My 2015

Where do I begin? 2015 has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I actually quite hate that expression, but in this case, it is the one needed.

The year started with lots of highs but is now ending unfortunately on a heartbreaking low.

As some of my regular readers may know, my mum was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2013 and I blogged about her treatment and how Revitalash helped her to keep her lashes during chemotherapy. We started the new year in January with great news that her cancer, which was un-curable but treatable, was stable still.

We were so positive for the year ahead and I was able to delve back into work, with her needing little practical support from me. I had the opportunity to work with some very talented people on some incredible shoots and work at London Fashion Week for another year which I loved.
I have travelled more than ever this year too, holidaying in Sharm El Sheikh, Paris and Cyprus with my boyfriend. Being our first full year together I think we did pretty well! These trips have left me with wonderful memories and have definitely been my highlights. Although when I was on my quad bike in the middle of the Egyptian desert, and somehow managed to crash into the only tree out there, I may not have agreed!

Unfortunately the months of July, August and September hold a bunch of much darker memories. My beautiful mummy had a regular CT scan which showed that her hormone tablet had stopped working and that the cancer was starting to spread again.
More chemotherapy was planned but sadly it kept having to be pushed back, as my mum kept becoming very anaemic so it wouldn't have been safe to fill her with deadly chemicals.
Each week there would be a hospital visit, still with the hope to getting her fit enough to continue treatment. But her blood counts were dropping fast even after many transfusions and then her platelets too. She even developed pneumonia which didn't help and she gradually got weaker and weaker.

On September 29th my worst nightmare came true and I lost my best friend.
Since then my life has been a blur of dumbness, anger and sadness.
I have lots of support from my family and friends, and I am trying desperately hard to work through each day and keep going. I know that my mum wanted me to be happy and get on with my life. She was my biggest fan and I want to do her proud. But it doesn't make it any easier.

I am writing this post today, in no way asking for sympathy, but to reflect and almost to help me get my thoughts out. It helps to talk, and type even.
I also have found that reading about other people's experiences with grief, and finding people who are currently in my situation is a big help. Knowing that you are not alone is so important.
So if anyone can take any comfort from myself, it would be worth it.

One thing that I have learnt this year is that life is short. Far too short. My lovely mum was only 56, but I wouldn't swap her for the world. In 2016 I want to:

 * Live life to the fullest, as much as I can.
 * Appreciate the small things everyday that make me smile
 * Nurture the relationships in my life. These are the most important things.
 * Help to raise awareness of breast cancer
 * Raise money for the incredible district nurses and hospices that do such an invaluable job
 * Make my mum proud and keep her alive everyday through myself
 * Start a business
 * Travel lots
 * Stop worrying about what others think

I hope that you all had a wonderful year and Christmas. If you are making any resolutions please make sure that you all appreciate your families more, take the time to visit and speak regularly throughout 2016. You never know when the option will be taken away.

For my mummy: I love and miss you so so much, but I will carry you with me throughout 2016 and every year after.

Lots of love, Jessica x

My mum and I back in happier times in early 2013

A Trip to The New Charlotte Tilbury Boutique

Since seeing the stunning photographs of Charlotte Tilbury's new boutique store in Covent Garden all over social media, I have been dying to pop in. So when my boyfriend mentioned that he would be heading into the West End to meet up with one of his friends, it was the perfect excuse (not that I really need one, but I like to justify!).

Last Friday we got the train into central London and as we stepped through the barriers of Covent Garden tube, there it was. Smack bang in front of me in all its glory.
I have to be honest with you all though, it wasn't everything that I had hoped. I only stayed upstairs to look at the products, as I didn't have an appointment, so I can only give my opinion on this area.
However, I left feeling a little deflated.

Before I go any further I will say that I adore Charlotte Tilbury and her makeup. As you will have read on my blog already, I am in love with her products and use them all the time on myself and also my clients. They are stunning and there is no denying that. So this opinion of mine is no reflection on her range.

I think maybe one of the main factors that I didn't enjoy was how busy it was in there. The upstairs isn't a huge area and it was jam packed full of women all waiting to be served and testing out colours on their hands. This in itself isn't an issue, of course it has only recently opened, and like me, everyone is excited to pop in. But there was an unfriendly vibe from the artists working in there. A guy who looked like a security guard by the door, was having to tell the artists when and who to help, even though they weren't all busy. None of them looked particularly happy either....perhaps they were overwhelmed by the amount of clients!

