My Spring 2017 Makeup Look

Hello Everyone,

I am so sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while. I have wanted to but haven't really known what to write, and my mind was somewhere else, which you would understand if you have read "My New Years Update" blog.

Anyway, today I have decided to write you a step by step guide through my go to glow-y makeup look for this spring so far.

Starting off as normal, I have prepped and primed my skin. To moisturise I have used Benefit's Total Moisture, I have been using this recently as my skin has been dry and dehydrated in areas recently. To prime my skin I have used my go to, all time fave, the L'OREAL PARIS LUMI MAGIQUE PRIMER. I literally love this so much as it gives an all over glow to my skin and is especially great if your skin looks a bit dull and needs a pick me up.

Now, lets start with the base, your skin. Using my Real Techniques beauty blender I wipe my foundation over my skin, before pushing the product into my skin, by bouncing the beauty blender over the skin, you are making the product give more of a coverage and it will also last longer. The foundation that I have used today is the ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLEWEAR. As I am wanting dewy, glowing finish, I am not going to apply any setting powder, I will only apply setting powder if I have work due to all the harsh lighting, to make sure that it lasts.

 To keep my skin looking fresh and healthy while contouring, I then take a beauty blender and do one pump of BENEFIT'S LIQUID HOOLA BRONZER, I often dab this onto the back of my hand to that I don't apply too much to the areas. I bounce the product over the skin so that there are no harsh lines. To blend it a little more I get the flat surface of the beauty blender which was used for my foundation and blend any edges with the residue left on the sponge. I apply the bronzer to the lower half of my cheek bones, and my hairline. I have kept the bronzer subtle, so that it looks more natural.

I then applied some concealer, I used the L'OREAL PARIS LUMI MAGIQUE HIGHLIGHTER CONCEALER, to any blemishes and under my eyes. I used a beauty blender to blend it all in. 

Next up, eyes, I have kept my eye makeup very simple by using two colours and one brush. 

As a base colour, I used a matte peachy coral eyeshadow. I pushed this all over my eyelid with the Real Techniques medium shadow brush. I then blend any harsh edges with my finger. The second colour that I used was BENEFIT'S POWDER EYESHADOW, IT'S COMPLICATED. I love this eyeshadow because it is very subtle so you can wear it on its own and gives more of a gold shimmer than a peach, which it looks like. Using the same brush I apply it all over the eyelid. 

Personally, with this look I don't apply any eyeliner. But if I was to apply anything along the lash lines it would be a brown eyeshadow. I choose and eyeshadow as it isn't so bold easily blendable. I also say brown, as black is way too harsh for this overall look. 

Swiftly onto the brows. I brushed through them with a brow spulee, then I get my Body Shop angled brush and the Tanya Burr eyebrow pallette. I use the darkest shade and lightly brush through my brows. I dont have to apply alot as I have really dark hairs. Mainly use it to my them look more defined especially in the sparse areas of my brows.

Next up, I would apply a little bit of peach toned blush. Any blush would do. I used one that came in a palette by Makeup Revolution, but unfortunately the palette is not sold anymore.

I Then finish off the eyes, using the THEY'RE REAL mascara in black by BENEFIT. I apply a different amount of mascara everyday depending on what I'm doing that day. So apply as much as you want, But not so much that your lashes look like spiders.
I also like to sometimes use THEY'E REAL mascara in blue with this look. It really makes the colours stand out more and your eyes instantly look brighter.

To finish off the look, I would normally apply a peach/coral toned lip balm, but today I decided to apply a bright coral lipstick. I applied the lipstick by using a lip brush, if you use a brush, it wont be so bright and I also blurred out the edges so that there wasn't such a bold edge, making the lips look a lot softer.

And, that is the finished look. I hope that you have enjoyed it, and that you are wanting to try it out. Please do leave any comments of any looks that you would like me to try. Or even send me your interpretations of this look on Instagram or twitter. I shall look forward to reading any comments or even seeing your looks. Any of my social media links are in the bio at the top of this page.

Thank you for reading.

Sending love x

Tips & Tricks For Your Makeup.

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would answer some questions on here that I often get asked as a makeup artist, hopefully you will find this helpful.

Q: Should I cleanse and moisturise my skin, before I do my makeup?
A: YES!!! It is so important that you cleanse and moisturise your skin before hand. Cleansing your
     skin, is making sure that your skin is thoroughly clean and ready for you to apply your
     moisturiser. You should always Moisturise before you proceed with your makeup as your skin
     needs the moisture, as you are about to put a load of products onto your skin, which after time
     could become drying to your skin.  I always allow the moisturiser to sink in to my skin for 2
     minutes before I do my makeup.

