L'Oreal Infallible Collection

I seem to be slightly obsessed with L'Oreal recently... Maybe it's because overall the brand displays a high-end vibe but for high street prices? Or maybe it's just because it's always on 3 for 2 at Boots. Either way, I've noticed I've some how managed to accumulate enough L'Oreal products to fill a whole shelf and among these treats I hold three popular products from the almighty Infallible range.

Annoyingly, Mother Nature blessed (or cursed) me with oily skin which left to it's own devises, can get a little crazy... So a foundation with strong staying power is essential. I mean there's nothing worse than catching your reflection half way through the day and practically blinding yourself as the light reflects off your shiny face (this seems to happen to me quite often). I'll always be a die hard fan of my beloved Estee Lauder Double Wear but at £30 a bottle it's not always affordable to splash out. Thankfully though, we can rely on our high-street brands to save the day with affordable prices and L'Oreal is renowned for delivering high quality cosmetics that won't break the bank! 

The Infallible 24H Foundation was top on my list to try. A high-coverage foundation that disguises the appearance of fatigue and blemishes as well as staying fresh for 24 hours? Yes please! I must admit, it was difficult to find the perfect shade and it's not the easiest of foundations to blend so would recommend applying this with a beauty blender (sponge) but once applied it does deliver high-coverage with a lovely glow. Disappointingly, it only stays put up until about lunch time and is in no way 'touch proof' as they claim. I have to wear glasses at work and found the foundation transfers onto them, leaving foundation-less patches on the bridge of my nose (even though I primed my skin before hand and set the foundation with powder) Okay so inevitably, when wearing glasses all day there's bound to be slight marks but out of all the foundations I've used this foundation has been the least resilient; it's safe to say I wouldn't even consider wearing this on a night out.

I decided I needed to go down the Infallible 24H Matte Foundation route and applied it in hope of a better result. Positively, it does deliver a long lasting matte finish and is somewhat water/ steam resistant but it didn't give me a natural appearance and it was so very obvious I was wearing a thick foundation. I persevered with it for about a week, experimenting with different application techniques and sandwiching it between a range of primers and powders but broke up with it after reading the ingredients. It contains so many parabens and chemicals that I simply couldn't bring myself to use it anymore.

On a positive note, I do love the Infallible Powder Compact and have re-purchased it twice already. Although it's a pressed powder, it's quite loose so one swish of a brush is plenty. It evenly sets my foundation and delivers a flawless finish without drying or caking which is perfect. I love that it comes with a handy mirror and sponge for on the go touch ups, definitely in my top three for high-street powders! Honestly, I'm disappointed that I didn't fall madly in love with this range, I really wanted to! And although these foundations weren't my cuppa tea, I have read other reviews which have sung their praises so it just goes to show that it completely depends on your personal preference and skin type. 

Neeks ☯

Redheads & Royalty

Aloha!

It's that time of the year again where I'm impatiently waiting for the arrival of Christmas festivities but I've promised myself I won't talk or blog about it until December! However, I have been throwing myself into my uni project 'Redheads & Royalty'.

Without beating around the bush we had to create 2 contemporary Elizabethan images. The first image needed to be a design that I created for myself and another student applied it on me. The second design will be designed by someone else for me to create on them. So this is my design, enjoy! 

The Elizabethan elements are my red hair and fair skin, with pink blush Sleek 3 Blush Palette- Pumpkin (squash). I also embraced my fair brows and put a contemporary spin on Elizabethan red lipstick by adding plum shades from Kate Moss Lasting Finish(004) and L-Oreal Color Riche (240). The large hair rolls were inspired by the shapes of Elizabethan wigs and the crimped bottom layers were my interpretation of an old technique known as 'frizzing'. The modernised eye make-up was applied with 'sidecar' and 'toasted' from the Urban Decay Naked Palette 1 Other key products include Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation (shell) Benefit Highbeam Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner (black) and MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara (black).

 So there you have it! My contemporary version of Queen Elizabeth 1st. I really hope you like this post and find it useful, I will be uploading my next image next week when I've completed it.

What are your favorite elements of Elizabethan hair & make-up? Let me know!  

Neeks x

Applying A Base (Foundation, Concealer, Powder)

Having a good base is key to any make-up look. After a good consolation with your client and  prepping the skin properly  (see 'Consolations & Prepping The Client (Skin Care)')it's time to start make-up application. 

Foundation: 

In this session we learnt how to apply a good base using the Dermacolor Foundation Palette. Choose your shade by comparing it to the clients jaw line, it should blend in perfectly. You may need to mix foundations or use a tiny bit of Illamasqua white foundation to lighten. Many people also like to mix a primer in with their foundation instead of applying it underneath, we use the Illamasqua primer, which comes in matte or satin (depending on the look you are going for determines which one you'll use. 

Main:

Using a large buffing brush, buff the foundation into the skin, blendng the ears, hair line and as you blend down the jaw and neck, stretch the neck up (gently) to avoid lines. 

(TIP- facial toner removes make-up out of hair easily!)

Detail:

Now, using a smaller, longer-haired blending brush, focus the foundation up and around the nose. Ask your client to open their mouth slightly so you can focus around the lips and also, by using a puff to support the eye area, use backwards and forwards motions to apply the make-up. Remember to get right to the lash line, underneath and in the inner corner.

(TIP- we use a puff to lean gently on the face to prevent melting the make-up with our fingers and also it's nicer for the model!) 

Concealer:

Today we used the Dermacolor Camouflage Palette. You want to use a concealer 1 or 2 shades lighter than the clients foundation. You can also mix the concealer in with a tiny bit of foundation if you want to. Use a small, long-haired blending brush to conceal blemishes and under the eye. 

(TIP- under the eye you have a soft part of skin and underneath you have a bone, don't apply below that line!)

YSL Touche Eclat light reflecting pen is amazing for under the eye area as it has light reflecting pigments in. However, be careful because it contains metal, and a lot of people have reactions to it. 

(TIP-never apply light reflecting products onto blemishes, it won't hide them it will make them stick out even more!)

Set:

Empty some powder onto the back of your hand (we used the Illamasqua Translucent Loose Powder) and using your puff, roll the powder onto the forehead and down the t-zone. Then, using a fluffy brush, lightly apply to the rest of the face and powder over the eye lids. 

(TIP- the more powder you put on the eye lids, the easier it will be to blend your powder eye shadow!)

This is the base I did. My model is Phoebe, her skin type is dry/ sensitive skin and she gets redness in the lower cheek area. 

'never tell a singer you've got a sore throat' 

Neeks x