The Evolution of (my) Eyebrows

I was looking through old photo's the other day, and I caught a glimpse at my 14 year old self.
After going through a mix of emotions some being, shock, nausea, horror, gut wrenching screams of WHY! I finally shouted aloud - "what the hell was I doing to my brows!?"

I closed my eyes and tried to think back all those years ago, I needed to find out exactly how I had murdered my eyebrows. Back to the scene of the crime - like an episode of CSI my mind rewinded back 13 years to my little naive self standing in-front of the bathroom mirror. I now remember it clearly, like it was yesterday. If only I could go back, take my little teenage self's hand and give her some words of wisdom. Ok I'm being slight dramatic, but wait for it.......

There I was looking in the bathroom mirror, my eyes focused on my brows specifically - I don't really know why, but for some reason I had suddenly become fixated on them. "I know.." I thought to myself, "I'll shave them"..... Yes you are reading this right people, SHAVE. My dad's razor was just sat there, staring at me, willing me to use it. The next part is a blur, I don't know if the trauma of what happened has forced the memory to be permanently removed!

Exhibit one...... Like my fringe?

Exhibit two....... Lemon and blue wallpaper, Leonardo DiCaprio on my wall, just smacks of the 90's doesn't it! P.S scousers, I had a Lacoste tracky on aswell, you're not seeing that though, ever!

So as you can see, it was bad. One teacher in school ( my science teacher, I won't mention names) once described them as 'Disgusting' pretty harsh, and thinking back hers weren't much better. But that says alot, a middle aged woman with thinning brows that had zero shape had described mine as disgusting.

Then I started to think about all the other girls who butchered their brows when they were younger, it happens all the time, and I bet now there is a teenage girl somewhere just thinking about over plucking or if shes like me, taking her dads Gillette and saving a bit of time.

It's honestly took my years and years to get my shape back, and even now I hate even plucking them in-between my brow appointments because I'm terrified the old me will pop up and pluck them into a vile late 90's brow. If you over plucked and haven't been able to get your shape back, just leave them for as long as you can (months even) then go and get them professionally done, fake it if you have to! Get them tinted, pencil them in, do whatever it takes. You can do it girls!

These are my brows now, with a bit of TLC and brow powder of course!

Brows have changed throughout the years, but remember this, the brow choices you make now will haunt you forever! Over pluck and they may never grow back, leave them full and natural then when you're old you will be know as, that little old lady with the fabulous brows.

Some examples of the changing brow shapes throughout the decades.

1920s 

1980s

1950s

1990's (the look I was clearly going for!)

2000's

Layer up your lashes!

This is just a little blog to show you all how layering lashes can create a completely different look.

When you think of layering lashes, Katie Price probably pops into your head and her 6 sets of layered lashes or something ridiculous like that - but you don't have to weigh down your eye lids to have fuller, longer lashes!

I wanted to create a Kardashian style longer, thicker lash without the overall heaviness of using a massive thick pair of lashes. As you can see by the above photo I used a wispy shorter & more natural style, then over the top of these I added winged out, longer lashes. This was to create fullness at the base and length on the end.

This is me wearing the first set of lashes, as you can see they add fullness to the base but are a lovely, natural finish - nothing Kardashian style about these. On to the next pair!








So, you have put your first set on as normal, remembering to trim the lashes if the are too wide for your eyes - do exactly the same with the second pair, trim, apply glue and let the glue go tacky, after about 30 seconds they should be ready to apply. Look down while in front of a mirror and carefully place the second pair directly on top of the first pair, making sure to get as close to the lash line as possible.

This is the finished result. Just add a coat of mascara on your bottom and top lashes and a swipe of liquid or gel liner on your top lash line to hide the lashes. As you can see they are longer, full, flirty and NOT heavy at all - using two pairs of light lashes will not only save the weight on your poor eyelids they will be sooo much easier to apply than those thicker lash bands (that I hate!)


Have fun with trying out different styles together, mix and match to find the perfect style for you.






I used Eldora lashes style H135 & H125 

S/S14 Makeup Trends from NYFW

New York Fashion Week S/S14 has just finished, we are barely in our winter coats yet the fashion houses are telling us what to wear next spring/summer!

As always I had my beady eyes on each show, and while I appreciate (and often drool) over the beautiful gowns, shirts and accessories my main focus is all about the new emerging makeup, hair and nail trends.

I won’t give a  rundown of every show, but I will tell you my top spots for new makeup trends for next year.

