Mini Make up Tips Monday; Base

Welcome to my new Monday series of make up tips that I've picked up from magazines, YouTube and life.

Now I'm not the best at foundation I will tell you all the tips and tricks I know to make it a little bit easier.

1. Prime your skin, it's good to have a skincare routine but before you start applying any make up you should start with a clean face so it is important wash your face with soap and water or cleanse your face with cleanser, toner or micelle water.  Then apply moisturiser, primer or both so that your make up has something to stick to.
2. Next I personally conceal my under eyes with the garnier eye roll on and pat it in with my ring finger as that has the most delicate touch.
3. To pick the perfect foundation you need to match the colour to your neck in natural daylight and sometimes you just have to mix two shades together.
4. When applying the foundation I tend to use a foundation brushes and blend all over my face and neck equally.
5. I also conceal any areas with blemishes after foundation and blend with my finger.
6. It is very important to set at least your concealer with powder so that it doesn't budge and this will take any shine away from the T zone (forehead, nose & chin).

P.S sorry its not actually Monday.

Halloween 2015

This Halloween I decided to dress up as a mermaid that had been hook by a fisherman.  I got this idea after seeing some images on Pinterest where someone actually stuck a real fish hook to their face!

As I was going clubbing on Halloween night I wanted a costume that was practical and not too extravagant.  So I decided to get normal clothes that look mermaidish.  The first website I looked at was perfect as they do a lot of basic Jersey items and they are within my budget.  Www.boohoo.com

Caroline cross front bralet

Delia drape asymmetric hem midi skirt

Everything arrived really quickly and it was easy to send things back through the post office as I ordered 2 biggish orders.

Firstly I curled with a small barreled wand and pinned my hair out of the way so i could concentrate on my make up.

For my make up I started with some layered on liquid latex and tissue near my mouth to create a fleshy wound.  I then waited for it to dry and continued with my normal foundation, concealer and powder.  Next I contoured and shaded with shimmery turquoise and silver eyeshadow to create a base for the scales.

To get scales I saw people using fishnet tights and purple shimmer eyeshadow but I decided to use some stretchy mesh fabric that didn't work as well.  It made smaller less defined scales, so I recommend using proper fishnet tights.

As I had a lot of colour on my face I decided to use silver eyeshadow on my lids with glitter and bit of grey in the crease for definition.  For eyeliner I used thick matching teal crayon and a thin line of black liquid eyeliner.  As it was a costume I went all out with fake eyelashes which I don't normally wear as they are so fiddly and I have pretty long eyelashes anyway.

Obviously the look wouldn't be complete with some blood in the wound so I used my vampire blood I got on eBay last year.  The final touch was to pile on pearl jewellery and a khaki waterfall jacket for warmth.  I hope this gives you some ideas for the next time you dress up.

How To Shape Your Own Eyebrows

A lot of people compliment me on my eyebrows and wonder where I get them done or how I keep them looking good.  Truth be told I just do what I've always done; just some plucking when it's needed.

Here I will just give to some tips to keep your brows looking good.

1) Never over pluck your brows, it's not the 90s anymore
2) Use a make up brush against your nose to determine the length you brows should be
3) Get some good precise tweezers, this avoids pain and frustration
4) Only pluck hairs from under your brows and the occasional long hair from the outer sides

See small hairs below and central sparseness that will be filled in

5) Try to pluck hairs that are out of the natural line of hairs
6) Brush the hairs back and trim the long ones to keep them neat
7) Use wax, pencil or shadow to finish the look

Below are some of the products I use;

• Anastasia Beverly Hills BrowWiz or any of their eyebrow products.
• Primark eyebrow pencil £1
• MUA Brow Kit
• Any Matt brown eyeshadow that matches your brow hair and a thin brush to get between hairs.

The main aim is to fill in any gaps in your brows with a bit of colour that matches and looks natural.

Holiday Style

If you're anything like me, then you love to dress up on holiday, in those cute little shorts and your summer dresses.  In honour of my Jamaican holiday I have put together for you my favourite holiday looks of the last 5 years, just as I didn't take as many vain pictures on this holiday.  And this is our goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn.

Cuba 2011

 Mexico 2012

Ibiza 2012

Egypt 2013

Fuerteventura 2013

Miami 2014

New York 2014

Jamaica 2015

Jamaica 2015

MIA

Sorry I've been missing in action recently, I have a lot going on.  I had to find a new job as I'm being made redundant and now im in Jamaica for 2 weeks!  So definitely watch this space for when I return.

Weddings and What to Wear

Weddings are my favorite, this year I got to be a bridesmaid!  This was for my cousin's wedding two weeks ago now but it really was a great day that completely knackered me for the following day.

I think I'm a little bit obsessed with weddings, I once did a whole projects on them in AS Fine Art.  I also used to work in a florist during my business administration apprenticeship so I got to meet several brides and learn about the flowers for a wedding.  This will all be very beneficial when I plan my own wedding in the future.

But for now I would like to share a few wedding looks with you as I seem to have a fare few suitable dresses in my wardrobe.

Please note these clothes are not current collections in shops but I will note where they came from in case they have something similar.  Please excuse my chubbiness.

