Good make-up starts with the right base being used beforehand, e.g, there is no point putting makeup on bare skin if you have dry skin and are using an oil free foundation.  You need to be aware of what skin type you are, or how your skin is looking, feeling and behaving, the time of the year, the occasion you want the make-up for, then you can make the decision about how to treat it, what to use skincare wise and then use the correct foundation and other products to suit.

When packing up my kit for a wedding or a shoot, I have to have a selection of products in my kit that cater for all types of skin.  Ranging from sensitive, to dry to oily, or a combination.  I need products I can trust and I know I can use quickly and are reliable, and also work well with what make-up I am going to use on the top to compliment that model's/client's look.  I also need it to ensure longevity - as often, I am applying make-up for a special occasion or a shoot, so it needs to look its best, for as long as possible.

My absolute favourite has to be my trusty Bobbi Brown vitamin enriched face base - with this product I know it will perform, but if need be, I can also use other products, (e.g, if someone has particularly oily skin, I can use my Ben Nye final seal spray sprayed onto a Beauty Blender with the right foundation and then spray again when I have finished the make-up.  I can use the face base if someone has normal/dry skin and I can also use this product if the client has normal/oily skin.  It is a primer and moisturiser all-in-one so no need for two products, (plus it smells divine.) It is a good all-rounder and preps the skin ready for foundation/concealer, etc and ensures the skin doesn't look shiny, it also ensures longevity of the products, so I always stock up on this - I get through pots of pots!

If someone has very dry/mature skin - then I will opt for another Bobbi Brown product, (depending on the time of the year again and occasion.)  If it is winter and cold and the clients skin is very dry or mature, then I love to use the Moisturising balm SPF 25.  You only need a small amount - warm the product between your fingers and press onto the skin.  Voila - skin looks hydrated and has a lovely dewy, natural glow.  Other suitable products are then applied to compliment this.  This also is available in a tint form - I often use this on myself, particularly in the autumn/winter, it gives me a little bit of colour and is very moisturising.  However, if used all the time, it can block your pores, so ensure you exfoliate thoroughly and cleanse too.

BECCA resurfacing primer - This is a lovely product and one I know I can rely on if someone has fine lines and large pores.  It also ensures longevity of the products.  It has glycerin to hydrate and also absorbs oil to prevent any shine, so perfect for a matte look.  It is very light to use and does not clog pores, great for all skin types but particularly oily - so great if a hot day.

MAC oil control lotion - I often use this on teenagers, (my daughter loved this product.)  It is very lightweight but hydrating but delivers enough reliability to keep you shine free, if desired.  It is also non acnegenic, so I tend to use this on a younger skin, or someone who is prone to blemishes or who has very oily skin.

Max Factor Facefinity all day primer - I am not a fan of using a separate product e.g, a primer and then a moisturiser - a good base should consist of both things - to prime and to moisturise.  However, this is a good product to use under foundation to mattify and to hold the make-up on longer.  It contains micro correctors to keep any shine at bay.  It also contains an SPF 20.  I often use this if someone has normal/slightly oily skin.

This Works In transit skin defence - Great for sensitive skin, I often use this in the summer months.  It also has the benefit of having UVA/UVB broad spectrum sun protection.  It contains hyaluronic acid and calming vitamin E.  It is hydrating so good also for a drier skin.

Embryolisse lait creme concentre - A cult product - I know the Pixiwoo sisters often rave about this product.  It is enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamins.  It is a 3-in-1 lotion.  It nourishes any dry areas and is very light and quickly absorbed.  I like using this on dry/sensitive skins, but it is a good all-rounder too.  It has a velvety finish and "grips" the foundation to ensure longevity.  It can also be used as a cleanser, to remove make-up or even as a face mask!

Bobbi Brown hydrating eye cream - an essential in my kit to ensure the delicate under eye area keeps hydrated and is prepped before foundation and concealer.  Only a small amount is needed.

MAC strobe cream - A great product.  Very moisturising.  I particularly like to use this product if someone has dull skin as it gives it a boost and it luminises it with iridescent particles.  Great to give the skin a bit of radiance. I often mix this product with a foundation too, or even just to pat on the skin on the high points to give a highlight.  It is also non acnegenic.

Cover FX moisturiser - a great product if someone has redness as it reduces this and is hydrating, so great on people suffering with rosacea or high colour, also great for sensitive skins.

Urban decay pore perfector - I love to mix this with another moisturiser to ensure any fine lines or open pores are lessened.  It ensures a matte finish and is non-greasy, great for dry or oily skins.

