HD brows

In my opinion eyebrows frame the face. A well groomed brow completes any makeup look. So wether it be a dramatic night out makeup finished with a sharp and dramatic arch. Or a simple day look using a natural shadow and a quick brush through the hairs, to compliment an effortless look. Obviously there are many other ways in which you can wear brows. For most of us we don't have time to create a different brow each morning, although being a makeup artist I do favour my brows to be a particular way for 90% of my makeup looks/occasions.

When I decided I was fed up of drawing, filling in and creating a similar brow look almost each morning. I began my search for a treatment which would give me perfect brows to wake up to each morning. I discovered semi permanant brows/tattoo'd brows. I absolutley love some of my clients eyebrows, who have had this treatment done. Yet due to being a makeup artist (also I don't feel old enough to make such a commitment) This wasn't the right treatment for me. I still want the option of altering my brows. I feel tattoo'd brows is a better option for those who have trouble growing eyebrow hair or have very sparse areas. I definitely don't have this problem; In fact quite the opposite and if I allowed them I could find myself sporting a uni brow!

That's when I heard about HD brows. The only regret I have is not finding out about them sooner! It is a combination of six stages. Which takes up to an hour long. The aim is to create and define the perfect brow. Fill in any gaps and create a natural arch and a defined yet natural finish. The stages are; plucking, tinting, trimming, waxing, threading, shaping with a pencil and colouring with a powder. All precise stages which result in the perfect brow shape. You talk through with your beautician about what type of brows you want, obviously the aim is a perfect shape, yet you can decide if you want them thicker/thinner. A strong arch or slight arch etc and tweak them to your own style so not everyone leaves with the same generic eyebrows. Which I think is also a great aspect to the treatment. I mentioned previous I have no trouble growing eyebrow hair yet after years of dodgy waxing and over plucking, my left  eyebrow had taken a beating and was struggling to grow hairs at the end of. My brow specialist picked up on this before I mentioned it. She explained how she could encourage growth and train the hairs to grow in this particular direction. Unlike a typical eyebrow wax which removes hairs that dont fall into the natural brow shape. HD brows guides and trains these hairs to grow in a direction which will improve the brow fullness. The tinting is also different to a regular brow tint. Instead of it tinting the hairs it tints the brow area too. This means it lasts longer and if you are trying to grow hair in sparse areas this will cover the gaps in the mean time. I would say it took about three sessions to gain my perfect brow shape and fullness. Yet after the first treatment there was a huge improvement and a massive difference.

I aim to have my treatment done every four weeks. I find this is a good space of time. Only in the final week will they begin to look slightly untidy and a few stray hairs will appear, this is nothing a bit of eyebrow pencil and makeup can't hide. I am due my seventh HD brow session at the end of the month. It really does change my whole face and even without any makeup my brows looks perfectly groomed. I get so many compliments from both friends and complete strangers and I would recommend this treatment to anyone.

At £25 it is pricey. An definitely is expensive if you view it as an 'eyebrow wax and tint' which you can get down the road for a fiver (which I've heard too many times) Yet this is a treatment and precise stages which transforms brows and really makes a huge difference to you face and the framing of your face. Where i go to get mine they offer your sixth treatment for free, as a loyalty bonus. So you can view it as £20 a month for 6 months. If you go to a reputable brow place to get a wax and tint. It will cost in the region of £11 every two weeks. So if anything this is cheaper, and in my opinion far better. I have converted many friends and clients to this treatment, and they all agree they wouldn't change back. 

I know HD brows are becoming increasingly popular and now there are mobile specialists and numerous salons who offer this amazing service. I have mine done at 'The House of beauty' which is at the end of allerton road. (opposite the library). I have had a few of the beauticians there and they are all lovely. They are well trained and know exactly what they're doing. It's a gorgeous spa and I recommend 'The House' just as much as I do HD brows. 

Here is a before and after picture..

