Blog Honesty!

So, I woke up to a lovely email this morning (sarcasm)

The email was regarding my FOTD posted yesterday and how I should only post flawless FOTD's because and I quote "No-one wants to see a look that you couldn't get right, people want flawless looks and you should know better being a make-up artist posting something inferior"

So, I thought I would post the reason's behind posting the "inferior" look.

I believe in honesty and just because I'm a Make-up Artist does not mean that I am automatically perfect at everything. Any Make-up Artist will tell you that you never stop learning FACT

I wanted to post the look anyway to show that Make-up Artist's do get it wrong, we are not all perfect and in my case I am actually better at doing other peoples make-up than my own. With that said, I chose to use my own face because this is my blog and it should have my face on it. From time to time I may use a model but that will be a rare event!

I will always post honestly because you take the time to read my blog and I dont want it filled with lies and false statements.

Thanks for reading my rant

Ems xo

FOTD - Lady Gaga Esq Look - Even the MUA's get it wrong!

 My best friend George came around today and he wanted me to do a 'Lady Gaga Esq' look. Now, I have a pretty good camera, but, why is it that makeup always look so much better in person than when you put it on film? Due to this reason, I may have to revisit this look because I am not happy with the final product at all!

The wonderful no make-up shot :)

Brushes used From Left to Right:

Royal and Lagnickle C401

OCC Angle Brush #009

Benefit Angled Liner Brush

OCC Large Powder Brush #001

E.L.F Foundation Brush

Smashbox Crease Brush #10

OCC Foudation Brush #002

I started with the eyes, creating the line with the Loreal Studio Secrets Pencil in 590 Black. Once I was happy with the shape, I applied the same liner all over the lid and, then, patted in Urban Decay's Oil Slick using Brush C401. Once I was happy with the eyeshape and colour, I applied concealer from Yaby, in shade Vanilla (cc013), using the E.L.F brush and Sephora Tinted Moisuriser in Medium 26 Peach, using OCC #002 Brush. (I will do another blog about why I use this Foundation choice)

 

 

 I applied Benefit eyebrow wax from the Smokin' Eye Palette and Smashbox Bionic Mascara, in Jet Black, to the upper and lower lashes. I then set the skin with Yaby Loose Setting Powder using OCC #001 Brush. Using the Smashbox crease brush, I applied PF091 from the Yaby Finishing Touch palette, to contour my cheeks and then using the same brush and palette, I applied PF089, as a highlighter. I took the OCC #001 Brush again and blended the highlighter and bronzer and then applied Yaby Blush in BL022. I finished the look by applying OCC Liptar in Divine using my finger.

And here you have the finished look which failed hugely :(

Flash

Natural Lighting

Eye Close-up (awful roots with my greyness haha)

I am such a perfectionist I will nail this look even if I have to use a model!

Where to purchase:

OCC from: OCC, The Make-up Artist Boutique and Love Makeup

Yaby from: Yaby Cosmetics, The Make-up Artist Boutique and Love Makeup

Smashbox from: Smashbox and Debenhams

Loreal Studio Secrets: Boots and Superdrug

Benefit from: Benefit and Debenhams

Urban Decay from: Urban Decay, Boots and Debenhams

Sephora: Sephora only

E.L.F: E.L.F only

Royal and Langnickle: Royal and Langnickle and Cocktail Cosmetics

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics The Garden Collection for Spring/Summer 2012 - Liptars

As you all saw from my previous blog post OCC are gearing up for the release of their anticipated 2012 Spring/Summer Collection - The Garden Collection launching on March 16th, 2012!

The lovely people over at OCC have provided me with the new Liptar information and I must say they do look completely scrummy. OCC describe this collection as "This Collection is inspired by Psychotropic and poisonous plants. These shades are meant to be paired with a dizzying flash of color on the eyes"

So, without any further ado I give you the new Liptars from The Garden Collection priced at $14.00 and available from 16th March 2012:

 L-R: CHLOROPHYLL, BELLADONNA, OPHELIA

 L-R: BABY WOODROSE, KAVA KAVA, PENNYROYAL

LIP TAR: ($14.00 USD)

BABY WOODROSE - True Rose Pink

BELLADONNA - Vivid Ultraviolet

CHLOROPHYLL - True Teal (match for Chlorophyll Nail Lacquer)

KAVA KAVA - True Peach Neutral

OPHELIA - Pink-Tinged Lavender

PENNYROYAL - Tea Leaf Brown  

New OCC Swatches from Temptalia

The amazing Temptalia has unveiled the new OCC Nail and Loose Colour Concentrate so take a wonder over to view The Garden Collection OCC's Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Illamasqua's Updated Site - Make Up Shopping Will Never Be The Same!

I took a strole over to the Illamasqua site today to find a beautiful new Home page

The Home page is crisp and showcase's the amazing artistry that is behind the brand!

As I delved further into the new site I came across their new feature Moving Swatch. The Moving Swatch feature is only available on the Lips and Pigment section but I hope it will be rolled out across the entire site.