There was an area where two makeup artists were applying products to customers, right by the till, so everyone was struggling to pay, and their sections were very messy. Again, as an artist myself I know how messy things can get, but it just didn't seem to be getting tidied and was a shame in the glamorous surroundings.

My final observation was that certain parts of the shop, to me, are already starting to look a touch worn. I adore the art deco style of Charlotte's packaging and how her boutique is like stepping back in time, I am a big fan of the 1920's myself. However, the mirrored panelling that surrounds the island makeup counter in the centre of the shop, which open as cupboards to house the stock, was looking quite smeared and not in the best condition.
I might be sounding harsh here, but having worked in salons where I was taught that the attention to detail and customer experience was vital, I found it hard to not notice these things.

The downstairs of the boutique where the makeup appointments happen could be just as beautiful as the photographs show, and I sure hope it is.
Congratulations to Charlotte Tilbury though, as judging by how fast she is growing and how busy the boutique was, business is doing well. Makeup appointments are also getting booked extremely fast, especially with her lead artists.
I just hope that when the initial excitement calms down, the shop continues to stay in the great condition that was first created and that everyone can experience that VIP treatment that Charlotte wants.

Of course I did purchase a few items...had to be done!

Light Wonder Youth-Boosting Perfect Skin Foundation in 2 Fair and Amazing Grace Matte Revolution lipstick

Beauty: My Current Skincare Routine

During the past few weeks the weather in England has been, not surprisingly, extremely indecisive. Switching between central heating and then freezing cold winds all day, can cause havoc on our skin and my skin has definitely been affected. My face has been feeling much drier than usual, so I decided it was time to re-visit my skincare routine. 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, even though I preach the importance of skincare to my makeup clients, I do have the tendency to be naughty myself and use the trusty Simple wipes far too often. The guilt is real, but the struggle is also real when I am half asleep and just want to get into my warm bed!

So I raided the bathroom cabinet and re-discovered a lot of my favourite products to give my skin a moisture boost.

Instead of using my lazy makeup wipes, I have been cleansing my face with the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, which is very gentle and doesn't strip my skin at all. Then I use the lovely Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish with my muslin cloth, to make sure that all of my makeup has been removed, and to soothe my skin. This is such a classic product now but it is a great one and also has a beautiful light scent.

Once I have thoroughly cleansed I have been applying the BioEffect EGF Serum. This is a well-blogged product, but it definitely works and leaves my skin feeling super hydrated and glowing in the morning. It only contains 8 ingredients and can be applied all over the face and neck, including around the eyes, so this is the only product needed. It absorbs easily and gives my skin a well needed boost overnight.

These are my chosen moisturisers for the day, which I apply before my makeup. I featured these in my October Favourites last month, and they have still been top of my list. SBC Collagen I find to be a lighter moisturiser, if I feel like I don't need to go too heavy. It smells super fresh and leaves a slight glow to my cheeks. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief is one of my personal favourites. Similar to the SBC it is a gel, so it soaks into the skin beautifully and leaves it feeling so so soft and smooth.

After completing this ritual of products for a while now, my skin has changed massively and is no longer dry. I have even found myself using less foundation too, as it is brighter and has a more-even tone. So benefits all round!

Let me know if you have any hero products for the winter months...

Beauty: A Sprinkle in Pink by Essie

'A sprinkle in pink'. These few words appeal to me very much. I am a fan of anything pink and also have a magpie eye, so I can spot a sparkle miles off and generally want it for my own!
So naturally, I had to pick up this Essie polish set when I saw it in Boots. I am already an Essie fan, and know that their formulations are great, and these two are no different.

The set consists of 'Fiji' which is a super pretty pale pink, and then 'A Cut Above' is the beautiful multi-dimension top coat. The brush included made painting really easy, covering the whole nail almost in one stroke, and I love how the tip is rounded which mimics the shape of the nail bed. Anything that makes painting easier is a thumbs up from me...especially if it can help make my right hand look better, my left hand does not co-operate often!

The glitter pieces in the top coat are a lovely metallic darker pink, and I really like how there is a variety of sizes, so they catch the light in different ways.
This polish has been on my nails for around 10 days now and it is still looking good, with hardly any chips, so I am happy with the longevity too.

