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