Fair of Face x

Clarins tan

I don't know about anyone else, but the idea of putting false tan on my face isn't appealing. The thought of the tan collecting around my eyebrows or coming out patchy, also I have a dry skin type and felt a tan would dry my skin out and not give me the nutrients it needed. Thats when i discovered the Clarins 'Instant Smooth Self Tanning '

It is not like your average tanning product. It comes in a large pot which looks like a moisturiser. The brown/orange colour doesn't look very appealing, yet once applied to the skin it gives a subtle glow and no orange undertones! It takes a few hours to develop, I usually apply the night before a night out and then two applications on the actual day, one in the morning and another late afternoon. Obviously you need to find out how many applications you need to get your desired colour for paler skin tones one should be enough. You apply it just like a moisturiser and make sure you spread evenly. I then thoroughly wash my hands and then repeat the rubbing in process with the product I already have on, just to ensure i havent missed any patches. If you did miss any patches I dont think it would be completley noticeable after one application. That's the beauty of this product it has a subtlety to it so even those who aren't the most precise can achieve the desired finish and not worry about a patchy face! It takes about five minutes for the tan to completley melt in and then I leave my face free of any makeup for at least five hours so I can really see what colour is being achieved.

 What I love about this product is, it has a gorgeous silky texture and makes my skin feel soft and cared for. I have quite sensitive skin around the eye area, so a harsh tan full of different ingredients also worried me. This is why i trusted Clarins, I've used many of their skin care products over the years and they've all been gentle and fresh. This tanning cream is no exception to this! It's a balm like texture and smoothes over the skin effortlessly. It gives a lovely bronzed colour with a subtle glow, opposed to a dirty brown and dull finish, which is another reason why I shyed away from face tans. It doesn't look greasey which I've found many tans have in the past, so this is a great product for those with an oily skin type. It makes my foundation appear brighter and my skin look radiant on a night out. Another perk is the next day after only a few hours sleep and one too many cocktails you still have this glow, and can look presentable, if like me, you work on sundays!

I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a boost of colour, yet doesn't want to trust a harsh face tan. If you miss your summer tan, (because lets face it makeup always seems to look better in the summer) then I would definitely recommend this product. It has earnt a permanant place in my beauty essentials. At £17.50 it is a reasonable price considering the quality of this product and I am yet to find any others to rival this tan. Even though I do use quite a lot of the product especially needing at least three applications for my desired colour, I still feel you get a good amount for the price. The only other down side is the smell. Don't get me wrong, I know all tans come with a smell and this is by far not the worst. Having said that it is quite over powering on application, yet once on the skin there is no smell. I would describe the smell as very sweet almonds. So by all means not a bad smell, just quite strong and I don't know wether this will appeal to all.

Please leave me a comment and let me know if you find a cheaper alternative or your thoughts if you have used this product yourself!

Fair of Face x

Primer

Primer is one of the staple products in my makeup kit. I wouldn't dream of applying make up knowing I'm wearing it for a long period of time and not applying primer before hand. It preps the skin and creates a flawless canvas ready for foundation and other products. Some have misconstruded ideas about primer, thinking it can be greasy or excentuate pores. Make foundation cling to blemishes or dry areas.. This may have been true in the early stages of a primer.. yet they are extremley advanced and the better ones are formulated to feel like a light moisturiser.

After discovering primer is a must have product I started to read lots of reviews and sample different brands. That's when i discovered Laura Mercier's primer. Just like the brands tinted moisturiser (which I have blogged about perviously) it has a few choices in the range each with a different benefit. There is a normal primer, then an oil free, hydrating, radiance and a newer addition to the range the mineral primer. 

My favourite is quite predictable.. the radiance. Don't be fooled by this added benefit into thinking it is shimmery! It adds a natural radiance and makes even the most matte foundations give a subtle glow. Its beautiful swept over the brow bone on minimal makeup days. Of course with it being a primer this beautiful glow will last all day!

I also love the normal primer. It really does do its job and give flawless results. Make up doesn't budge all day, yet you don't feel suffocated or like your foundation is glued to your face. Comfort and a flawless face which lasts all day!

At £28 pounds it is quite pricey. Yet after testing lots of other primers both cheaper and more expensive, high street and more luxury brands I can honestly say this is the best I have come across and it receives amazing reveiws. If you want a primer that does and amazing job then look no futher. A little goes a long way and with a wide range to suit all skin types you should find a formula that is ideal for you!

