NYE Sparkle

If there is one time of year that it is unexcusable not to wear a glittery top then New Years Eve is the time and place. I picked this up a couple of weeks ago after deciding on the spot that it would be worn and danced in on NYE. Saying that I am not the hugest fan of said day but if spent with friends and a glass of wine in my hand then it is set to be a pretty good evening, New Years Eve or not. It's a comfortable one to wear with a pair of high waisted black jeans or dressed up a bit with a high waisted skirt.

 Enjoy the last day of 2014!

Topshop Lurex Crop Top

Daily Makeup :: Lazy Day Edit

Estee Lauder DayWear Tinted Moisturiser / Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque / Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in Light / MAC MSF in Light Plus / MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling / MUA Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tint in A Girl Like Me / Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara (not pictured)

makeup inspiration :: Burberry 2014

Festive.

Happy Christmas!

Add Some Sparkle

For those of us who are wary of piling on the glitter over the festive period I have discovered the perfect alternative which is easy to do and not so blindingly obvious that you're wearing a tonne of glitter on your face. By using a glitter eye shadow and placing it in the inner corners of the eyes it looks pretty, festive and simple. I have personally been using MAC 'Idol Eyes' but any glitter based shadow is perfectly acceptable.

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Idol Eyes'

makeup inspiration :: Lucia Pica

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I was flicking through the pages of the latest i-D magazine recently, one of my absolute favourites as the pages are bursting with creativity. One spread that really caught my eye were the five initial pictures you can see on this post which was follwed by an article on the makeup artist who had created these looks. When I saw the looks I couldn't help but think that they were amazing works of art. I love the different colours, shapes and definitions that are all brought in to achieve the finished look. The makeup artist I found was called Lucia Pica and as soon as I got home I went straight on to finding more of her work. I view her work as not just makeup, but art. On reading the article following the spread in i-D I discovered that she trained at the same makeup school which I have just finished training at myself which gave me a sense of confidence. If I am able to reach the stage of these photos then I will be extremely proud. It also shows that it is possible, albeit with a lot of hard work.

If I ever did get the chance to work with/for Lucia Pica that would be truly amazing but for now I'll stick to aspiring towards the beauty that she has created.

Simple, Matte Eye :: inspiration from the London Underground

I'm spending a lot of my time on public transport these days, in particular the London underground. One of my favourite things about it is that there is such a wide variety of people that you pass on a day to day basis. About this time last week I was sitting on the tube pretty close to my destination when a girl got on and sat on one of the chairs opposite me. I tend to notice people's makeup and hers stood out to me for the pure simplicity of it.  She had a light matte colour across her lid and a slightly darker shade in the crease and it looked really great. It really made me want to wear that kind of look, one that is normally forgotten about or overlooked in my books. So the next day I did exactly that using the shades W.O.S and Naked 2 from my Naked Basics Palette. 

there's inspiration naround you all the time, you just have to make sure you're looking

One Year On..

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One year ago today I made a decision which I am so proud of, I left university. I had been there for a term, I was miserable and doing something I had no inclination to finish.  I couldn't view myself 3 years into the future accepting a degree and being remotely proud. It just isn't something that I viewed as important for me. So without any plan and just a week before Christmas 2013 I withdrew my place. As you can expect last Christmas and the beginning of this year was not a happy time for me. I was lost and for the first time in my life I had no direction.

About the middle of January this year, at the same time I was applying to any job that would take me, I told my mum that I wanted to look into makeup school. Creativity is such an important part of who I am and I had neglected that for too long. Somehow amongst all the waitressing jobs I was applying for I managed to get a job as a hair assistant at a nearby hair salon. It was only 3 or 4 days a week but I was working in the right kind of environment. I was finally surrounded by like-minded creative people who I felt like I could relate to. I learnt to wash hair, take out highlights and tints, different styles of cutting, varieties of hair ups and it only reinforced that this was what I wanted to pursue. I learned so much in my 6 months there and I can honestly say that my time there saved me from a very negative place. I will be forever thankful for my time there and all the people I worked with I am still able to call my friends.

After saying at the beginning of the year that I would start the makeup course at the start of 2015 I could sense that I was ready half way through the year. On the 8th September I started the TV, Film and Theatre course at Greasepaint and I finish the most amazing 3 months tomorrow. I have loved every second I have spent at Greasepaint and am so thankful for my training there.

One year on I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.  I love that I am able to pursue hair and makeup as my career. The future is uncertain but that's ok.

The Mid-Length Chop

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The start of June this year I had had enough of my long hair which to be honest was not in it's greatest shape. I didn't like the layers that had been cut in a few years ago and it always looked a bit straggly at the ends. I also felt like I wanted a change, there had been a significant change in my life and a new 'do was needed. So to signify the end of my formal academic education I chopped my hair off and I have not regretted it for a second since. It went from about bust length to just below my collarbone, given that my hair has a natural curl to it so does appear slightly shorter. It was so refreshing not to have the extra length and it is so easy to manage. As strange as it sounds it also felt like I could move on to the next stage of my life. It's amazing how much a hair cut can change your perspective on things and I would recommend it to anyone considering it out there. It is worth it! And even if you're not so keen, hair does grow.

Makeup Inspiration from Pinterest

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'Tis The Season Of Glitter

The month of December is the month for wearing as much glitter as you can. However if, like me, you aren't one to stand out from the crowd and prefer a much more subtle display then nail varnish is the way to go. Like many in the winter months my wardrobe is pretty monochrome so sprucing up your nails with a glittery topcoat on all nails or just one as an accent nail is the way to go. I won't lie to you I spent about 5 minutes standing in front of the Essie counter trying to figure out which of the four glitter shades Essie have released this year to purchase. As you can see I went for the deep gold version. So far I have only used it over darker colours on on my ring fingers as an accent colour but as the weeks go by and Christmas gets closer I'm sure I won't be able to resist and glitter will be everywhere. For if not at Christmas time then when can you? I am dangerously close to purchasing the silver alternative to balance my options out, I'll keep you posted.

Essie 'Summit of Style'

Christmas Wishlist + festive thoughts

 

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Terre Neuve / TomTom / Toast Hanna Sweater in Royal Blue / Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer in Light 01 / Bobbi Brown Cool Eye Palette / Toast Donegal Ribbed Scarf / The Wet Brush / Babyliss Hot Rollers

Now that it is officially the month of Christmas I think the most appropriate way to start off the month is by sharing my Christmas wishlist. The build up to Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year and I think makes the month of December truly special. This is what I have put on my wishlist this year, some practical and some are for the inner beauty fiend in me. I do not expect to receive all of these things but a guideline is always requested each year and these are the finalists.

I'm starting to think about all the festive things that I am looking forward to this month. Of course a chocolate advent calendar is mandatory in my eyes and the sole reason why it is somewhat easier to get out of bed on these dark, dark mornings. I finish my course on the 19th and then I fully intend on spending my two weeks off enjoying the christmas spirit properly as I feel I missed out last year due to circumstances. A trip to Bills for afternoon tea with my friend who is turning 20 in the next week is on the cards as well as a major shopping session and ice skating in London the week between Christmas and New Year.  I have two secret santas to sort out and lots of seeing friends who will be returning from uni over the next few weeks! This December is going to be a good one.