Location, location, location

In my time as a Make-up Artist I've been to some stunning location but a few weeks ago I went to one that top the lot (well for the moment anyway!)

The beautiful Foster house (http://www.beachstudios.co.uk/property/143/foster-house/) is in Kent and is so versatile with so many different buildings and interiors.

Here are some photos of this fab location <3

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

I have now been using this foundation for around one and a half months and I absolutely love it!!!!!

What Illamasqua say about the product -

''Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.''

David Horne, Illamasqua Director of Product Development -

"Skin Base is an innovative formula that doesn't require any outlandish marketing claims. In my 20 years experience as a professional make-up artist, l have tried some fantastic foundation innovations, but nothing compares to Skin Base's winning texture and professional finish - it will leave you staring at your immaculate skin in wonderment."

The coverage is medium and very buildable, it builds really easily too. I use a kabuki brush to buff the foundation in, this gives it a lovely dewy looking airbrush finish. It doesn't feel heavy at all on the skin and it smells very clean, similar smell to other illamasqua products. The foundation retails at £25, which is around the mark for a high end foundation, I do think the foundation will last me over two months, I have been using it for a month and a half and it still doesn't feel empty yet.

As always with Illamasqua the shade range is amazing, going from 1 to 18 it covers nearly every shade. They have even done a helpful shade comparison chart with other brands, so if your ordering it off the Internet you can see which shade is most like your MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars or YSL foundation. Here is the link to the shade chart's

http://www.illamasqua.com/news/122/

With Beauty Balms set to storm the market this year, I think we will see many brands creating them. Beauty Balm's first became popular in Asia and have grown in popularity since. In most of the creams include SPF and whitening ingredients whereas the Illamasqua version doesn't contain either ingredient.

Garnier has created the first high street BB cream, retailing at £9.99 and claiming to 'immediately perfected skin with even tone and boosted glow. Blurs imperfections and smoothes fine lines. SPF15 protection and 24hr hydration.' I haven't tried this one yet but will be purchasing it this week, I cant wait to try this product.

Kate Moss for Rimmel

Kate Moss is to design six lipsticks and a range of eyeshadows for Rimmel, the brand which she has fronted for 10 years. The packaging is rumoured to be black with union jacks and kates signature. There due to hit the shelf in September, Im sure they will be a hit. I cant wait to see the range!

Nail it

Over the last year nail art has become very popular. With lots of different technique's being created from transfers, to nail art pens, gems, crackle effect polish and marbling to name a few.

Nail art has become a firm favourite on the catwalk. Below are a few photos from the S/S 2011 Catwalks.

The likes of Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Katie Perry and Rihanna are making trends in the nail industry.

Wah nails have created some amazing design and have teamed up with nail experts models own to make a nail art pen, so you can create your own designs at home. With branches in around London and Topshop on Oxford Street, hopefully they should be expanding next year I cant wait for there branch to open in Birmingaham! I may have to stop by a London branch before then when Im down there.

Nail Transfers have also become very poplar. Minx are leading the way in salons but you can also pick up Nailsrock from Topshop and ASOS.

With new ideas and nail polish formulas being created all the time, Nail art is here to stay for the for see able future. I can wait to see what will be developed next.

Modern Style Icons

Over the pass few years the likes of Lady Gaga, Katie Perry and more recently Jessie J have played a big influence in fashion, makeup and hair.

Here's some iconic photos of them that I love and that I am very inspired by <3





Gaga in Versace


















Make-up Artist Billy Brasfield has been known for doing many famous Lady Gaga looks.









Katie Perry for GHD- I love these adverts <3





















Katie Perry's ET video - the makeup in this video is amazing! The makeup artist responsible for these amazing creations is Kabuki.
























The genius that is makeup artist Andrew Gallimore created Jessie J's studded lips! He's also known for his runway and editorial looks.

Karin Darnell is also known for doing Jessie J's makeup.


Who do you find inspiring?

Summer colours

Just because the weather isn't like summer at the moment doesn't mean we can't wear some bright colours, so it at least feels abit like summer.

Yellow is a big colour this season. Yellow eyeshadow made a big impact on the S/S 2011 catwalks.
It can be worn all over or in the inner corners of the eyes, this gives it a more wearable look. Mac's new range Surf Baby eyeshadow in sun blonde is a great lighter yellow colour for the eyes.




For a brighter look, Mac eyeshadow in Chrome yellow looks good on most skin tones.



Chanel's must have nail colour for the summer is Mimosa, a bright yellow.



Or if Chanel isn't in the price range try the collection 2000 Sherbet Lemon.



For maybe the more adventurous out there Loreal have bought out a yellow lip gloss called Aqua Lemon Tonic. Although yellow in colour it's not that bright when its on and surprisingly wearable on the right skin tones.





Orange has been the in colour for spring but its still sticking around for summer. I bought this beautiful pallet from Nars last week called Mediteranee. These are really wearable colours, I can't wait to use them.







Mac also do a lovely orange lipstick called morange. Looks lovely with a tan.




Be brave and try some colour this summer.

Dip dye

I'm loving the dip dye hair trend that's in at the moment. Brightly coloured dip dyes are very late 90s but the natural tone dip dye brings the technique upto date.

May Favourites

So I have a few Make-up favourite's from last month I would like to share with you -

Mac lip products - I love the vanilla scent of Mac's lip products, a few of my favourites at the moment are;

Pro Longwear lipstick in Overtime, Lovely pink colour and lasts without making your lips dry or cracking. The colour is very similar to Mac lipstick creme cup but it lasts longer on the lips and has more of a semi matte finish.












Vegas Volt lipstick, Fab colour for the summer and on trend too.











Lip conditioners, I like these so much Ive bought all three colours. Perfect for my lips as they tend to get dry if I keep wearing lipsticks. Love all three colours, I mixed them with lipstick too, to give a glossy finish. They also do a clear one.











Urban decay - Naked Pallet, the colours in this pallet are perfect. They can be used to create a natural look to a smokey eye so versatile and blend well. A great buy, just wish there were a few more matte shades in the pallet.











Collection 2000 - Collagen Curl Mascara in Black. I love this mascara, builds much needed volume in my lashes so easily and stays put throughout the day. The brush is great for helping to lift the lashes too.












Benefit - Dallas was always a favorite of mine when I worked on Benefit. I have rediscovered in in the past month and have been using it. Its a great colour for the summer, looks lovely with a tan.
The one thing about the benefit boxed powders I dislike is the packaging, the boxes look so worn after a few months (as you can see from the photo) but the products inside are fab.