After receiving a few compliments on my nails over the past week, I think this may become my December and Christmas look. I think is is perfect for the upcoming party season and would look stunning on a night out. Also it would be a really cute present for any beauty lovers.

Lifestyle: The No Bra Challenge

How many of you feel the pure bliss when you get home from work and take off your bra? I know there are lots of you that are with me on this one! It is a ritual, along with pulling on those cosy leggings, tying the hair into a topknot and taking off the days jewellery. Am I right girls? It is one of the best feelings!

Now without going into detail, I am not exactly huge up top, but some days there is nothing more uncomfortable than a piece of wire crushing your ribs and straps digging into your shoulders. I am certainly not at the bra-burning level of hatred just yet, however each morning now when I am choosing my outfit, I trial to see whether I can get away with not wearing the dreaded bra.
I can officially report to you girls that it is revolutionary. There have been so many dresses, which tend to be fitted at the top, which I can be free in. It isn't noticeable and has made me very excited.
The best thing about Winter to me is now the baggy jumper, which I am living in. You can totally get away without it!

So I challenge you all, don't just assume every day it is needed, try it without first and have a comfortable day at work. You are welcome.....lol!

Beauty: How To Create The Glossy Lids Look Every Day

Over the past year whilst working and assisting on photo shoots, I have noticed a shift in the beauty world. It has started to become more apparent than ever lately, with lots of top makeup artists starting to tell the consumers about the trend, not just keeping it to themselves in the studios.

This shift has been to use far more cream based products, and far less powder. I have hardly seen artists reaching for the traditional eyeshadow palettes and they don't even seem to lay as many out in their kit at the start of the day.

If you are an avid reader of the likes of Vogue, i-D magazine and InStyle, you may have already noticed glossy lids and greasy, lived in eye makeup for a while. It has also made many an appearance on the catwalk. 

So why are creams in and powders out? I believe it allows much more creativity and it also looks the most like real skin. A textured, glossy or creamy eye photographs beautifully, picking up the light and is three-dimensional. 

We are in an age where we aren't restricted to what we have to look like, there is so much freedom and therefore we should play. Just because a brand markets a product as being for the eyes, cheeks or lips, does not mean that you have to use it solely for this area. 

In my personal opinion, and experience as a makeup artist, having a very matte face and powdery makeup can be ageing too. We are lucky that when we are younger, we have natural oils in our skin keeping it hydrated, and this is a sign of youth. When a woman is pregnant, she gets a 'glow' which is associated with health and beauty. So it does make perfect sense to use products that can mimic these effects.

I understand that not everyone in 'real life' wants to walk around with glossy eyelids everyday! But here are a few ways to incorporate the trend and get more out of your current products:

• Lipsticks make great cream blushers. Using your finger, dab some of your lipstick across your cheek bones and onto the apples of your cheeks. It gives a lovely light flush of dewy colour.
• Turn your eyeliner pencils into your eyeshadow. Draw a thick line across your lash line, and then with a fluffy brush, blend the colour up and over your lid. This will give a natural smokey eye, in a more creamy texture.
• Use your lipstick on your lids too, it gives a pretty sheer colour.
• Wet your powder eyeshadow down and then apply it as usual. It will intensify the colour and even though it will dry matte again, it will have a different look.
• Add a lip balm or gloss over your lids, if you are feeling adventurous, to make the shadow shine.

Don't be afraid to play! I even tried a complete makeup look, only using Bobbi Brown Bare Pink Lipstick. Let me know what you think....

Fashion: Rose Gold Detail Box Bag

Do you think that if I asked Santa for a Chanel Boy bag this year I would get one? I have been really good I promise...pretty please!

This is the dream for me, but until I reach that happy day in my life, I will continue to get excited by just so slightly (or a lot haha) less expensive handbags that I find. I have enough room in my heart for all of you...especially if you are box shaped and have a touch of rose gold. 

Yes, this little beauty was something I found in, yet again, Marks and Spencer. They are just nailing it lately. I was initially drawn to the shape of the bag. I have always loved the box shape and also to have a bag that I can wear cross-body or on a long strap on my shoulder. (This probably comes from the fact that I am often carrying my hair and/or makeup kit around, so need all the free hands possible!)

