creme Bronze Universal and NARS Laguna bronzing powder
Maybelline Brow Drama transparent



Keep your makeup brushes and tools such as sponges, pencil sharpener and eyelash curlers separately to your make-up bag. Likewise keep your powder compact and lip colour separately in your handbag to keep with you for touch ups during the day.  In my handbag I keep my trusty MAC Blot powder in shade Medium dark, Tom Ford lip colour in Twist of Fate and a Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Pillow talk.

It is important to review your makeup regularly, as your face changes colour, texture and general condition with the changing seasons, age, hormones and environment so your makeup should be adjusted accordingly.

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Friday Fave!: OLAPLEX No.6

I have been using OLAPLEX NO.6 as a leave-in hydrating treatment after drying my hair since it launched last year.  I apply a small amount to my fingertips and smooth through my hair after drying mostly to the mid-lengths and ends. This small amount tames frizz, adds shine and moisture to my hair which definitely feels much stronger and shinier.  I love that it doesn't weigh the hair down or leave a greasy residue.
My hairdresser commented that my hair was in a very healthy condition considering it is so long and highlighted, I think OLAPLEX No. 6 has something to do with that! You only need to use a small amount as it is concentrated, the bottle will certainly last you well.  It can also be applied to damp hair and combed through and will offer heat protection and speed up blow drying!  I prefer to use it as a leave-in styling treatment after drying as it finishes my hair by adding beautiful smoothness and shine that I didn't have before!

Made from natural and vegan ingredients it smoothes, repairs and strengthens all hair types. OLAPLEX is a singular molecule developed by world-class material scientists.  A unique chemistry that is an absolute "Game Changer" I love it!  It also contains Coconut oil and Vitamin E as well as OLAPLEX.

Top Tip: Apply at night for amazing next day hair.



RRP. £26.00
Available at SpaceNK
https://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/haircare/styling/hair-cream/no.-6-bond-smoother-MUK300053881.html

Friday Fave!:Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

This moisturiser has been in my Professional makeup kit now for a good few years it is much loved by my clients and smells simply divine with its uplifting scent of grapefruit and geranium!

A Bobbi Brown Cult beauty buy!  It doubles up as a primer and moisturiser ideally suited for normal to oily skin types.

Oil-free. paraben and sulfate free and suitable for vegan beauty fans.  It contains shea butter, vitamins C, B, and E to moisturise.  A rich yet non-greasy moisturiser that is the perfect primer before makeup application.

This is a firm staple in my pro' kit, I highly recommend as a daily moisturiser.



RRP. £44.50 50ml
https://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/product/14007/7485/skincare/moisturiser/vitamin-enriched-face-base

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 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

Friday Fave! MAC Blot Powder

This has been in a staple in both my professional makeup kit and my personal makeup bag for my entire career spanning over fifteen years! I cannot say many products last as a favourite for that long.

The powder comes in five shades for all skin tones with a powder puff in the compact.
Light, medium, medium dark, dark and deep dark
I use medium dark and this is the most used shade in my professional kit as well.

I like to apply it with a brush on clients for a natural finish or with a puff if shine on the skin is strong.
I use the puff in the compact on myself and control shine and keep my makeup set all day using this powder, it never leaves my handbag!

This powder is great for oily/combination skin, professional makeup work and special situations in life when you really need your makeup to last without looking shiny.  It also achieves a sheer and natural finish which I absolutely love.

It is an oil control powder that has super minimal colour so it will not change the colour of your base foundation the more you apply throughout the day.  It simply sets makeup in place very well and blots shine.

I 100% recommend this product and have yet to find anything thats beats it.

Retail £22.50

https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13849/301/products/makeup/face/powder/blot-powderpressed

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

November Update!

November is a quiet month for me in general which has meant I have had time to catch up on admin.... and do lots of decorating at home which has been both stressful and fun! When I haven't been painting faces I have had a paint brush in my hand painting walls which I have to say I really do enjoy.  Watch this space for Niki's Painting & Decorating Services in the future!!!Lol!!!

I am now gearing up for a busy Christmas period and looking forward to starting 2019!

Behind the scenes makeup set up's...





Bridal trials...a lot of hairstyling lately.

Christmas shoots, its coming!



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