Portfolio Preview

Bit of a different post today guys and girls. As you may know I am nearly at the end of my training to be a fully qualified MUA. To prepare me for leaving college and finding work I have begun building my portfolio ready for the day I need it! 

I thought it would be nice to show you some of the work I have done over the past few weeks and some of the first images that will enter my portfolio! As a make-up artist I will be constantly taking images out and replacing them with new and improved shots but as these are my first ever pictures I think they will forever hold a place in my heart :P 

Working on my own on a photo shoot was kind of daunting at first but I soon got into it chatting away to the stunning models and I feel my confidence has grown so much from doing this already!

I hope you like these and you don't mind the different kind of post today, a nice change I hope! 

Boots Haul

I'm sure you know how this all goes, you go into Boots for one thing and end up walking out with things you don't need/had no intention of buying! Boots had their 3 for 2 offer again on all make-up products and whenever this deal is on I can't seem to refuse! It's a perfect time to stock up on all your essentials and trying out new products without breaking the bank.

Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily Skin

This a re-found love of mine. This used to be my number 1 foundation around a year ago and like many other products it gets forgotten about after time. I have fallen in love with this foundation all over again. It provides medium coverage which is easily buildable to full and leaves a matte finish so probably isn't great if you like the natural dewy finish, but for someone with oily skin like me its fab! I picked up two shades - Natural Tan and Buff. Natural tan is my perfect fake tan colour. I also picked up Buff which is a pale yellow toned shade. I find it hard to find a yellow undertoned pale shade and this is just perfect! Whenever I'm less tanned and Natural Tan is too dark for me I mix it with Buff and it creates the perfect shade! 

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner - Intense Black

I had run out the eyeliner I had been using which come free in a Birchbox I received, unfortunately for me it was not so easily available to buy in the UK and I was desperate for a new one. Again like the Colorstay I used to use this around a year ago so thought would give it another go! It is a super jet black eyeliner (unlike some which can be grey.) It is also VERY creamy and glides onto the lid easily without pulling! I apply this with the MAC 210 brush. Also it is long lasting and won't move throughout the day at all! Even on my oily eyelids!

NYX Jumbo Pencil - Peacock

Now this isn't from Boots but I had a photo-shoot coming up with a beautiful model who had turquoise hair! The photographer had an amazing idea to do the lips the same colour as the models hair. Now as you can imagine, not even make-up artists carry a turquoise shade in their kit. I had to get my hands on a shade like this pretty quick so decided to check out NYX as they have recently set up a stall in my local Next! I managed to pick up this Jumbo Eye Pencil in Peacock and thought it would be perfect. Now unfortunately we didn't end up using this on the shoot so I'm not really sure how much use it's going to get from now. But it is an amazing shade!

MINI MAC HAUL

Everyone loves a MAC haul, I'm a sucker for reading these type of posts and looking for new things to buy so I hope you enjoy my little haul as it made me very happy :P

MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER

As you may of seen in my Top 5 MAC Products post this is my holy grail concealer. I use this as a highlighter in the usual area's such as under the eyes etc. I use NC15 which is a  pale yellow toned shade which is fab for highlighting! I ran out of this last week and was beside myself with what to use in place of this so I am very happy to have this back!

MAC SELECT COVER UP

This concealer is a newbie for me. I have seen quite a few of the MAC girls I follow on twitter raving about this and using as their highlighter in the same way as I currently do with my pro-longwear. I decided to get NW15 in this as I wanted a colour that would correct my dark circles and this being pink based will do that perfectly! I am yet to try this but when I swatched it, it was lovely and creamy! Review coming soon I'm sure!

MAC MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH NATURAL

Again as per my previous Top 5 Mac Products post this is another holy grail for me. Sadly after writing that post I actually LOST my MSF and it was a heartbreaking day for me for sure! I was straight onto MAC to order another one as I feel if I don't set my highlight with a lighter powder it eventually just fades to the colour of my foundation! Not the look we want! If you don't have this - you need it.



Have you had any exciting make-up discoveries lately? I would love to hear! 

COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION CONCEALER

Just a quick heads up post today girlies. The most hyped about product EVER in the blogging and YouTube world is currently on offer in Wilkinsons for £2.10! Bargain! That's about half the price of what it currently is in Boots! 

There was a bit of confusion in the bbloggers world that this was being dis-continued (which would of been the craziest thing ever for Collection to do.) I was a bit confused too as in Wilkinson's it says 'Last Chance To Buy' but do not fear Collection have announced that this product is not going anywhere! 

