My Makeup Studio!

I have just set up a makeup studio in my home office and I love it!

I spent the Easter break decorating, sourcing furniture and finding storage solutions and I am really pleased with the results.  A clean, minimalist working space with a little added glamour.

I chose the Ikea 'Malm' Vanity unit http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10203610/ as it is perfect with it's glass top it is great for wiping clean easily after makeup and also has a built in drawer for ample storage.

I opted for clear 'Godmorgon'  http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70177477/ tabletop storage from Ikea as this is great for me to easily access tissues, cotton buds and pads.  Inside the drawer I added a few Ikea 'Kuggis' storage boxes http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10280203/#/20280207

I have always wanted a light up hollywood mirror and I can honestly say my dreams have come true with this purchase from http://www.illuminated-mirrors.uk.com/bathroom-mirrors/hollywood-mirrors.html. I went for warm white LED bulbs so that they will give me great lighting for makeup and will last longer than ordinary bulbs.

I love my little addition of a lightbox from http://www.whitemint.co.uk

I also have created "Vogue corner".  I think it is fitting with all the issues I have collected over the years.

My first client was lovely Hazel who had her bridal makeup trial today and is getting married in August 2016.

Wedding makeup trial's, special occasion, prom and makeup lessons are available via http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

March Update!

I hope you have all enjoyed a lovely Easter break and lots of chocolate bunnies and eggs!

I have spent the break decorating my home office into more of a studio environment.  Firstly the ceiling was re-plastered, then I got on with filling, sanding and painting which I have to say I do love doing!  I have ordered a few very exciting things, this being one!
Available at http://www.whitemint.co.uk

Most will be fitted in soon after the industrial carpet cleaning takes place next week.  Hopefully next month I can show you the finished article!





I have worked on some truly lovely brides at their March weddings.




Above Makeup http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk  Hair http://www.hairbyjaydean.com

Below hair and makeup http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk


Makeup only


I also met up with brides for trial's ahead of their summer weddings. See some of my hair and makeup trials below.





I have enjoyed some nice spring walks with my pooches even seeing some sun and blue skies occasionally.



Shoots in Rickmansworth, Milton Keynes, Slough, Abbots Langley and Stanmore.



All Bridal enquiries via http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk
Shoot/Event enquries via http://www.nikimakeup.com

My Top 10 Skin Tips for Makeup wearers!

1, Always remove makeup to avoid clogging up pores and for basic hygiene.

2, Cleanse twice, the first cleanse will remove makeup and general grime the second will give a deeper fresher cleanse to the skin, go on try it!

3, Use a separate eye makeup remover to your facial cleanser.  Apply on a cotton pad to gently remove eye makeup using a press and swipe motion rather than rubbing the pad back and forth.

4, Do not rub and pull at the skin on your face especially around the delicate eye area this also means not using facial wipes regularly, which do exactly this.

5, Gently exfoliate regularly to get rid of dead skin cells and promote new healthy, glowing skin.

6, Invest in good skincare and make it a part of your everyday routine.

7, Pay a little more for your base products such as foundation and concealer which you will use to achieve a wonderful complexion and spend a little less on lippie, eyeliner and mascara.

8, Adopt a skincare routine at a young age.   Become familiar with using a makeup remover , a moisturiser and an exfoliator. Adjust your routine as you go into your twenties, thirties, forties etc... by adding in serums, separate eye creams, anti-aging creams and so on.

9, During the summer months try to keep makeup light opting for tinted moisturiser/BB cream instead of foundation and swap to a lighter or oil free moisturiser if you need to.

10, Clean your makeup brushes, cosmetic bag and any applicators regularly. Use either a mild shampoo or a brush cleanser to avoid bacteria build up on your brushes.


www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Colour Correction News!

I have long been a fan of Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat highlighters.  A shade no. 2 is permanently in my makeup bag and shades 1, 2 and 3 are always in my professional kit.  You can imagine my excitement when I heard about the launch of the neutraliser shades which are not only perfect to correct skin-tone but beautifully packaged too.

