Mastering Your Makeup

My review of Glo Minerals/ Glo Therapeutics thanks to Skinlogic!

13:20:00
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My review of some of the Nima Brush Range!

12:02:00
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Physicians Formula Launch!

Hi All!!

So I did it, I finally attended my first press release thanks to the Publicity Loft for inviting me. As soon as I entered the Blogging world, I noticed all these fab events bloggers got to go to, to try out new brands coming to Ireland. I thought this was just amazing, you are one of the first to see and test a brand out so then your followers are also in the know. I like how there were demos on the night so you could see how the products can be used and also how they look, there was a full display stand so you get to see all the products in the range which will be available and also you get to speak to people who have used the products and get honest feedback on them. It's an extremely clever way to get your product out there so whoever thought of inviting us bloggers along... Well done you!!!

I had been in touch with both Emily and Amy from the Publicity Loft through twitter and emails and was delighted to be added to their bloggers list. With all of the lessons I have attended, you come out with shopping lists of things you like so it can be difficult to afford it all, this is one great thing about linking in with other bloggers, they review products so well that you really get a feel whether a product is value for money and this is something I will try my best to do well for my own readers.

Physicians Formula is an American brand of makeup and sells so well over there. At the launch I was told for every two bronzers sold, one of them will be Physicians Formula, that's a pretty statistic to have about your makeup brand. Anyone who has tried it has told me only positive remarks since I posted a picture of the stand onto my Facebook Blog Page.

"It all began with a gift of love. He was an eminent allergist. She had sensitive skin. When Dr. Frank Crandall created a unique line of cosmetics for his wife, he changed the fact of cosmetics."

So on the night of the launch I met up with Sinead from The Beautiful Truth (check out her brand new website and vote for her in the company magazine blog awards) and we went into the Morrison Hotel where the launch was being held. The room was fantastic, loads of jellies on the tables, Ben & Jerry's tubs, champagne and punch it was fabulous.

I spent most of the time chatting with other bloggers such as Beth from Beth Young Makeup and finally got to meet Sam from All the buzz as well as the fabulously funny duo Zoe and Rachel... so all in all it was a great network of people to meet and chat about the new range with.

One thing I am really excited for with this brand is the pricing, all products are going to retail from €10-€20 but for products such as eye liners, they will come in a trio pack which makes them such good value for money. I don't have a direct price list but we can assume this range will match the likes of Revlon and Max Factor price wise and the quality is impeccable.

I was treated to three products in my 'goody bag' going home and I have really enjoyed trying them out.

So first up is.... the 'Sexy Booster Lip Gloss', check out the packaging on this bad boy!!!

This red is totally my colour, such an amazing stain on the lip it's beautiful. It smells like Vanilla and feels so silky on the lips. Although it is a gloss you don't get that 'sticky' feeling that you worry your hair will stick to your face but you know what this Irish weather is like, maybe keep your hair up when you wanna wear such a dramatic colour if it is too windy out.

The second product I was given to try is the 'Super BB Powder'

This product comes as part of a BB set you can buy which includes a BB Cream, A BB Concealer and a BB Powder. The powder I received has a beautiful finish on the skin. I really liked how it sat on top of my lighter foundation giving me a flawless finish. I also like the scent of the product, the fact that it doesn't overly have a scent at all suits me perfectly, I am not a huge fan of very scented face products as I feel each time you add another fragranced product it all becomes a bit of a concoction. Another feature of this product which I like is the packaing, the same with my bronzer, each powder comes with a brush and a mirror on the base. I much rather a brush than a sponge as they are easier to clean and take with you on the go. I will be looking to buy the entire BB range when it comes out as I think it will be perfect on my skin throughout the summer months.

The third product I was treated to is just wonderful, it's the 'Bronze Booster Season to Season'

After hearing so much about the bronzers at the event, I was delighted to have received one to try and review and I am not disappointed at all. I received this product in the light to medium shade even the darkest colour on this is perfect for when I have loads of tan on, I wouldn't need it darker at all.
This is a multi-coloured bronzing powder which provides an instant and lasting tan-like boost that blends and builds easily to your desired level of bronzing. That is a basic descrption from the website and I would completely agree. I really like in palettes like this to blend the colours together but with four to choose from, you can use whichever one you like to build up your glow. I wouldn't advise you to use this as a contour just pointing that out here as there is a shimmer in each of the colours but you can add that radiant glow along your collar bone as well as to your face when hopefully the sunny weather hits Ireland.