So go stock up whilst you can for this bargain price! I'm going to get about 10 :P

MY TOP 5 MAC PRODUCTS!

MAC fills up the majority of my Pro Make-up kit along with Illamasqua (post to come). I really do think they make beautiful products and 99% of make-up artists will have a LOT of MAC in their kit. If your new to make-up or don't want to splurge on their products without wasting your money and hating the product then hopefully this post will help you choose what to buy and not end up regretting it!

1. MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER

This is my number 1 holy grail product. I could not live without this! Sounds a bit much but it's true. Since the day I bought this it has been my only concealer I have used underneath my eyes and for my highlight and concealing. This product, as it is a pro-longwear does last all day without going cakey or patchy! I use NC15 at the moment which is about 2-3 shades lighter than my skin-tone so is perfect for highlighting all areas of your face. I am going to be getting a few more shades of this for my kit and it lasts forever!

2. MAC MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH NATURAL

This is a setting powder used for setting your foundation and getting rid of that foundation shine!  Mineralize skin finish's come in a variety of shades to suit all skin tones. What I love about this product is the fact that it is so low coverage it  doesn't 'mask' your foundation and add another layer to your make-up. It let's your foundation show through beautifully whilst keeping you matte but not too matte. This is also amazing for touching up your make-up if you get super oily and it doesn't go cakey on the skin at all which I know a lot of powders do! I'm guessing this is due to the fact the product is baked unlike other powders! I currently use the shade Light in all areas that I highlight my face and I have recently started using Medium Deep to contour my face and it's truly the perfect shade! I plan to have every shade soon and pray MAC never discontinue this product!

3. MAC PAINTPOT'S

MAC paintpot's make the best bases when you are doing any look that involves eyeshadow. Painterly is my most used as it is the perfect natural skin tone shade but will cancel out any pigmentation you have on your eyes and give you an even base to work on. It will also act as a primer and give your eyeshadows that extra staying power. Their paintpot in Blackground is also perfect for when your doing an all black smokey eye but want that extra last without your eyeshadow creasing! Remember to always put the lids back on these products though as they dry out very easily and basically become useless afterwards.

4. MAC LIPSTICKS

You  can't go wrong with MAC lipsticks. They do a huge range (probably the biggest on the market) in a range of finish's to suit everyone! Everyone is going to be different and prefer all different types so the best way is to give them a try in store. They usually always have alcohol to the side of the stand to sterilise so you can dip them in and apply onto your lips rather than just your hand! Rebel, Angel, Kinda Sexy and Myth are a few of my favs ;)

5. MAC LASHES

In my opinion MAC lashes are not raved about enough. Probably due to their price point. £10 is a hell of a lot for a pair of falsies, but in my opinion they are completely worth it! If you know how to take care of your falsies you will be able to re-use there 5-6 times! Some pairs I have got over 10 wears out of! They do a huge range to suit all eye shapes but the MAC 35 Lashes are a personal fave and suit all eye shapes! As their lashes don't come with glue I picked up the DUO lash glue off Ebay and it's the best glue ever!


I hope this post helps! If you have any recommendations you think I should try please do let me know, I don't need an excuse to buy more make-up!

Nivea Creme Original

After seeing a review on the Daily Mail website trialling the Nivea Original Creme vs the overly priced Creme De La Mer and the Nivea coming out on top I knew I had to try this and see what all the fuss was about. 

I have VERY oily, acne prone skin. During the winter months it isn't as bad but I still don't have a bit of dry skin on my body. On the other hand, my skin is also very dehydrated especially around my eye area. I have tried so many moisturisers over the years and eye creams, some costing a ridiculous amount of money so I thought to myself what did I have to lose trying out a £3.39 creme? Not only is this crazy cheap you get a huge amount for your money, 200ml in fact. I chose to get the tub offering although I do believe you can get this in a tube form as-well but it's quite a bit more expensive. Being the tight ass that I am, I chose the cheaper option! Having it in a tub form makes it easy to get the product out but is also could be quite unhygienic dipping your fingers in every day so I tend to opt for a spatula to scrape out the creme.

I only use this at night as it is a very thick creme which will leave your skin looking quite greasy looking which probably isn't the best look for the day, unless that's what look your going for ;). The creme is quite hard to rub into the skin as it's very stiff but keep rubbing and it will disappear eventually. You don't need to use a lot at all. I use a 50p sized amount for all over my face. It's probably worth mentioning I use this on my eye area where you would put an eye creme too, wether your supposed to or not I don't know but it seems to be doing wonders there! My skin has been left feeling so soft, like a baby's bum ever since I started using this, I noticed the difference from the first application. 