I have a few of these style bags already but not in black, which is a staple colour I think we all can agree. The mock crocodile skin adds a nice texture which is on trend, as is the rose gold detail. Who doesn't love rose gold at the moment? It is everywhere! I really like the studs down the sides, and the corner protectors. They add a cool tough element, and I think this would look super cute when paired with both a pretty print dress, or jeans and a leather jacket.

Here is the link to this beauty: http://www.marksandspencer.com/faux-leather-mock-crocodile-skin-boxy-shoulder-bag/p/p22403326

Recent Book Binge

When I was little and my mum used to take my older brother and I to the library, I used to be an embarrassment. I really wanted to get involved and choose books, but instead of choosing I was chewing. Yes, you read that correctly, I used to chew and bite my books. Apparently I enjoyed the taste and there were often corners missing!
My mum had to threaten me that unless I stopped eating them that I could no longer take library books out. It's safe to say that this is, luckily, a habit that I gave up.

As I grew up I never really enjoyed reading however...perhaps this was a mental scaring from my past! But when I reached my twenties this changed and even though I would definitely not call myself an avid reader, I have become much more acquainted with the likes of Waterstones and really like delving in.

In fact I have been on quite the book buying binge lately, so I thought that I would share with you what I have chosen to buy...and I promise all of the corners are still in tact!

As you can see the majority of these books are beauty related as, yes, I am obsessed. 

I have been really loving Lisa Eldridge's Face Paint so far. When I trained initially in hair and makeup for film and television, we researched a lot into the different eras and learnt how to create the iconic styles and trends of those times. So it's very cool to now understand where those trends began and how they created their makeup and products back then.

War Paint is actually a book that Lisa Eldridge recommended on her channel, I am yet to start reading, but very excited by this one too.

Beauty Book by Neil's Yard is something great to tap into every now and then. I have become interested in natural ingredients recently and creating your own products, so hopefully I can play around with this idea soon.

#GirlBoss. I am aware that I am very late to the party on this one, but better late than never right?

Starting up my own business would be a dream one day and I love that recently there has been an emphasis on women entrepreneurs and some great content to inspire us to do it.

According to YES is my latest purchase after seeing the lovely Dawn French on Alan Carr Chatty Man the other week. I have already started reading and am so far really loving it. I can really picture what Dawn describes and can feel myself in New York with the characters. It will be interesting to see what mischief occurs throughout.

If you have found any great reads lately or have any recommendations then please let me know! 

My Pink Hair and Bleach London Rose Review

So I finally took the plunge and turned myself into a mermaid....well not quite, but I did get my hair dyed pink! I have filmed a video on my YouTube channel explaining the process and also I give my first impressions on the Bleach London Rose colour that we used.

The change isn't fully completed yet, as I explain, but I am super excited with the result so far and just am obsessed by being pink. In love :)

Check out my video and let me know what you think! x

Winter Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution

The past week I have been trying to step out of my lipstick rut and put my Mac Lovelorn to one side, out of reach. I want to try to be more experimental and as the winter is looming closer, trial some darker shades.

A range which I have really fallen for is Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution. I am already a big fan of top makeup artist Charlotte's products, having been using them for a while on my clients. They photograph beautifully and sit on the skin so well. I have seen a lot of models with makeup bags full of the rose gold packaging too, which FYI is stunning!
The vintage, art deco style cases are really pretty and instantly make the brand look high end. To go along with this the prices are also high, I am aware, at £23 a lipstick, but I do think they are worth it if you are a makeup lover.

I personally usually don't love a matte lipstick as I find them very drying on my lips, and during the winter months I do suffer with chapped lips anyway, so this would be a disaster. However I am so impressed with this formulation. It is super hydrating and also pretty long lasting, which it claims to be. The pigment is also strong so a little goes a long way and it glides onto the lips really easily.
The bullets have a square, angled tip which I have found helps with the application and precision. Let's be honest, we don't always use a brush and certainly aren't all organised enough to carry one around, so this is very useful!
Finally, I just love the shades that they come in. Charlotte has designed 10 colours in the matte, and they are all so flattering with everyone's skin tones. I mentioned in my recent October favourites video the 'Glastonberry' colour which I have been loving. Being so pale I have previously struggled to find a berry shade that suits me, but now I have.
Today I have been wearing 'Bond Girl' which I would never normally buy after swatching, as it is more brown/plum toned, however I had it in my kit and went for it. I must say....I'm a big fan!

Bond Girl 

If you are happy to spend a little more on your products, then I would highly recommend Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution. 

