Makeup Workshop Save The Date

Screen Shot 2014-07-07 at 7.49.35 pmI am super excited to announce an upcoming collaboration & makeup workshop with Blog Society and Eat Read Love details to follow real soon for now: Save the Date! 9th of August 2014. I will keep you up to date! It's been something I wanted to realize for some time. I always get asked so many questions from brides, friends, other creatives I get to meet... time has come to answer them. And show all of you some tricks, techniques & tools of my trade. We are busy in getting everything organized to make sure everyone will have the best time and hopefully will get to learn a lot about makeup! If that sounds like it's right up your alley, save that date.

Going For Gold

Sparkly, metallic, shimmery or matte... I am in love with gold tones for makeup.Blame it on the abundance of gorgeous autumn leaves behind my house...but I can't get enough of this look. So I thought I share my pro beauty tips on how to achieve this look:

From a sweep of golden shimmer to flashes of bold gold applied to the inner corners the eyes for an enhancing effect, this trend is the epitome of romantic and translates beautifully for an ethereal bride! A good quality shimmer can also be mixed in with your lotion, to enhance collarbones or shoulders. It's best to be applied with a good quality dome shaped makeup brush.

In the evening cheekbones, cupids-bow & bridge of the nose can be highlighted the same way sweeping the smallest amount along those areas with a dome shaped or contouring brush. It's important to keep glitter as an accent and to avoid too much all over use, to keep it elegant and timeless. Golden shimmer suits all complexions, although I recommend warmer deep gold and coppers for dark skin tones and light soft honey golds for fair skin, rose gold can also work wonders on fair skin too. It's good to test a little swatch of colour on your cheek to see which hue works best with your skin tone. Please refer to the inspiration images for ideas of how to have a play with the new gold makeup products. I love soft washes all over the lid, as well as more graphic statements.

A full lash line compliments the eye and the softness of this style perfectly, using several coats of a voloumizing and lengthening mascara, carefully brushed out to achieve a natural looking fullness and separation. For your wedding day I recommend using a water resistant formula. The eyes will best be finished of with a very soft and natural brow, only filled in with a light powder, were necessary. A good helper to hold them in place is stroke of clear brow-gel. The lips can be left nude or soft pink for a soft look or add a deep red lip for more drama and evening looks.

I love how this looks is catchy and captivating, yet subtle enough to work for brides too. It perfectly translates from day to evening, which makes it super wearable too.

imagesProducts to achieve this Look: Jane Iredale "24- Karat Gold Dust" in "Gold" a luxurious multi purpose shimmer with 24 karat gold content.

Jane Iredale "Double Dazzle" Dual-ended soft crayon pencil ideal for use as an eye liner or highlighter. Two tones, deep gold and coppery red gold, to achieve brighten, lighten, and lifted look.

Jane Iredale "Dome" Makeup Brush (amazing quality ultra soft professional makeup brush)

All Jane Iredale products are suitable for a sensitve skin are cruelty free and have skincare benefits! As a professional makeup artist, I like to mix and match different brands. Over the years I had the chance to work with all sorts of different brands and I carefully select those that deliver the best results and are consistent in their quality. My professional makeup kit includes for example Chanel, Nars, Hourglass, Chantecaille, Make Up Forever, Laura Mercier, Stila, Shu Uemura, Mac... I only work with the most sought after international luxury and professional brands.

All images via Pinterest source unknown

Summer Glow for Sensitive Skins

yb01 Lately I had clients with extremely sensitive skin, not just the usual sensitive skin, that most Ladies like to claim for themselves, but the kind that actually has severe allergies, redness, dryness, eczema, dermatitis...you name it! It always a challenge to find products that work for those skin types and while every skin is different and no one (not even a dermatologist) knows what works and what doesn't it's a real trial and error for those people. Generally it's a good idea to stay away from heavily fragranced products, strong essential oils (although all natural they are usually too potent for sensitive skin) and most very active ingredients.

A lifesaver a thermal water sprays and really basic products. One I have been counting on a lot is the Mineral Primer by Youngblood, which works a treat in nourishing, protecting and preparing the skin for makeup application. A simple great quality product. As a staple in my kit, I was curious about trying more from this range and to see how these cruelty free, vegan and mineral products are holding up against the other Luxury and professional makeup brands, I usually use. As a professional makeup artist, I never stick to a single brand, but rather choose and pick the best products of each luxury or professional brands. Every brand has their strengths and weaknesses and so my kit included a huge variety of great international products from Chanel, over Nars, Hourglass, Laura Mercier, YSL, Urban Decay, Make Up Forever, Chantecaille, By Terry, Shu Uemura, to all natural cosmetics like Jane Irdale and Youngblood to suit all clients different needs and preferences that suit their skin and the occasion.

I created a wearable look for this time of year, when most girls have gotten a nice tan over the Summer months, but the wardrobe will change soon to deeper colours and evening looks will make their come back. Late Summer is my favourite time of year, and I wish it would last forever. At least this makeup look will last and last and last, while being gentle and kind to your skin. In fact the makeup products are pretty much perfect for humid weather and hot temperatures.

All products used were supplied by Youngblood and here is how to achieve the look: SIMPLE STEPS!

SKIN: Prime with Mineral Primer! Use a lightweight tinted moisturizer or just concealer where needed you want the skin to look as natural as possible Highlighting bronzer in Mineral Radiance in "SUNDANCE" on the highest points of your face, apply with a big fluffy brush for natural finish CHEEK: Add cream blush to Cheeks works best with fingers and gently pressed into the skin I used Luminous Creme Blush in Pink Cashmere. EYES: Use rosegold, as base colour, pale pink as highlight and chocolate to define the eye all in the gorgeous quad "ETERNITY", super easy to blend. To add an unexpected edge to all the warm colours use a cool grey liquid liner from the inner corner starting fine and flicking outwards to, which lasts and lasts and lasts, all summer night long! It's softer than black yest gives definition and shape while being more natural looking than the usual black vintage flick. Lips: Cranberry coloured creamy gorgeousness is the lipstick Kranberry which goes on like a lip balm but has lots of pigment for a real red lip look which transforms this summery beachy look into a cocktail time summer night style! Finish the face for a flawless and lasting look with "Hi-Definition" Hydrating Mineral Powder, which has a cooling effect and is really perfect for hot summer evenings.

My skin loved all this products and didn't make me break out or cause any reactions. However everyone is different, if you are sensitive Try Before You Buy. I found the quality and texture of the products outstanding, they feel truly good on the skin and I would recommend them as natural addition to your makeup bag, you can achieve professional results! Perfect for your day to day makeup.

7 makeup tricks for new Mum's!

Screen Shot 2013-09-25 at 12.20.51 PM The gorgeous Trishie from Under Lock And Key Blog invited my to share some makeup tips over at her lovely blog, while she prepared herself for the birth of her 1st baby. Little Alexander is a happy healthy and handsome little fellow it seems, and he was just featured here too. Check out her blog for generally wonderful inspiration, baby things, food, design and my makeup tips for young Mum's. Thanks again Trishie for having me! And Congrats to your all new little family.

Gloss Is Back~ Peachy Keen Lips

52140478c9d3eGloss is back and while I love matte lip colours nothing get's me more into Spring mood than a peachy shiny lip. I just created a peachy keen lip look for The Lane! Check out my favorite product pick's and tips on how to achieve the look. I can't wait for Spring to arrive in Sydney and am feeling the busy season ahead already.

I hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment if you have any questions regarding the look or the products.