Fair of Face x

Zoo Project

I have just returned from ten nights in Ibiza! Whilst i was over there I did body painting for the event Zoo Project. For those who don't know I'll give a little insight.. Its pretty self explanatory but its a day event and it is set in a zoo themed outdoor venue. People are hired to dress as zoo creatures and the dancers are dressed as animals. Majority of those who go wear animal printed clothes and most get some part of their body painted with an animal print..

I decided I wanted to do my own painting so i packed my glitters, paints and brushes and off I went. Considering I'd never done this before I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I created a snake, peacock, tiger, bird and leopard. I loved doing it, it added to the day and I received lots of compliments.

                                                    Peacock

                                                    Bird

                                                    Snake

                                          Tiger's

I used a combination of snazaroo paints, gel based adhesive for glitter, cosmetic glitters in different colours and old make up brushes.

Fair of Face x

Real Techniques

These brushes are my favourite. They make my life so much easier as a make up artist. They are a dream to work with and super soft!

My favourite of the real techniques is definitely the stippling brush. Its a multi use and I have two so I use one for foundation and the other for applying powders and contouring the cheeks. It works amazing with a heavy coverage foundation. The short brush hairs and the flat end really buff the foundation into the skin. Which is what you need for a thick foundation, something like EL double wear, other wise it will sit on top of the skin and look cakey. I also find the stippling brush is good for foundations which require mixing to create a thicker formula an example of this is Mac face and body. I pour the product onto my hand and mix the foundation on my hand using the stippling brush, creating a thicker formula therefore more coverage. The brittles and short yet soft, so they can bend and reach awkward places such as around the nose area.

The powder brush used for bronzers and powders is amazing. It picks up a good amount of product and spreads evenly. Lots of clients comment on the softness of the brush. The blush brush is full, yet tapered at the end so perfect for sweeping product along the apples of the cheeks, I also use the blush brush for cheek highlighter.

The deluxe crease brush is perfect for concelear. Its fluffy and blends products amazing, covering any blemishes yet making the concelear appear buffed into the skin and even.

There are lots of others in the collection and I could write all day about them. I would recommend anyone who wears make up to try them. They are cheaper then most brush brand yet the quality is amazing. You can also go on the website where there are tutorials on how to use each brush, which is really good to ensure your using your brushes correctly and getting the best finish from your brush.

Fair of Face x

Pixiwoo Course

So majority of those who know me know that I have recently completed the Pixiwoo Course.. For anyone who knows make up will know who these girls are. Famous for their amazing youtube tutorials. Not to mention their blogs and extensive work throughout the industry. Having followed their tutorials from the start and watching them evolve into a make up phenomenon I realised the only place to perfect my skills would be on their week intensive course!

I can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made. The amount of tips and tricks they shared and the support on offer was amazing. It was make up heaven. Every brand worth owning was in the room. From MAC, Estee Lauder, Tom Ford and Chanel to Avon, Bobbi Brown and Illamasqua (they even had some Chanel Pro lumiere!)

First meeting Sam and Nic was surreal. I'm not one to be starstruck, yet I can say i was slightly nervous. Within 15 minutes i felt right at home. I was joined by nine other girls, some complete beginners, others with some previous experience. We learnt different looks each day and switched partners, this was to work with different skin tones and skin types. I was lucky to have some beautiful models!

We learnt various looks such as bridal, glamour, period, natural/day and drag!! Each day was completley different from the last. I enjoyed the different looks, i found some looks more challenging than others. With the advice from the girls I was pleased with each look i created.  I learnt so much including techniques and which products and colours suit different skin types/tones. Sam, Nic and Stacey were always on hand to offer tips and advice.

I had the pleasure of Nic being my model for the Period make-up. I chose a 60's look from a picture I found before attending the course and completely fell in love with. So when we were asked to choose an image i knew this was the one.

Sam asked for the complete 'Scouse Brow' look (I wasn't about to go that far haa!) yet i did give her a 'Liverpool girls night out' smokey eye. We chose to do something a little different and use purple and navy colours for the eye. Keeping the face and lips soft to make the eyes really stand out!

My bridal make up my model was Carmen. To compliment her skin tone i chose a pink shimmer with a hint of bronze for all over the lid. I kept the skin bronzed and flawless with a hint of peach to the cheeks.