I love using make-up fixer sprays - I have used in the past MAC prep and prime fix+ and also Make-up Forever mist and fix, but I love using Ben Nye final seal, I think it is far superior.  You can use this to make your make-up water resistant, (drag queens swear by this product so you know you are on to a winner!)  It locks in the make-up when sprayed on at the end, or you can use it to set your foundation sprayed on, or used with a Beauty blender.  By far the best make-up fixer.  Not the best smelling one admittedly, (it smells a bit of mouthwash), but it does work.  It can also sting a little too, (make sure your eyes are closed when spraying and don't get it into your eyes.)  Great for ladies who are perhaps going through the menopause and for use in the summer months.  I also like the Kiko make-up fixer, but tend to always revert back to my trusty Ben Nye.

Thank you for reading x

I have finally got round to telling you what I have been up to since the launch of my new website.  Basically, its been all go with weddings, shoots and make-up lessons.  I have also been busy trying out some new make-up and I am going to be ordering lots of NARS soon as I am now a NARS Pro too, (I am already a Bobbi Brown and MAC Pro.)

With Summer here (ish),I always crave to let my skin breathe after Winter, and to wear less make-up on my skin.  So I have opted for Sisley Self tanning, hydrating facial skincare.  This has worked a treat, (and doesn't smell of biscuits!), it also means I can wear less foundation and it also hydrates my skin, as its always a bit on the dry side.  I like to always take the time to cleanse well every night, (depending on my skin's needs, I like to use either Bioderma solution, No 7 creamy cleanser or Bobbi Brown cleansing oil/balm.)  Once or twice a week I will use Alpha H Liquid gold, this acts to "polish" my skin, (however, I won't use this if I am using a facial tanner, perhaps once a week.)  Moisturiser wise, I love my trusty Bobbi Brown moisturising balm, SPF 25.  (Just to say, I don't believe in spending loads of money on cleansers, as they are not on your face very long! I prefer to spend on moisturisers instead.)

Make-up wise, with me wearing a facial tanner I can use less make-up, (I am usually a deathly shade of pale, with a few blemishes here and there, so I really have to try and even out my skin well cover those pesky spots...not to mention my under eye circles!  Honestly, without make-up I look either ill or exhausted.)

I have been skipping on the foundation, (yippee!), and using Amazing cosmetics concealer, (well 2 - one on my skin and the lighter shade under my eyes.)  I find this is a great concealer, as it doesn't crease and stays on, it also doesn't look shiny.  If I am particularly dark under my eyes I will use a Bobbi Brown corrector first, then apply the lighter shade of concealer on the top.

Brows - I have been trying to go for the fuller brow look, as I was clever enough to tweeze my brows to an inch of their lives when I was at college, (damn you Kate Moss and your Biba look!)  I use a small, slanted brush from Louise Young cosmetics and use an Anastasia Beverley Hills dip brow pomade, to create the illusion of hairs, I then go over with a Diego Dalla Palma brow gel, its amazing and has a dinky little brush too.  I am not a fan of the "Insta brow" look, I mean, who has ombre brows?!! I like to keep make-up real and its all gone a bit too drag don't you agree?!

Eyeshadow wise - I have been using cream eyeshadows, and love the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks.  These are really quick and easy to blend, and usually I use just the one shade.  Next I have been using a MAC Pro long wear pencil along my lash line, (tight lining too), and then creating a slight flick at the outer corners.  I curl my lashes with Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curlers and then apply a Chanel mascara, (usually just to the top lashes, if I am not doing a smoky eye.)  I let each coat dry before adding more.  Lashes are my thing.

Next I apply a Bobbi Brown pot rouge, I love the shade Fresh melon as its really natural and also gives that lovely dewy look, I sometimes set this with a powder blush, (Apricot is nice, again by Bobbi Brown.)  Highlighter next, I love the Bobbi Brown one in Pink glow, Daniel Sandler highlighter or a creamy highlighter from BECCA.

I very rarely use bronzer, but my favourite is either Cover FX or Bobbi Brown, and I'm not a fan of contouring, I prefer to highlight instead.

Lip wise, I always use a lip pencil first, I use a Nude pencil by Rodial, (all over my lips), then I love either Charlotte Tilbury "Bitch perfect" (love the name!), or Tom Ford "Blush Nude."  Sometimes I keep it matte, but if I fancy a bit of a gloss then I use either a MAC dazzle glass gloss or Bobbi Brown in Buff.

Bookings wise - I have bookings every weekend now until October! (I am so rock and roll aren't I.)  So, lots of early nights for me and early starts, but it goes with the job, and it doesn't bother me at all.

I also have been taking bookings up to 2018 now, next year is looking very busy too.  I have taken some very long distance bookings on, its always nice to see different venues.

Please contact me to check availability at your earliest convenience, as I have had to turn away a lot of clients lately, as I am already fully booked.

Thanks for reading.  I am aiming to blog at least once a month, so please bear with me.  Thanks for all of your lovely feedback

(PS, please excuse the selfies, I am not a huge fan, but it does demonstrate what make-up I am using!)

xxx

Bobbi Brown haul