First up GLITTER! Yes you heard me right, Glitter! (girly squeals)

We saw sparkle from lots of shows this year, my two favourite being Jenny Packham & ICB.

At Jenny Packham Key Makeup Artist Talia Shobrook for Laura Mercier described the look as ‘Combining a flush of innocence with a hint of naughtiness’. The makeup looked  romantic, girly and sweet. Hair at the show was very 70’s with big flowing, bouncy curls and nails were painted nude with a bit of sparkle added - This was my favourite look by far!  

Photo by @vitalphotonyc Instagram

ICB show makeup and photo by @sstrazzere Instagram

      

Jenny Packham S/S14

Next up I noticed fresh, flawless, dewy faces. Described by many of the key makeup artist's as 'sporty' think 'just got out the gym glow' (without the sweat and panting) Personally I love the glowing skin look over matte skin, and this is going to be HUGE next S/S, so next year go easy on the powder and keep to a dewy liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser.

Vera Wang S/S14

Do you like wear orange lipstick often? No? Well you will be next year according to the runway! Orange lips where all over the catwalk at NYFW - buy an orange lippy or if you are a little hesitant, a sheer orange lipgloss and try the trend for yourself next year.

Blue eye shadow also made an impact this year, with everything from pale, sheer blue to bright blue - basically if you love blue next year is your year. For an on trend blue stick to cool mid toned shades. 

Marc Jacobs S/S14 

Obviously there are many more emerging trends for next year including sleek straight hair (throw away the rollers?! NEVER) and matte nails, but above are my favourite trends. Of course you don't need to try them all, and if you simply hate blue eye shadow don't wear it! But have fun with new trends, its always good to try new things. 

Up next London fashion week. I'll be keeping my fashionable beady eyes out for the new trends from this side of the pond, I imagine I will see alot of the above, and hopefully more!

Why MAC ain't all that.........

Hello everyone! I've wanted to write this blog for a while, I feel like MAC has taken over the makeup world and many people are blinded by the fact they think MAC is 'the best' Makeup brand. Don't get me wrong there are staples we get from MAC to restock our studio kit including, brush cleaner, blot powder, certain blushes etc - and in no way am I saying MAC is crap, because it's not! Like I said I always shop there for certain products. 

I am just trying to broaden the average girl's makeup horizons and point out there are good (if not better) products by different brands out there, if you're willing to look. 

You walk into MAC in the Met Quarter on a Saturday afternoon and can barely move for the girls in there browsing and buying arm loads of products, when Illamasqua which is just opposite MAC in the Met Quarter is quite empty with only a few people in there. Illamasqua have some fabulous products, from their super pigmented blushes, great foundations (I use their Skin Base foundation on myself) strong lipsticks and great quality brushes along with many more products! Next time you're in the Met Quarter and want to buy some makeup just take a trip to Illamasqua before MAC!
I must also say that a couple of times a year Illamasqua have amazing sales where you can often get an amazing lippy or eyeshadow for just £5! 

I feel like MAC has possibly changed the way they make their makeup (cheaper options maybe, different ingredients?) as I don't feel their eyeshadows are as pigmented as they once used to be & their pigment pots have shrunk by alot and they don't seem to be the same (I have an old Vanilla pigment in the original sized pot and a new Vanilla pigment in the new sized pot and they just don't seem the same quality) 

There are amazing makeup brands everywhere just waiting to be tried, don't get stuck in the MAC makeup rut, take a trip to NARS - where they have some gorgeous products like their cult classic blushes and bronzers, Laura Mercier for the 'best' primer in the world! Also Chanel for their amazing Illusion D'ombre cream eyeshadows. 

If you like online shopping please try Makeup Forever available to buy from one of our favourite makeup shops (makeup heaven!!) www.gurumakeupemporium.com where they stock Makeup Forever's entire range. 
We use ALOT of Makeup Forever in the studio and I couldn't imagine doing makeup without using their products - We absolutely love their HD foundation (which we use in the studio) their Aqua cream's (multi use cream bases for eyes, cheeks and lips which are also waterproof!) and their amazing Fix spray which you spray on after all makeup has finished - your makeup will not budge! Along with many more products. 
We also love Sugar Pill eyeshadows which are super pigmented and very good quality for money available to buy from www.love-makeup.com. 

Obviously I can't name every brand and every product I love here, but, if you are a makeup lover just branch out from your makeup comfort zone and try different brands - I promise you, you will not be disappointed!