Tuesday 29 January 2013

My Winter Essentials.

In the winter everyone's skin tends to get a little dry and dehydrated and we end up spending a fortune on lotions and potions to make it feel better. I thought I would share with you some of my winter essentials for keeping my horrendously dry flakey skin hydrated and somewhat healthy looking.


Firstly, I drink A LOT of water! I try and carry a litre bottle with me at all times and I have disciplined myself to get through 2 a day. We've it heard so many times but drinking water is paramount to healthy skin, basically healthy everything. Product wise I try and keep it as simple as possible, less is more, but I feel that the quality of the product is important.
 After I have cleansed my skin I apply a generous amount of Clarins HydraQuench Cream over my face and neck, day and night. This cream has a wonderful lightweight gel texture so it absorbs quickly into the skin and never feels greasy. I then apply Origins A Perfect World SPF35 UV Face Protector, a hydrating sun screen that I also double up as a tinted moisturiser. It is only slightly tinted but on good skin days I find that, paired with concealer, it is sufficient coverage. I have had a long relationship with this product and it has never failed me, it smells amazing, leaves my skin hydrated and most importantly, protects my skin. SPF is the best anti aging product out there, not only does it do the obvious by blocking out the suns harmful rays, but it also protects against environmental damage, which is a must when you live in a busy city.
For concealer, I cannot get enough of the amazing and super cheap Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer. If you have ever used the YSL Touche Eclat you will know the concept of these highlighting/concealer "pens" but there is something different about this one. It provides great coverage, looks completely natural and imparts the skin with light. Also it is only £4.99 and you can get it on the high street! I used it recently for a red carpet event and my client couldn't believe how great it looked in real life and in photographs. The packaging has recently been updated but it is still the same great product.
As I want my skin to remain hydrated and appear moisturised and natural I like to stick to cream blusher to add a bit of colour to my pale skin. I like to pick and choose but I always go back to my trusty Mac Creme Blend Blush in Ladyblush. This shade has been around forever and I'm sure if Mac discontinued it there would be a mutiny on their hands, it's just a really classic soft, warm coral that suits pretty must everyone who has fair to dark olive skin tones. I just love how easy it is to use, I use my fingers.





So there you have it, simple and easy, no need to fuss. Thanks to everyone who was interested enough to ask, I hope it was helpful. If you have any more questions please don't hesistate to get in touch here or via facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SophieCoxMUA


xxx

Clarins HydraQuench Cream £33.50 (50ml)
Origins A Perfect World SPF35 UV Face Protector £20 (40ml)
Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer £4.99
MAC Cosmetics Cremeblend Blush £17.50

Thursday 17 January 2013

Youtube beauty "guru" Nikkie Tutorials.




Over the last few years I have become addicted to watching makeup tutorials on Youtube, however, anyone who knows me, knows I am quite particular about who I watch. As someone who puts makeup on peoples faces for a living, I want to learn new things and be inspired by watching others. I do think that Youtube is a wonderful platform and a great way of communicating and sharing with the rest of the world, I also this there is a lot of crap on youtube. The people I only really watch for serious "education" purposes tend to be actual makeup artists, a bit snobby I know, I feel a bit bad about it. There is one gorgeous young lady that stands out amongst the rest. 
Lady Gaga "fame"

Step forward NikkieTutorials, now this girl can paint face! When I first discovered her videos I was instantly taken aback by her ability and technique, her beautiful pale skin and the fact she was only 16 at the time. I then discovered she was self taught! I too am self taught so I assumed that if I watched her videos I would be just as good. Sadly for me, every time she posts a new video its always even more amazing than the last. Nikkie isn't afraid to challenge herself, she will recreate looks from the latest runway shows, magazine covers and popular celebrities. Her Halloween looks are always creative and intricate but have an awesome "high fashion edge". Her talent has lead her to become a tutor at the B Academy and to be signed to a top agency where she has gone on to work on some amazing projects.

So, if you are looking to brush up on your makeup skills or just be entertained and inspired go to http://www.youtube.com/user/NikkieTutorials 




Halloween: Colourful Skull Makeup Tutorial

Lady Gaga "FAME" Commercial Inspired Makeup Tutorial

Modern Pin Up with a Twist! Makeup Tutorial


Monday 14 January 2013

Recreation #1





I thought I would set myself the challenge this year of recreating a few of my favourite inspirational images that I have seen online or in magazines. A few weeks ago I came across this beautiful image via Makeup Artists Meet, who regularly post gorgeous images on their facebook, twitter and instagram. I am a sucker for sultry, blended bronze smokey eyes and when I saw this image I just had to see if I could recreate it. I called upon my good friend and model colleague Lucy Cates to sit for me as she has wonderfully unique features that take makeup so well. I have included a link below to Lucy’s agency so you can check out her work.
Lucy’s skin is in great condition so I didn't want to overload it with foundation, so I gently cleansed then applied a thin layer of Embryolisse lait-creme Concentre to moisturise. I wanted Lucy’s skin to look luminous so I layered Mac’s face and Body with the wonderful Clarins Instant light Complexion Perfector in #2. This product is so multi-purpose, I love it! It really smooth’s and perfects the skins appearance, there for it can be used alone or as a primer as I have done. I concentrated it on top of the cheekbones and then added a thin layer of Mac Face and Body foundation all over Lucy’s face. For the eyes I wanted to make sure I captured the beautiful bronze shadow so I mixed a few things together. As a base I used Catrice Longlasting Shadow in #040 I then layered Amber Lights and Museum Bronze Pigment (MAC) until I got the desired intensity. I made sure all the edges were soft and blended by using a MAC 217 brush, blending up towards the brow bone and out in a slight wing. To deepen the socket I used shades from my trusty Au Natural palette by Sleek Makeup, I mixed the black and the darkest brown. To achieve that gorgeous sultry lash line I roughly smudged a messy line of Teddy Eye Kohl (MAC) into the base of the lashes and again with the darkest brown from the Sleek palette, I softened and blended the line adding more liner if I felt necessary. I applied a generous amount of mascara and added my favourite ever false lashes, the Ardell Demi Wispies. They are fluffy and full but look so real, they are also only about £5. In the original images the models face is beautifully highlighted which has obviously been enhanced in post-production; I wanted to keep it all very warm so I dusted Vanilla Pigment (MAC) which has a beautiful gold sheen, over Lucy’s cheekbones, brow bone and softly down the bridge of her nose. I then just used a touch of bronzer to warm up the skin and some Clinique Invisible loose powder to set everything and remove any skin that wasn’t needed. For the lip colour I mixed MAC's Diva with an old Rimmel Lipstick that was an amazing bright pink, I then just added a clear gloss on top.





I feel like we did a pretty good job seeing I only have a little Fuji Fine Pix camera and no knowledge of editing what so ever. I want to thank Lucy for coming round and hanging out with me, your face was perfect and you are always loads of fun. I’m going to make this a regular feature on my blog as I’ve already a number of requests to recreate to awesome images. If you want to send me an image you can post them on my facebook page.


www.facebook.com/SophieCoxMUA
Lucy's agency: www.motmodel.com/models/detail.asp?model_id=6754
www.clarins.co.uk
www.ardelllashes.com
www.maccosmetics.co.uk/
Embryolisse Uk stockist: www.gurumakeupemporium.com