Glastonberry, Bond Girl, Red Carpet Red

Hair Tutorial: Victoria's Secret Angels Inspired Waves

This is my first attempt at a YouTube hair tutorial....so please go easy on me ;)
I created soft, sexy, natural waves inspired by the beautiful Victoria's Secrets Angels. It is super easy to achieve and looks great for the daytime or a night out.
There hopefully will be more videos to come soon. If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to film then let me know in the comments, would be appreciated :)

Oniro by the Sea, Cyprus

This September I was lucky enough to visit Paphos in Cyprus, for a gorgeous end of summer holiday.

What made the trip even luckier was that my boyfriend's mum lives out there, so we got to hear about all the best places to go, away from the tourists. Now I love visiting all the top sites, don't get me wrong, but there is something quite attractive about ordering your food from a menu which isn't covered in pictures of your upcoming food! 

I stayed in Cyprus when I was about 12 on a family holiday, but this was a completely different experience for me this time around. I think as you get older you appreciate little things more, like a fantastic meal and a beautiful setting. Before I left for the airport, my mum told me that Cypriot food was her ultimate favourite, so I was excited to try it out.

One place in particular which stood out to me was a little hidden gem called 'Oniro by the Sea'.

Honestly, this place is beautiful. It is a small, family run restaurant, in a quiet location overlooking the sea and a shipwreck. The building itself looks like a cute little blue beach hut, and you sit on tables which have been placed on decking with a view of the sea.

Whilst we were in Cyprus we visited twice, once for lunch and another for dinner.

The food is simple, but oh so tasty and flavoursome! We had salads for lunch and the dinner was a beast of a meat sharing platter. One thing that I just adored also was my drink.....a mint and apple cooler which was so fresh and thirst quenching on a hot day. 

I would highly recommend stopping by if you are visiting Cyprus any time. One inside tip...if you are going for dinner, arrive about 6pm. It might sound early but it gets very busy because it has the most beautiful view of the sunset each night. Perfect!

Here are a few more of my pictures from Cyprus this year. I am now craving the sun again, so apologies if it gives you the holiday blues too. On the plus side it's almost Christmas right?! ;)

We made this Halloumi salad ourselves in our apartment

The view from our balcony

This isn't the clearest image, but I loved this Missguided dress <3

Marks and Spencer Limited Edition

When I was younger I never thought that these words would leave my lips. But here I am, writing a blog post on my love for Marks and Spencer. Yes, it's really happening.
Growing up, it was a tradition for my mum and I to go into town on a Saturday afternoon and I would always dread reaching Marks as there was nothing in there for me.
It has always been the go-to place for quality underwear, I admit, but the clothes never excited me and were aimed, I believe, to more middle aged women. Even the beauty section wasn't appealing to me.

However over the last year I have been increasingly impressed by the variety and new ranges onto the shop floor. It seemed like the credibility of Marks and Spencer within the younger generation increased a lot when the beautiful Rosie Huntington-Whitely became an associated face and started her own underwear range. This was a great move and got us in the shops more regularly.

Then came last years A/W collection, inspired by the 1960's. I am a big fan of the 60's style which is probably obvious from my winged eyeliner! I thought that there images were really fun and cute, portraying a younger image. It definitely appealed to me and I bought a coat from the range, which I am still loving this year.

When I popped into the food department this week and walked out with not only food, but also 3 items from the limited edition range, I knew that things have changed for good.
Either I am getting much older (scary thought), or Marks and Spencer are collaborating with some great designers.....unfortunately for me the first option is true, but the latter is also.


Here are the Limited Edition items which I picked up without second thought because I loved them all at first sight:

I'm excited to style this items up for winter, and especially think as the coat is a soft off-pink tone, it will look great with my new hair to come soon...exciting! Keep up the good work Marks and Sparks.

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

Today is November 5th, which in England equates to Guy Fawkes Night; or Bonfire night as we mostly call it nowadays. For many people the tradition, and meaning behind it, is not of importance. Our little Island loves any excuse for a celebration and a drink let's admit it.

I personally have lots of lovely memories of going to the local firework displays with my friends. It would be a calendar event, pencilled in for weeks, where we would pre-plan our outfits.... because you never knew who would be there. (I'll add in here that we did go to an all girl's school from 11-16, so a sighting of a boy was pretty exciting back then!) If memory serves me correctly we used to have our planning discussions mainly during textiles lessons where we could get away with it. 

