Graduated from AOFM...hooray!

I am very proud to say I have graduated from AOFM with a certificate of combined Foundation/Advanced Makeup 

I have spent two weeks in London on an intensive course covering the broad spectrum of skills needed to be a freelance makeup artist. topics covered were:

• Smokey eyes
• Foundations- powders creams ,skin base prep and prime and concealing
• Eyebrow shaping
• Avantgarde make Up
• Catwalk make Up
• Body painting (greasepaint, and water based)
• Bridal
• Editorial looks
• Sculpting and high lighting for face
• Red lips
• Ethnic skin and male grooming





The great thing about the course is that we had a tutorial from a different working makeup artist everyday, all of whom have worked in the industry for years, we got to see their portfolios and pick their brains about the industry and what makes a good kit.

We also had a shopping day where we had the opportunity to buy from Bobbi brown,Mac, benefit, Shu Umera, bare essentials and  Charles Fox with up to 35% discount!!!..I spent a fortune but love my kit now and cant wait to get to work!

My essentials for a kit are:

• Shu Umera SPF Moose base
• Shu Umera Eyelash curlers
• Shu Umera 7H lip brush
• Shu Umera eye liner wirh refills
• Mac face and body C1, C2, C3, C4, C5
• Mac Medium Mixer (fab for using pigment on lips and eyes)
• Mac full coverage for concealing
• Mac skinfinish in soft and gentle
• Mac strobe cream
• Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks
• Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser in Bone ,Natural and Golden  (perfect for bridal)
• Laura Mercier translucent powder for setting
• Benefit brow set
• AOFM Brush set

I definitely would recommend this course for anyone interested in Makeup and hair as a career...in my opinion its the best out there.

Not only do you get the training but the aftercare is great! you get the opportunity of working at London fashion week and assist on shoots, there are also masterclasses with leading artists in the industry which are free if you do the courses.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1244653768  AOFM face book page

Academy of Freelance Make Up course

SO.... I'm a little excited!,  I'm off to London for two weeks to train at the AOFM! situated in the heart of the west end they offer a broad range of courses starting from foundation courses to Total pro hair and make Up courses at reasonable prices, I have spent the last year looking for the best school  for me that would meet my needs (some of them seem to be a little outdated or overpriced) and judging from  the feedback AOFM have received i have definitely made the right choice! they have now opened a school in New york and Paris !!

There are also alot of great Industry names associated with AOFM  (Jana Ririnui, Christina Irevedra, Rachel Wood, Jade Hunka, Maria Papaodpoulou  all of whom contributed to the AOFM book Make up is Art ( I reviewed this a few weeks ago) and are tutors at the academy.



They also have great working relationship with brands such as MAC, Shu Umera, Bobbi Brown St Tropez and many more. The thing that really appealed to me is the aftercare. Many people do courses and don't know how to take it to the next level this course aims to help you make contacts, network and really get involved in events like London fashion week, magazine shoots and hands on training and assisting, i think that's invaluable to a new face in the industry.

I will keep you all updated with what I'm doing and photos so watch this space..wish me luck ;0D

http://www.aofmakeup.com/v6/flash_london.html
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1244653768

choosing the right shade of foundation for your skin tone

Did you know most women will buy around 7 foundations before they actually find the correct shade to match their skin tone?, Some women will buy a foundation the colour of what they want their skin to be instead of the tone they ought to be! its very tempting to go shades darker but this never looks natural always try and match your exact skin tone (try mixing colours on your hand if you cant find one).


Experts say its best to choose a foundation with a yellow undertone even if you think your complexion is porcelain and pale. Its also important to choose the right type of foundation for your skin type and needs. ( oil based is not good for oily skin).



The best way to test your shade is to stand in natural light and dab some on your jawline up to your cheekbone you can do this with a few and compare the results. You will instantly see the best match and that's your shade..even if it takes 10 trys at least you will be wearing the right foundation!! get samples instead of buying the bottles if you don't want to try in the shop. or ask for help that's what they are there for!!

Foundation guide

You Have: A dull, dry complexion
You Want: Glowing, dewy skin
Try: A hydrating foundation. There are moisturising foundations that deliver sheer coverage (like tinted moisturisers or balms) or medium to full coverage (like creamy liquids and whipped foundations). Stay away from powder and mattifying formulas. They'll zap your skin of oils, leaving your skin looking dry and chalky.

You Have: Oily skin
You Want: Smooth, matte skin
Try: An oil-absorbing foundation. Look for buzzwords like 'oil-free,' 'mattifying,' or 'shine-reducing' on the foundation's packaging. As a general rule, oil-free or oil-reducing liquid foundations impart light to medium coverage, while cream and compact foundations give you full coverage.

You Have: Combination skin
You Want: A uniform complexion that's neither shiny nor dry.
Try: A foundation with silica beads and lecithin. The silica beads soak up oil on your t-zone (forehead, nose & chin), while the lecithin hydrates dryer areas like your cheeks.

My top  foundation picks:

Award winning Bobbi brown Natural Finish is perfect for oily skin as its an oil free formula that lasts all day with great coverage in a great range of colours.