Here's the theory bit! Skin discolouration can be disguised by an opposing shade.  The basic colour wheel below will help you to understand. For example, if you have too much redness in an area of your skin i.e the cheeks you will be able to tone the redness down by adding green on top (opposite colour on the wheel). If you have purple bruising you can tone this down by applying yellow on top. If you have darkness under the eyes this will mostly consist of blue tones which can easily be cancelled out by applying peach or even orange in severe cases (commonly on darker skin tones).





I often have to use a green corrector to correct redness in the skin which is a common problem so the YSL green neutraliser will now be a firm kit staple!
Available at Boots the Chemist and all good department stores RRP. £25.00
A great alternative at less than half the price is the Max Factor corrector stick which is equally quick and easy to use.
Available at Boots the Chemist RRP £9.99

Top Tip! For dark circles try applying a small swipe of a peach corrector under the eyes directly onto the dark area, blending well into the skin before applying foundation and concealer.

Application Tips! Apply correctors after moisturiser and primer (if you use it) but before foundation and concealer.  Remember a little goes a very long way with this product, you only need a small swipe then pat well using fingertips to blend the colour seamlessly into the skin.  Next stand back and check that you have toned the skin discolouration down effectively, finish by applying foundation and concealer as normal.  If you have applied too much product you will be able to see it looking grey/green on the skin.  Remember you are only neutralising the colour with corrector you are not trying to get rid of it entirely.  The combination of using foundation/concealer together with correctors will achieve this for you.

  


Makeup lessons and Masterclasses available via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

February update!

This year is flying by already and that is fine by me I cannot wait for summer!

I have had a busy month of wedding trials and shoots.  I have been travelling all over the place Brentwood, Leicester, Colchester, Kings Lynn, Hornchurch and Bedford to name a few!

Here is just a few of the beauties I have had the pleasure of doing makeup for...firstly a little bit of hair, beautiful braids and waves in preparation for a September wedding.

All makeup enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Makeup artist - My Kit favourites!

Here's a few of my favourite makeup picks from my professional kit.



YSL Touche Eclat (a kit staple)



Kiko 3D Instant lip plumping gloss



Bobbi Brown lip pencil in Ballet Pink (a great shade that suits so many)



MAC eyeshadows in Bark, Carbon, Arena, Era, Cork, Woodwinked and Omega (staple long wearing shades)




Daniel Sandler Eyeshadows in Rosy Tan (a pretty and flattering colour)



MAC lipsticks in Angel and Brave (great wearable colours that I use a lot on Brides in particular)




Nars Blusher in Orgasm (a great colour that suits so many)



Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow compact (kit staple)




Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream (THE best non sticky lipgloss and is a great multi-use product)



MAC Blot powder (excellent at blotting shine all day without caking)

I would love to know what your favourite makeup products are?

Recent Bride Rebecca!

On October 17th 2015 I had the absolute pleasure of doing hair and makeup for beautiful bride Rebecca, her lovely mum and four bridesmaids!

The wedding and bridal preparations took place in a beautiful rural location at Bassmead Manor Barns.  http://www.bassmeadmanorbarns-weddings.co.uk

I arrived bright and early at 7.30am to start prepping everyone's hair, it was a very busy morning for me as I had to have everyone ready by around 1pm.
Super team Andre and Suzanne form Belle Momenti photography were on hand to capture all the bridal preparations.  http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/bmp
I loved doing the bridesmaids hair in a variation of relaxed updo's, achieved by tonging the hair first then adding in braids and pinning hair up in sections.

Rebecca wanted a natural wedding day look.  To achieve this I used a little Benefit primer to make sure the makeup lasted.  I used a Kiko light coverage foundation and a little Bobbi Brown concealer. On the eyes I used a combination of MAC eyeshadows in shades Phloof, Scene and Pink Venus.  The lipstick is Angel by MAC over Ballet pink lip liner from Bobbi Brown. Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and glow completed the look. Rebecca's hair was set in velcro rollers and tonged for a relaxed part up part down style.  I did a little backcombing to achieve some height on top before adding the veil.

All booking enquiries via http://www.nikimakeup.co.uk

All images via bellemomenti.