July Update!

I have loved the super sunny hot July in the UK! What a scorcher it has been : )
I have really enjoyed some relaxing down time in the garden and long walks and exercise outdoors it really has been bliss.

July started with a flurry of prom make up's followed by a truly beautiful wedding for Charlotte at stunning Coworth Park. It has been another busy month of shoots and weddings.
This month also saw my second wedding anniversary celebrations we had a lovely meal at Thompson at Darcys in St.Albans and will be visiting Pennyhill Spa for a relaxing weekend break. We surprisingly got each other the same card. Second anniversary is cotton so I had some fun cotton cupcakes made at www.heavenisacupcake.net

I also made my first loaf of bread! #breadmaker 

I got inspired at Tate Modern seeing The Matisse Cut Outs exhibition, you really must see it before it ends in September!

 I saw this in Selfridges and fell in love with it!

 My lippy artwork, I am lips obsessed at the moment.

I am also inspired by mosaic and mosaic art at the moment and hope to create my own mosaic masterpiece soon.

My Summer essential!

MY SUMMER ESSENTIAL!

I have been using Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 daily for a few months now.

I love it because it feels light and non-greasy on and gives high protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

It is also in a handy small size to carry in your bag for 'on the go' application for face and body when needed and is water resistant.

I have found this product great worn alone and I use it daily as a base protection under make-up.

I have also had no breakouts using this which has happened with other sun cream's, plus I love the scent...reminiscent of holidays.

It's RRP is currently reduced from £6.00 to £3.00 in both Boots and Superdrug so happy shopping!

Inside my summer make-up bag!

What to know what is inside the make-up bag of a Professional Make-up artist?

Here is my personal summer make-up bag staples.

Laura Mercier Bronzing gel for face
Smashbox camera ready concealer stick shade 04
YSL Touche eclat
Kiko bronzing powder shade 100
Kiko Rock Attraction shade 05 Sound Coral brightening blusher
Kiko eye base primer
Charlotte Tilbury eye pencil colour chameleon shade Amber haze
Nars Eyeshadow duo shade Isolde
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
Barry M Lash Vegas black mascara

I'd love to know what your summer make-up essentials are, get in touch and let me know!

Niki

X

Bridal make-up.

In December 2013 I was lucky enough to do wedding make-up for stunning Steph and her bridesmaids at her super glamorous Christmas wedding. See some of the fabulous pictures below.

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

June Update!

After a super busy May and first week in June I was certainly ready for a sunshine break! I must admit I relaxed as soon as I arrived in Spain this time, usually it takes me a few days to unwind but I think I was so shattered I just immediately went into the relaxed holiday vibe : )

We had a fabulous holiday in Marbella, Seville and Cordoba it was great to experience different parts of Spain and we loved every minute. See some of my holiday snaps below.

Also see some of the unusual places I have had to set up my kit this month! I was also lucky enough to do make-up for the world pole dancing champion Alessandra Marchetti she was ubertalented, previously a ballerina and gymnast and super lovely to boot.

All set up for weddings and shoots as of late mostly working in bathrooms! 

 Serious Pole dancing complete with bling, checkout the gold pole!

and relax.....

 Marbella

 Jerez, and yes a bottle of sherry was definitely purchased!

 Seville

 Seville oranges : )

 Flamenco show.

 Beautiful Cordoba

Ohh, and I also had a yummy afternoon tea at The Sanderson hotel for Mum's birthday. Highly recommend, it was one of our favourite afternoon teas!

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

My top five make-up products for June!

1) Lola lip brush available at M&S. 

I have been on the hunt for the perfect lip brush for what feels like forever! All of the premium brands I have tried the brush hairs splay out after some use making for rather annoying application of lip colour. I tested out the Lola lip brush, a great price at £10.00 last year and six months later I am so impressed no splayed hairs at all and I have just brought another!

2) Daniel Sandler Rosy Tan Eyeshadow.

This colour is a beautiful shade of pink that if I am honest I have found very hard to find anything similar to.  A staple in my kit and used on so many of my clients this is a firm summer favourite of mine. Looks great worn alone or with browns, greys or purples for stronger and smokier eyes.

3) MAC Shale Eyeshadow.

I have always loved this shade it looks particularly good on mature eyes! A mauve shade that's great for achieving smokey eye looks aswell as softer daytime eyes. Incidentally this is the perfect partner to Daniel Sandler Rosy Tan-wear this on eyelids and 'shale' through the sockets for a defined eye.

4) Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation.

I am loving this foundation at the moment! It stays all day and achieves beautiful flawless coverage.

This is a new favourite of mine and is ideal for those that like a perfect full coverage foundation.  The light version is less heavy and equally as fabulous.

5) Loreal Paris Glam Shine Gloss Brilliance 6hr.

These glosses are just great! An excellent colour range I have most in my kit now and one shade 'Fresh Tangerine 405' has remained in my make up bag so you know it must be good! Affordable and long wearing what more could a girl want.

Happy Shopping!

Bridal Hair inspiration for very short hair.

When researching wedding hairstyles for shorter hair it appears there is no where near as many inspirational pictures available online as for longer haired styles, especially when it comes to very short hairstyles. With this in mind below I have picked some of the best wedding hair looks around for very short hair. I hope you have been inspired and for more of my inspirational pictures check out my pinterest pages. http://gb.pinterest.com/nikimakeup/

www.nikimakeup.co.uk