As far as I'm aware this is not marketed as a face creme, but an all purpose creme which makes it even better value for money. You can use this on your hands, body, wherever else you may desire. I checked the ingredients as I have basic knowledge of what is good for your skin and what to avoid and there isn't anything that stands out as bad to me. My pores also clog easily and I haven't noticed any of this either.

My skin has been left looking and feeling so amazing I am actually shocked. Since using this I haven't had one spot (touch wood) and my skin is feeling fresh and glowing. My sister actually came into my bedroom this morning and asked me why I had gone to bed with my foundation on (which I obviously hadn't) as she said my skin looked that fresh. Coming from my sister that mean't a lot. She isn't the best with compliments!

I was considering trying the Nivea Eye Cream but this seems to be working just fine for me! I am a Nivea Convert! I still use a light moisturiser in the day for under my make-up but this is my new holy grail night creme!

You can pick up Nivea here

Have you tried this Creme? What is your holy grail moisturiser?

MAC 224 DUPE

You may remember from my last wishlist post that I really wanted to purchase the MAC 224 brush and it was on my shopping list to be bought next. Yes I really do a shopping list and purchase things in that order! As I'm in college I get to try lots of make-up brushes from the girls in my course and we all tend to dabble in each other kits. Last week my make-up tutor had the MAC 224 brush with her and I asked her if I could try it out. She said she swore by this brush and had about 10 in her kit which made me even more excited to give it a go!

Firstly I tried it out with eyeshadow and using it to apply my transition colour, as predicted it blends out like a dream. This is better for un-controlled blending if that makes sense at all. For example if you want your blending to be very precise and stay in one area you would use a brush such as a 217, but for a more smoked out effect you would use a tapered blending brush such as this. I also then used this for applying my concealer (when it was clean of course.) It gave a beautiful airbrushed finish to my concealer.

It was after I got home that the penny dropped. This brush is identical to the Sigma E40, nothing different at all. This brush was kind of dis-owned until recently where I decided to try it out again and for some reason I failed to see if was exactly like the MAC 224. The Sigma E40 looks exactly the same and completes the job just as well as the MAC 224 but is a considerably option. The MAC 224 retails for £22.50 and the Sigma E40 retails here for £15.95.

MAC 217 next to the Sigma E40 for size comparison.

Now you may think that isn't much of a saving but if like me you purchase several of your favourite brushes for yourself and your kit then that £7 per brush can make quite a bit of a difference. I now have 3 of these brushes and can't imagine being separated from them!

What is your favourite make-up brush?

Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liners

Over the festive period I loved a glitter eye. Doesn't everyone? It's such a beautiful look when you want to feel extra glam! Especially adding colours! The only downside to glitter - the mess. The mess really puts me off doing it and to be honest theres no way to avoid it. You can do your eyes first but there is always that last bit of glitter that doesn't want to remove itself from your face! So I was on the hunt for something I could use instead of loose glitter powder. I searched trusty YouTube and came across this video from Pixiwoo and I had to have the glitter product she used! I was amazed to hear that it was by Collection! The liner is called Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liners.

The next day I took a trip to my local boots and headed to the Collection stand and was surprised at the colour selection that was available. There was 6 all together but looking on their website they actually have 14 colours available and I picked out 4 which I think I would use the most. The best part? They were £2.99!!!!! If I hadn't of watched the Pixiwoo video I would never of looked twice at this product. In my experience glitter liners are usually pretty naff and don't distribute the product evenly. This has such fine chunks of glitter in but really does manage to pack the glitter on the lid. I found the best way to use this is too add a crease colour so you don't have any harsh glitter edges and then apply a layer of the glitter all over the lid. It is then best to wait for the glitter to dry then add another layer and keep repeating the process until your happy with the coverage! This product gives no fall out at all so is amazing for people that hate mess!

(L-R) Rock Chick, Hustle, Va Va Voom, Dig It

Currently in Boots, the Collection stand are giving a free mascara when you spend over £5 on Collection make-up so be sure to grab that if you go! I haven't tried the mascara yet but if it rocks my world I'm sure you will be hearing about it in a favourites post.

I'm so excited to rock this look. I think the black will be my most used as I do love me a smokey eye! 

You can pick up the Glam Crystals Gel Liner here

What are your favourite Collection Products? I want to try more from this brand, I am loving everything I have tried so far!