The new feature shows a model putting on the lipstick or swatching the pigment onto their hands to give you a real life view of what the colour looks like.

This new function could quite possibly change the way we shop for cosmetics online because we will no longer need to travel to the store to check that the colour is what we are looking for as, its right in front of us.

Lets hope that other online beauty stores take note!

Ems

Fantastic Beauty deals on BuyaPower

I personally love BuyaPowa I have purchased a few things from there A Touche Eclait and a Benefit Palette. Their service is amazing and everything that arrives is always beautifully wrapped and each item I have ordered has been delievered within 2 working days.

So, the next few weeks see some amazing Beauty deals from BuyPowa these have all been chosen by fellow Beauty Bloggers

Already Live Co-buys:

Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eyeshadow:

• Asphyxia   (pinky iridescent purple)
• Baked   (bronze)
• Binge   (deep metallic blue)
• Bourbon   (medium brown with sparkle)
• Corrupt   (dark metallic brown with silver glitter)
• Electric   (bright blue)
• Midnight Cowboy   (beige sparkle)
• Mildew   (deep mossy green)
• Perversion   (blackest carbon black)
• Ransom   (bright purple)
• Rockstar   (deep reddish purple)
• Stash   (mossy gold-green)
• Stray Dog   (shimmering taupe brown)
• Uzi   (sparkling gunmetal gray)
• Zero   (black) 

Illamasqua Cream Blusher - Promise:

• Bold blue-toned pink
• Gives a lovely flush of baby pink to the cheeks
• Brightens up the skin without any shimmer
• Highlight your cheekbones
• Shape your face
• Build and blend with fingers or a brush
• Use over foundation for impact or under for a captivating glow

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse:

• 120ml
• Super-lightweight
• Easy-to-apply
• Ultra-even all-over tan
• Dries in just 60 seconds
• Infused with conditioning aloe vera

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish - Paradoxal:

• 13ml high gloss, quick drying nail polish
• Beautiful dusky mauve with a visible purple shimmer
• Ergonomically designed bottle for ease of application

 

Upcoming Co-Buys

Shu Uemura False Eyelashes 07 Smoky Layers

NARS Gina Blush

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick - Peach Passion #13

Illamasqua Pigments Trio - Ore, Furore, Android

Estee Lauder Crystal Baby Lipstick

Too Faced Natural Radiance Face Palette 

They're Real! Mascara By Benefit

Benefit The POREfessional Primer

Smashbox Softbox Nude Eye Palette

Benefit Watts Up! Highlighter 

Benefit Coralista Blush

Benefit Confessions Of A Concealaholic Kit

Neal's Yard Eye & Lip Serum

Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation - 20 Watts

Jemma Kidd Essentials Palette

Golden Silk Camelia Oil

Macadamia Travel Set

NARS Pago Pago Lipstick

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment

MAC 'Five Minute Face' Set

Origins Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask

Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - Chance

Clinique RepairWear Laser Focus Serum 30

MeMeMe Summer Chic Mini Nail Collection 

M.A.C Cremeblend Blush So Sweet So Easy

YSL Ombres 5 Lumieres No.13

Estee Lauder Stay In Place Shadowcreme - Mochachino

Retinol Eye Gel 

MAC Eyeshadow Bundle - For Everyday Eyes 

MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush

By Terry Lip Expert (Crazy Nude)

Pixi Succulent Lip Twin - Pink Peony

Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Face & Neck Creme

Givenchy Mister Radiant Made-To-Measure Glow

 You can find all upcoming Co-buy information here: http://www.buyapowa.com/cobuys

                                 

Where have I been?

SO, I have been away for sometime as I am sure all of you have noticed.

The last year has been rather difficult I am no longer working with Kathy (Mum) at The Make-up Artist Boutique or doing Make-up Artisty as a career why? Well its a long story but I will shorten it down for you.

In 2003 I was in a car crash as some of you may already know and I damaged my back pretty badly since then I have been fighting with GP's and Consultants to find out what is wrong with me. Early last year my back got so bad that I could not walk unaided and due to previous diagnosis of the issue being "All in my head" I have had to fight to get attention.

I finally saw an amazing consultant in September who finally referred me for an MRI (never had one of these before only an xray on the night of the accident) and it was finally discovered that for 8 years I have been walking around with a very large slipped disk. The disk is pressing on all the spinal nerves and causing pain all down both legs.

What can be done? Nothing is the short answer! The disk that has slipped is the final disk its so large and because of its location and some other factors having an op would quite likely leave me paralysed from the waist down. I am now stuck taking very strong medication which doesnt fully take the pain away but it does mean my quality of life is much better.

I am now going to focus on getting the blog back up and running, starting a youtube channel and continuing with my clay work which you can view here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AMillionLilPieces I started making these back in December because the boredom of doing nothing was driving me insane. The clay work has helped get my motivation back and I am now pretty focused and I have a list of things I need to start, finish or maintain the blog being one of those things.

I hope all of you will welcome me back and help me out but requesting tutorials etc

I have missed you 

Ems xo