I love this foundation its really smooth and leaves a natural finish without that caked look, a little goes a long way!!I wear this everyday. perfect with SPF 15 to keep the wrinkles and sun damage at bay.

Lancome Photogenic luminescence is Ideal for a night out, great coverage without being too heavy and light reflecting particles make the finish flawless!

Love "Love" Magazine...fame and fashion the Androgyny issue S/S 2011

I have finally succumbed and bought the Love magazine, at 6 pounds its quite a good price as its massive (and looks fab on my coffee table,) I initially bought it because Ive been seeing quite a bit of the Kate Moss andro/lesbian pics and was curious to read the article. Lots of people have had an opinion about it good and bad nudity always causes a little contraversy, Its very tastefull and not "porn" as some have claimed!.

I have to say the imagery is breathtaking its more than a mag its a work of art, the make up is so inspiring and the ingenious layouts and type face is Art deco themed making this a really classy read. The photos by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott are mind blowing!!

This photo below is from the Marc Jacobs Article "Decadance" with photographers Alasdair McClellan's and Joanne Furniss..i do love a winged eye!

Love this image make up by Pat McGrath

There also a nice article about the New York club scene with transgender models and club kids, I like that they kept it real by not using models..

The only downside is the amount of glossy ads takes up half the book but still lovely images too!

Check them out online http://www.thelovemagazine.co.uk/

Speaking of love i really like these ornaments that i bought from Marks and Spencer..

Morrocan Hair Oil....bye bye frizz

I was thinking about getting a Brazilian blow dry recently until my lovely hairdresser put me on to this product, my hair is quite fine but curly so I have to painstakingly blow dry and straighten to have a good hair day and use about 4 products which can end up making my hair a bit limp!

This is amazing stuff it leaves no residue on your hair and is actually a treatment as well so is a double bonus! simply apply to wet hair (only a small drop is needed) and dry, it also reduces hair drying time too. you can use everyday without buildup My hair is much shinier and smoother I'm a very happy girl ;0D

I bought a 100ml bottle for 30 quid but you can buy a smaller one for less, they also do some other fab products too which I will be investing in! great thing about this is it also has the bunny on the side of the bottle which is guaranteed to be animal tested free..yay! I bought mine from Tony and Guy but you can buy online too...

http://www.moroccanoil.com/

wow loving Daisy Knights jewellery

I really love this girls jewellery collection she is a 23yr old Cotswold's based designer and graduate from St Martins. Her pieces have been seen on the likes of Alexa Chung, Rhianna and Daisy Lowe.

Daisy's style is a fine eclectic mix of skulls, feathers and vintage styled pieces (these are my favourites)

feather drop earrings Lorne

the Lorne collection

studded wrap ring

The collection feature silver and gold pieces ranging from 40-800 pounds and are available to buy online from Net a porter and her own website http://www.daisyknights.com/collections

My best beauty buys this season..

Dermalogica Spot treatment

I suffer from oily combination skin which always results in blackheads or clogged pores and open pores,I have discovered a great product that really combats this Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel is an overnight treatment designed to help clear skin congestion and help prevent future breakouts. (great for that time of month when we just know that breakout is inevitable)

It has Vitamin B complex of Niacin amide and Biotin combined with Zinc Gluconate, Yeast Extract, Caffeine and Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (try saying that when youve had a few) it soothes irritation, inhibits overactive sebaceous gland activity and purifies.
Rosemary and Spiraea extracts inhibit the growth of acnegenic bacteria while stimulating the skin’s natural antimicrobial agents for clearer, healthier skin.

Salicylic Acid sloughs off pore clogging skin cells to inhibit development of further breakouts, while naturally antiseptic Tea Tree Oil assists in skin healing and is a natural astringent. The product Contains no artificial fragrance or color. its a wee bit  pricey at 38.60 though....

However If that's out of your price range I have found a cheaper product also containing Salicylic Acid by Garnier pure range its fantastic too you can really notice the difference in your pores and a fraction of the price (6 pounds) you can pick this up in Boots or Superdrug or online!

http://www.echemist.co.uk/p-garnier-pure-pore-purifying-toner  it's 4 pounds on this website! bargain ;0)


Clinique Bottom lash Mascara

What a genius idea i'm sick f fiddling with my mascara brush on my bottom lashes and having to wipe the smudges or pick the excess off..this product promises to define the bottom lashes with an easy application from the smaller agled brush and is anti smuge too!  its only for the bottom lash and recommended that you use the nornal mascara on the top lashes, at 10 pounds its quite reasonably priced.

http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1606/15586/Makeup/Mascara/NEW-Bottom-Lash-Mascara/index.tmpl


Tweezerman..go pluck yourself !!

Loving these funky tweezers they have won numerous beauty awards and are available in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes. they also do other products such as cosmetics, eyelash curlers beauty kits.they deliver worldwide!.. can't wait to get my mitts on these little polka dot beauties ..happy pucking ladies x

http://www.tweezerman.com/scripts/category.cfm?gc=B&topmenu=1&submenu=1