Despite it always being muddy and freezing on the evening, and always having to change last minute from my new boots to a boring pair of wellies (ruining my planned look), we used to have a lot of fun with our sparklers and seeing if we could bag ourselves a sneaky drink too.

This evening however I am curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine and a bag of minstrels, watching Don't Tell the Bride. I have 3 little dogs who tend to be a little frightened of the fireworks, so picture me with the occasional dog climbing up my arm too or sitting on my head!

I won't be missing out on the action entirely though, I have tickets to a big display this Saturday which I'm very much looking forward to. With the promise of there being funfair rides at the event, all I can think about at the moment is candyfloss, I hope they will have some!

Enjoy the fireworks everyone :)

To Pink...Or Not To Pink?

I am no stranger to hair dye, I have been regularly colouring my hair since I was 16, so 10 years now..that makes me feel old! It's been a while now though since I have asked for anything other than my usual blonde shade and I can confirm that I am once again bored. I have turned to my trusty friend Instagram and have not been able to stop searching for pretty hair inspiration. I am addicted.

I have always loved reading Victoria from InTheFrow's blog, and watching her colourful hair choices evolve, so I was extra excited to see Louise aka Sprinkle of Glitter sporting a full on pink look too this last month. My lust started and I want in the gang.

As I told you previously in my Bleach London post I have always had this weakness for fairytale, candy floss hair but I have never totally fulfilled my ideal shade and had it for any length of time.
So my question is shall I brave it and go for pink locks? I must admit I am very tempted and since I am needing a haircut anyway and a colour refresh, maybe, just maybe I shall suggest it to my hairdresser.

I have felt like I need something new in my life lately and a change....plus Coco Chanel did say 'A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life'...perhaps this could work for colour too?

How To Make The Most Of Your Bridal Hair and Makeup Trial

A woman's wedding day is something they have always dreamed about and I have had the pleasure of being involved in so many special days. Something which always helps to keep the morning as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, is making sure that you have previously had a hair and makeup trial. This way you can relax and feel confident in the knowledge that you have everything planned and there will be no surprises!

After doing lots of trials for brides, I have written a list of tips to help you get the best out of your appointment, and a few things to think about, which help us makeup artists/hair stylists too.

Collect Pictures Beforehand

Look through magazines and earmark any looks and styles that you love. A lot of brides-to-be make albums on their phone or Pinterest too. This really helps us as a starting point. There is always room for playing from there, but otherwise with no references the trial becomes a guessing game and can take much longer.
Also any photographs of how you usually look day to day are very helpful, as you won't want to look too dramatically different generally. Visuals are key.

Be Realistic

Following on from the last point, it is very easy to see a picture online and fall head over heels with the hair or makeup....this is the one!
However please try to bear in mind your own hair length,thickness and colour, and also your features, skin type and face shape. These all play a huge part in how the styles will look on you.
Also, lots of images have been airbrushed to unrealistic levels.
There will always be a hairstyle and makeup look that will suit you perfectly and make you look and feel incredible...but that may not be the exact one on the photoshopped model.
Don't be disheartened by this, we aren't magicians but we will try our absolute best to give you the best version of you.

Consider your Dress

When choosing a hairstyle it helps to consider your dress. For example, does it have a very intricate back? If so, you probably won't want to cover it up with your hair....perhaps an up-do would show off your dress better.

Consider your Bling

Similarly again, if you have spent money on a stunning piece for your hair, you want it to be seen.
It will also need to be secure and comfortable all day. Maybe you will need the front section of your hair put up, Kate Middleton style, with some secret backcombing for it to grip to.

Time of Year

Are you having a Summer or a Winter wedding? This may affect your makeup choice. Will you want to look sun-kissed to match your tan, or a spray tan even, or will you be a few shades paler.
Also under this point it's worth thinking about how the weather could affect your makeup and hair.
In the summer, if your hair is down and has been curled it is likely to drop faster due to your body heat and humidity.
Foundation as well will most likely go a little shiny. These things cannot be helped, especially if you have oily skin, but keeping some powder in your bag, or a friend's, can rectify this easily.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when arranging your trial and designing your bridal look.
You will find it, just remember to communicate and see your own beauty......and have fun!