Here is another stat from the Physicians Formula Website:
"We never allow any of the 100+ known skin irritants into anything we make.Allergists,dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons recommend Physicians Formula products." (http://www.physiciansformula.com)

Here is a look where I had all three products on, the finish from the BB Powder was lovely as was the glow from the bronzer. This picture was taken using my Samsung S4 in Beauty Mode

I really am excited for this range to launch in Ireland come June first. I really think it's going to do so well over there as I said before with great products and an accessible pricepoint keep your eyes peeled in pharmacies nationwide for the launch and again if I hear any more information in relation to this I will be sure to keep you all posted.

The fact that there are no harmful chemicals in these products, they are made with making women feel sexy and fabulous is a huge selling boost for me. I like the packaging and the size of what you get for what you pay is perfect.

Also you can check out Physicians Formula on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhysiciansFormula
And Twitter: @PhysiciansFIRL @PFCosmetics

Have a wonderful week ladies!

Emma x

18:35:00
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Waverley Academy- Our Bridal Tutorial

Heya

So last week was a wedded bliss in Waverley Academy….Yep that’s right it was all talk of veil lengths, fascinators and who would be bridesmaid, Ok so not exactly but we did discuss a rather beautiful ice-cream man and I'm fairly sure two of my classmates are going to marry him! The reality of the class was we started looking at the Bridal makeup element!

Tanya had invited her friend along who works for Estee Lauder in Boots to talk us through some of their range and upcoming products. I am a big lover of the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation and Tanya herself swears by the Double Wear Light for her bridal looks so it was good to hear about what’s coming out next. They can be quite expensive but I certainly feel the foundation is worth the investment. It usually retails around €36 a bottle.

So what I have decided to do for you for today’s post is to do a step by step guide on what Tanya used to create the classic bridal look on her friend and then tonight in class we will be doing a practical so I can add a short post full of pictures of the classes work.

So to begin the bridal look Tanya applied:

*When you meet your bride she should only have moisturiser on and this should be on since earlier that morning.*

· Primer- Smashbox Photofinish (The clear one)
Corrective Cream/Concealer- Only where needed and this can be any brand suited to your client, I like the AYU palette at the moment.
· Eye Primer- you can use foundation or a base such as the Urban Decay Potion.

*you can begin with the eyes on the bridal look to keep the face clear*

· Apply a matte cream shadow all over the eye.
· Add a light brown matte all over the lid and then blend up as far as the crease.
· Add a medium brown matte from the outer corner half way in and blend again into crease.
· Finally add your darkest brown to the outside edge in a ‘V’ shape and blend into crease.

*A bridal look should be fresh and natural unless otherwise requested so it’s not a ‘smoked’ look you are going for so keep your shadows light and not too high on the eye.*

One of Tanya’s fave products is the MAC vanilla pigment and she applied this on the brow bone and into the inner corner to really brighten the eye.
· Apply a gel liner only along the lash line to your bridal look.
· Apply the foundation ‘Double Wear Light’ onto the face with a flat brush and then buff out with a du0 fibre to give a real fresh flawless look.

*Tanya explained to us that you wouldn't always apply a loose powder all over the face of a bride unless she was very oily. She does advise brides to invest in the MAC blot sheets if needed throughout the day.*

· You don’t need to contour with a bride but to give the face some warmth Tanya used the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Palette which I have myself and it is a beautiful product.
· For Blush, Tanya used a Rimmel (believe it or not) blush in colour Santa Rose which is now on my shopping list as it is so nice on the apple of the cheeks.
· To highlight the cheekbone Tanya then applied Benefit Hot Momma Highlighter.
· Mascara for bridal makeup must always be waterproof you need to remember that and Tanya likes to use the Maybelline Waterproof Mascara.
· Lips on a bridal look should be natural and the bride can sometimes decide on a more pink lip on the day. Tanya likes to use MAC Viva Glam 2 and a clear gloss over it but be careful with gloss depending on the headpiece your bride is wearing.

So that’s the rundown of creating a natural/classic bridal look, of course not all brides are the same at all and a vintage look is very much on trend at the minute so you can be surprised with some of the requests you will get from brides.

I really enjoyed watching Tanya work and it was lovely to see the look because let’s face it, it’s one of the biggest days of your life and if you're anything like me I will pose from the minute I have my makeup on until I get to bed so you want to be sure you are looking your best.

Apologies for this post being so late, I am away with the fairies with all these bank holiday weekends so I will post some of our bridal looks for you all after tonight’s class and hope you like them.