Q:How can I make my foundation last longer?
A: There are a few ways to make your foundation last longer.
      1. A PRIMER. Primers help your makeup to last longer in general. Make sure that the primer
          works with your skin type though. You don't want to put a drying primer on to dry skin. You 
          will want an oil free primer if you have oily skin.
      2. FOUNDATION: If you have dry skin use a liquid foundation. If you have oily skin use a
          powdered foundation. If you have combination skin, I would recommend using a liquid and
          doing a light powder over your foundation in the areas that become oily.
      3. APPLICATION: I prefer to use a dense brush, moving it in circular motions. This is working it
          into the skin, and I find it also gives a bit more of a full coverage.

Q: How can I cover any redness?
A: The best thing to cover redness, is to use a green corrective concealer. Apply this before your
     foundation.

Q: How can I cover any darkness under my eyes or from scarring?
A: For any darkness you need either a red or orange product. You can get peach toned corrective
     concealers. Or I sometimes use a coral or a red lipstick or eyeshadow.

Q:Is there a way I can make a lipstick slightly longer wearing?
A: Yes, apply your lipstick as usual, get a tissue and separate the layers of the tissue. Place a one of the layers over your lips and lightly push some translucent powder over the lip area with a brush.

Q: How can I make my eyes look brighter and more open?
A: A great way to make your eyes look brighter and more open, is to apply a flesh coloured or a
     white pencil liner to your water line. This will give the instant look.

Q: Should I ever have days, where I shouldn't wear makeup?
A: Of course you should have days, where you don't wear any makeup. I always suggest that you
     have at least 2 days where you don't wear any makeup (I often wear no makeup on my days off or
     if I am just at home and not going out anywhere). Sometimes I won't even wear makeup to work
     or I just wear some mascara, just so that my skin can breathe for a few days.
 
Q: How can I tell my eyebrows are the right length/ shape for me?
A: The shape of your brows is completely up to personal preference. The length on the other hand, is
     what helps to define your eyes.

Purple, shows where your brows should ideally start.

Red, where the arch in your brow should peak.

Pink, is where your brows should end.

I hope that you find some or all of these useful.

Let me know of any other questions you would like me to answer.

Thank you for reading xx

A New Years Update.

Hi Everyone,

   So I was just wanting to give you all a little bit of an update of what has gone on so far for me in 2017.
If I am honest it has been a little tough for me so far.

I have reduced my hours at work, so hopefully I will be able to do some more makeup looks for you all.I shall look forward to doing them.

But the 2 toughest things that have happened to me is that two people that I know have been diagnosed with cancer.
One of them is a friend of mine, she has a brain tumour, she knows about my history with cancer so hopefully, I will be able to be a good support for her.

The other person though, is even more of an important person to me. He is the person I have always looked up to and gone to. My dad. He was diagnosed last week with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
Now, if you have read my very first blog, you would know that I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) when I was 3 years old. They are both cancer of the blood, just different intensities.
My dad went into hospital yesterday, and is starting his treatment journey at some point this week. I am not going to have my dad home for at least three months.

So in a way, I am so happy that I have been able to reduce my hours, just so that I can visit and spend time with my dad.

My dad is the third family member i am now having to see go through the battle with cancer. When I came out of treatment from mine, my Granddad (dad's dad) was diagnosed with prostate, he fought for 8 years, sadly passed. A few years later my Nan (mum's mum) was diagnosed, her cancer spread, she sadly passed. Now I am about to witness my dad. Thankfully, they have caught the cancer early on.

I want anyone, that knows somebody or even if you are personally going through cancer, or have even fought cancer. Please feel free to write a comment, if its advice for someone or a question.
Let's make sure that nobody feels alone. We all need to support one another.

Sending love to you all. 

Megan x

My Christmassy Makeup Look

Hello Everyone,

Today I have chosen to write a step by step of my Seasonal Christmas makeup.
(Please excuse the fluffy jumper and un-groomed eyebrows.)

STEP 1:

I cannot emphasise this enough, but,

 always prep your skin first with moisturiser.

I then apply my L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Primer. 

STEP 2:

I apply my foundation, I use the Estée Lauder Doublewear foundaton.

I buff this in to my skin using the Real Techniques buffing brush. 

I swear by this foundation and the brush. I struggle to find any other products, to use as an alternative. 

STEP 3:

I apply my favourite concealer under my eyes.

I use the Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer.

I leave this while I do my brows, before blending it in with a beauty blender.

STEP 4:

BROWS!!!

I use Benefits KA BROW! gel. Of which is amazing. 

If you are interested on how i create my brows, I have written another blog, on how to create your perfect brows.

STEP 5:

I go onto contouring and highlighting.

To contour, I use Benefit's Hoola bronzer. I find this really good as it is matte, and it has no red or orange tones so it is build able and anyone can wear it. I mainly apply this to my cheekbones. If i do this makeup look for a night out, I apply this around my hairline lightly, just to give more of a glow to my skin. I use the Real Techniques contour brush.