Look 1; 70s Chic - Tried and Tested

Hat:  Essential

Jacket; H&M

Dress; Forever 21

Necklace; Superdrug

Watch; Michael Kors

Clutch Bag; Primark

Wedges; Top Moda (Las Vegas market)

Look 2; Floral Flip

 Flower Hairclip; Primark

Blazer; Matalan

Dress; Raw

Handbag; Primark

Heels; New Look

Look 3; Floral Nude

Flower Headband; Home Bargains (Still have them)

Dress; Oasis

Clutch Bag; New Look

Heels; New Look

Look 4; Posh Pink

Fascinator; BHS

Dress; Mela Loves London

Handbag; Primark

Heels; New Look

Look 5; Slinky Mermaid

Fascinator; Debenhams

Blazer; Matalan

Dress; Lipsy

Heels; New Look

Look 6; Smart Rouge

Fascinator; Home Bargains (Still have them)

Necklace; Primark

Blouse; New Look

Belt; Boohoo

Skirt; Red Herring

Clutch Bag; Primark

Heels; New Look

I think the key to these looks is the accessories that pull it all together into wedding worthy attire.  So a fascinator, hat or even just flowers in your hair really amp up the glamour.  The jacket or cardigan and bag can really liven up any dress.  And of course a pair of heels or wedges finish the look but remember to bring flats if you want to dance the night away.

My top tip would be to pick a colour that complements you or the wedding theme and stick to a maximum of 4 colours for everything else.  And if you are wearing a print such as florals just stick to one or two items such as a dress or just heels and matching bag.

Mad on this Month

Yes I know it is only just into August but I am just addicted to...

Pinterest!  And yes I am very late to the party on this one but I kept coming across it on Facebook and just signed up last Saturday.  Firstly I looked at all the hair and beauty inspiration and naturally made a board for that.  Then came the wedding ideas!  No, I am not engaged or planning a wedding but this is fun.  I can see why so many brides just need Pinterest, it's very neat.

Now I'm at a point in my life where im starting to think about moving out, so of course I am now matulously planning each room with the help of Pinterest.  And it's so great how you can clearly see a person's tastes in one snapshot and share things with them that you may not know they like as well.  My personal decor taste is modern with a twist or touch of French feminism.

Also I couldn't leave fashion and shoes out so there is of course a board for each.  I'd love to see some your pin boards!

So please follow away and don't forget pin...

https://www.pinterest.com/elsybaby/

Let's Talk About Shoes!

I love shoes. Many people can tell when I say I have about 80 pairs! It has got a little bit out of hand and I am due a shoe cull. You must be wondering where on earth I keep all these shoes? 

Well they are spread in a number of places so I don't realise I have that many. Everyday shoes are in the hall cupboard with my family's shoes; my dad put a big shelf unit at the back which is perfect shoe height. Then I have some in the bottom of my wardrobe in shoe boxes and my special heels are under my lift up bed, neatly displayed in rows.

I once tried to keep them in this DVD display cabinet but the was a bit big in my room.

Heels and wedges are my favourite because they look so pretty but aren't always comfortable so I invest in plasters and gel cushions or strips to protect my feet from blisters.

My dream shoes are Christian Louboutin of course; but I may get some for my future wedding as they are so expensive and special.  I'm not sure exactly what style as I defo need a strap to keep my foot but a nude colour to go with everything.

I have recently started pinterest and have a pin board called Shoe Porn https://uk.pinterest.com/elsybaby/shore-porn/

Mad on This Month

I got these two new products at the airport on the way back from Amsterdam.

See I told you I would grow my collection!

First up I saw a little section with Anistasia Beverley Hills eyebrow products but not the eyebrow pomade but they did have the brow wiz so I got it!  I have heard so many good things about this product I had to have it at €24.50.  The medium brown shade is perfect for my eyebrows, not too dark and the product stays on well throughout the day.

Then I wanted a liquid lipstick or Matt lipstick so I saw the YSL Baby Doll Lips & Cheek and tried a few colours on my hand.  I went for a nice nudey pink and it looks lush with my skin tone.  I think it's shade 9 but I will double check that.  It was pricey at €32 but I had some money left that I wanted to use up so I didn't feel bad about it.

"You look like a tomboy"

Sorry that I've been MIA recently; I've been really busy with life.  I have just come back from a trip to Amsterdam so I thought I would go through travel essentials.

Firstly it is very hard to take only essentials in a small cabin sized bag.  But I didn't forget anything!

My top tips for packing are;

• Roll your clothes
• Weight your bag on 2 different scales to make sure it's in the limit
• Take out anything you might need and replace it with something you will need and definitely use
• Pack interchangeable outfits so you can switch from day to night easily
• Take a smaller secure bag for the day
• Always make a check list so you don't forget anything

Minimising my make up for the trip was hard but I thought that I didn't want to spend ages doing my make up I wanted to explore the city.  So I needed quick fixes and all under 100ml as I only took cabin baggage.

And going back to why my boyfriend called me a tomboy; it's because I was dressed practically not fashionably or overly girly.  Literally just top, hoody and skinny jeans.  I did have a few girly touches such as a pretty top and bright Turquoise Vans.  These are new and I got them in the Office sale for £25 (£28 but they had a mark).

Mad on This Month - May

This month and the past few months I have been crazy for make up!  But I must show you my 2 favourite products.

First up is the number 7 highlight stick called Instant Radice Highlighter in the lighter shade. (They have a gold bronze one too)

 I love this because it gives your skin a shimmer not so much glitter and it's in a nice pinky tone.  I use it on the bridge of my nose, my cheekbones, brow bone, Cupid's bow and sometimes my chin or forehead.  It's great for summer as an accent to your tan!

 And lastly the Maybelline 24hr colour tattoo gel cream eyeshadow in the shade, bronze on bronze.

I love this shade as it is similar to one in the MUA make up palette that is a definite dupe for Urban Decays Naked pallette.  This cream shadow is shimmery and lasts a long time, I often use it under eyeshadows a primer to make any colour last all day.

I highly recommend both products especially if they are on 3 for 2 in Boots.  A number of beauty bloggers/you tubers put me on to these products especially www.velvetgh0st.co.uk