One of my favourite looks i created was on Camilla. A navy blue smokey eye. It was inspired by Cheryl Cole when she performed at the Jubilee concert created by the amazing Caroline Barnes. I kept the eyes the main focus complimenting them with bronzed skin, some highlighting and a nude glossy lip.

 Something which i didnt expect to enjoy quite as much, yet once we got creative i loved every minute was Drag! The more products the better for this look. Eyebrows blocked out and plenty of colour! (not that anyone will be attempting this look for a night out)

Overall i had one of the most amazing weeks. I loved every minute of it, made some lovely friends and loved getting to know Sam, Nic and Stacey. I would recommend this course to anyone who like me adores make up and has previous experience, yet wants to enhance their skills further. If you are a complete begginner I would still recommend this course, yet like the girls on the course you should be well read and prepared for an intense yet amazing week!

More pictures from the course are on my facebook 'FairofFace Liverpool' 

Fair of Face x

Summer Glow - Tinted Moisturiser

As we are in the middle of our 'Summer' and I'm sat in my garden with the first sign of sun in months I thought to write this blog on tinted moisturisers...
I like to wear a heavier coverage of foundation in the winter months, yet when the weather starts to warm up there is nothing worse then feeling uncomfortable or suffocated by your make up. I'm not one for going au natural and still like some form of coverage even when on holiday. I have found tinted moisturiser is the answer. It is buildable and gives an even coverage, yet sits lightly on the skin so you hardly notice you're wearing anything. Its a great base to add bronzers and powders on top. With it being a moisturiser your skin is being cared for and hydrated in the process, perfect!

I believe tinted moisturiser have been thought of as a waste of money in the past and there wasn't as big a demand for them, due to consumers not realising the benefits and basically viewing them as a watery foundation with little staying power. Tinted moisturiser shouldn't be treated like a normal moisturiser, which is for most a slap dash application to hydrate the skin. Your tinted moisturiser should be applied with a foundation brush in order to get the most coverage and you should aim to buff it into the skin just like you would with any foundation. I still apply some of my normal moisturiser before applying the product just to give an extra touch of hydration in the heat, this works due to me having dry skin, yet i wouldn't recommend this step for those with an oily skin type. I would suggest to test with and without your usual moisturiser and see which you prefer after a couple of hours of wearing.

After deciding a tinted moisturiser was an essential for the summer months my search began! I tried various brands and read numerous reviews. I monitored them throughout the day and then at the end of the day. I was looking for the coverage, how my skin felt under the product and its staying power. I found some were quite greasey. Some didn't last as long and required a second application/ touch up. Other's offered barely any coverage. That is when i discovered my favourite brand for this product!

Laura Mercier. The original tinted moisturiser is one of their best selling products, with a wide range of colours to suit majority of skin tones. It is light weight, with light yet buildable coverage. Feels comfortable and combined with a touch of primer it doesn't move yet allows skin to breathe.I can understand why this product is a winner of multiple beauty awards. The brand also offers the same formula with different benefits. The oil free which is best for those with an oily skin type. My favourite being the illumaniting, due to having dry skin even when hydrated and my skin is at its best it can still look dull, therefore I opt for products to brighten my skin and give a dewy finish. So after discovering this tinted moisturiser with the illuminating extra i was sold. The only downside is the price tag at £33 it's not cheap. The way i see it, foundation is a product most are likely to pay that extra amount for, if your base is perfect everything else seems to fall into place. Therefore view your tinted moisturiser as your summer foundation, not to mention a little goes a long way. I bought the shade golden radiance which is slightly dark for me at the moment, yet with a tan will be perfect, I can't wait to try it on my next holiday in a few weeks. It also has an spf 20 so you'l be protected whilst wearing. This will literally give you that summer glow without having to wear tons of different products whilst abroad (less products to pack means more room for clothes!)

Things to bare in mind it does have an SPF 20 therefore may give some flash back and combined with a lot of sunburn from that day you could look shiney, in that case add a powder to the t-zones and maybe a concealer under eyes and the moisturiser everywhere else. I hasn't gave me any flash back, yet i will bare this in mind whilst on holiday. Also just because it has the SPF in don't use it as a replacement for your usual sun protection.

Fair of Face x