I then apply MUA's Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder, in Iridescent Gold.

Apply this to the tops of my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. I apply this with the Real Techniques, duo fibre face brush.

STEP 6:

Next, it is all about the eyes.

Apply Hoola to the crease of the eyes with a Real Techniques, base shadow brush. 

I then apply, from the MUA: Undress Me Too Palette, I use the shade Fiery applying to the eyelid with my finger. I pat this on so that the shimmer is more obvious. Using the same pallete, I apply the shade Obsessed, into the crease / outer corner of my eyelids. I applied this with the Real Techniques angled shadow brush. 

STEP 7:

Mascara. I curl my lashes, before applying Benefit's They're Real Mascara in black, then I apply Urban Decay's Total Perversion Mascara in black. 

STEP 8:

Today I applied lip liner all over my lips before doing my mascara. I am not sure why, just did.

I used the Maybelline New York, COLORsensational lip liner in shade 338 (Midnight Plum).

I then applied RIMMEL London's PROVOCALIPS 16hr kiss proof lip colour, in shade 410 (Not Guilty) over the top.

Pop on your dress and you are ready to dance the festive night away.

Thank you for reading. I hope that you enjoyed it. 

Feel free to leave any comments. 

Sending Love xx

Readers, your opinion please!!

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all well.

So I have come up with this crazy, maybe stupid idea, to allow two of my closest friends to take over my blog for a week. Meaning they will be able to write whatever they want, also I will have to wait and see what they do, just like you guys.

Please let me know if you would like this to happen. Just leave a comment.

Sending you all love xx

How to create your perfect brows!!!

I have been asked by so many people, how do you do your brows?

So I thought I may as well do a step by step on how I do them.

When I have been out with friends that are also make-up artists a beauty therapists, we always see people that we wish we could take off their brow product and re-do them.

After all, your brows, frame your face.

So, lets get started.

Step 1:

Make sure that your brows are the perfect length for you.

The purple line, shows you how to measure where your brow should start.

The red line, is showing where the arch should be.

The pink line, is where the brow should end.

If you get your brows waxed, plucked, threaded or any other treatment, the therapist should always measure out these points.

Step 2:

I use the brush on an brow pencil, and brush the hairs upwards first and then again into the direction they should be going.

By doing this you will be able to see the shape of your brow,

which gives a better indication on how to make the brows look a bit more natural.

Step 3:

I use a pencil (that matches my natural hair colour), 

and draw a line along the base of my brow.

I then draw a line at the top of my brow.

When I do this I make sure that I am drawing on the hairs,

not on the skin around the brow.

I have some people that have done this, and their brows look fake and thick. 

Step 4:

I then use a brow gel/wax kind of substance, and brush against the hairs.

By doing this, you be getting the product behind the hairs, making the hairs themselves, not look really clogged with product. I mainly use the gel/wax in the arched area of the brow.

I use the spooley brush on the pencil and brush the hairs back in to place. 

Showing where any areas could be that need some product.

It cal also help blend any thick areas of product through the brow.

The inner area of the brow, I use a pencil and very gently do small strokes to make the area look thicker. Make sure to keep brushing through the brows once you have applied some product(s) to make sure all is blended well.

Step 5:

Your finished brow!!!

Some people like to use some concealer on a brush and go round the brow,

to make the lines a lot sharper. 

I don't do this, just so then the lines are a lot softer and the brows don't look too filled in.

I hope that this has helped some of you, on how to create your perfect brows.

Feel free to leave any comments, if you have any questions or other tips for people.

Thank you x

Dear Charlie and Ella and my dear readers

Dear Charlie and Ella, 

        I hope you nutcases are okay. I just wanted to say that I am grateful for what you are trying to do together to raise money and awareness against cancer. 

I want you to know that I am so proud of you both, and am very happy to have the pleasure of knowing you. You are both wonderful and wacky. You are some of the kindest people that I know as well. 

I know that you have both lost loved ones to cancer, and I can tell you that everything does get better. They are always with you and never leave your side. They would be so proud of you both, just like anyone that have the pleasure of knowing you. 

I sure hope and wish that there are more people out there in the world that are just like you. You are both determined to give out such a special but important message. 

So I am going to help and reach out to my readers around the world right now, for you. 

1 in 2 of us will have cancer. There are over 200 different types of cancer, due to over 200 different cell types in your body. 
There are scientists trying to find the cure of all 200, but they do need your help. 
Please donate to any cancer charity possible. Every penny counts.
Stand Up To Cancer UK raised an amazing £15,560,519 yesterday, but that still is not enough to find the cure. 
Cancer is one of the biggest killers world wide. We need to help stop it! 

I would love it if you readers could please help kick cancer's arse!!! 

Charlie and Ella, I send you so much love. You are both so incredible. Hugs are coming your way. 

Thank you xx