My Everyday Makeup Products

Even though I am a professional makeup artist, I still get up most days and like everyone else I reach for a certain few favourite products time after time. I can be super creative with a new face in front of me and I adore playing around for hours and experimenting. But let's be honest, who has the time to play every morning? I really wish I did!

So I thought I would share with you what these current makeup must-haves are for me:

Skin

I have already posted previously about my love for Make Up Forever's HD Foundation, but our relationship is still going strong. As I said before, I haven't experimented a lot with foundations on myself as I often don't enjoy the feeling on my skin. However I haven't felt the need to change as it suits me perfectly. I would still highly recommend it to anyone and use it a lot on my clients.

I have also now added the Make Up Forever Pro Finish powder to my makeup bag too. This one was on my mum's recommendation and it's been great. It is actually advertised as a powder foundation and has the option of being applied wet or dry to create different looks and coverage. I never apply too much of this, but I find having it in my handbag during the day, it's perfect to get rid of any shine like a normal translucent powder, but it also tops up my base at the same time keeping it even. Multi-purpose!

The final product I use on my skin is the Clinique Cheek Pop in the shade Pink Pop. I have always been a 'pink person' in terms of my preference for blush and this is a really soft pretty colour. It gives you a glow without being too false, although the intensity can be built. The texture of the product is also lovely and feels like satin on your skin.

Eyes

The Naked 3 by Urban Decay is definitely one of my most used palettes. It can create the most subtle wash of natural colour for the day, or a sexy smokey eye for a night out. I know if I have this with me, I'm sorted.

Next to be applied is Benefit's They're Real! Push-up Liner. I am a girl who loves my eyeliner and am very rarely seen without it on. It is also almost always a winged liner, or cat flick, which I chose to wear. This suits my eye shape best I believe and doesn't even need eyeshadow with it to create a statement look. I find Benefit's liner to last absolutely ages in the tube but also all day on my eyes. It is super black in colour too which is great....there's nothing worse than thinking you have bought something black, but it actually looks really feeble and almost grey...yuk!

The final touch is my Mally Instant Impact Mascara. It was my mum again who discovered Mally on QVC one day, and I'm not sure why I love this mascara so much, but I just do. It thickens and lengthens my lashes and is ultra black again. It also never goes clumpy and the wand separates the lashes beautifully. Mally is a total doll too...

Lips

So my finishing touch to my whole everyday look is my MAC Lovelorn lipstick. I have shopped around for many a pink lipstick in my time but this always seems to be my favourite and what I end up reaching for. It is super moisturising on my lips, which I adore, and lasts pretty well too. It isn't too much of a barbie pink either, whilst still being fairly light and bright. I must admit a have a few of these....so one is always in my handbag.

Stylist Live with Lisa Eldridge

Any London girls out there would definitely have heard of Stylist. It is a free, weekly magazine filled with all sorts of lovely things. From beauty, to travel and stories of inspiring business women, it will have something for everyone. I, for one, always pick up a copy when I spot it by the tube station and really enjoy the read. It also holds a slightly special place in my heart, as one of my first shoots as an assistant hair stylist was for this magazine.

Therefore when I heard that they were holding a big, weekend long event at the Business Design Centre I was pretty much already sold. Two words which made me extra excited were...Lisa Eldridge.

Lisa is one of my favourite makeup artists and I have followed her career from very early days when I was much younger. She was a huge inspiration for me to become a makeup artist myself and I love reading her blog and watching her YouTube channel regularly. 

Lisa was at Stylist Live on Saturday, gracing the main stage with beauty journalist Sali Hughes and it was a pleasure to listen to both women speak. They are so knowledgable and passionate, it really shines through and it was fascinating to hear the story behind Lisa's first book FacePaint. 

I also got the chance to meet Lisa and get my copy of the book signed too which was a pleasure. My poor boyfriend, who I had dragged along to the event with me, had to wait in line with me for over half an hour but it was all worth it. Lisa was just as lovely as I had imagined and looked super glamorous. The highlight of our chat was her telling me that she loved my makeup and asking if I had done my eyeliner myself! Major compliment there!

All in all I had a fun afternoon in Islington at the event. There was a free glass of bubbly as we arrived, which lets be honest, is always a good start! Along with lots of very tasty food options, all of the shopping stalls and talks/classes. I would definitely go again next year.....although my boyfriend is probably hoping I take someone else! Well done Stylist.