MODERN NOIR AND UPDATE

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Elegant and seductive, so Dior. The graphic eye-liner and vampy lip has a modern film noir edge. 

I think my interpretation has a more sci-fi edge? Something about the blue just makes it a bit more punky. I think this would of looked better with a matte deeper wine shade to add more of a contrast. The rest of my face was nothing too overpowering so that it would help balance out the eyes and lips.

MEL BY MELISSA RASPBERRY HEART

I got these in the sale and I've had a few compliments already. I love the red kitsch heart. 

The most stressful experience in my LIFE. I've actually been working on it for a long time but towards the deadline, I underestimated how long it would take me to finish it....I did a 29 hour? all nighter with the help of pro-plus. SO glad it's over. NEVER AGAIN.

Books, books and more books. 

Shu Uemura had a sale. This is my kind of porn. 

Uniqlo and prints!

Spent NYE with these guys. Love them so much. Especially Quentin the tortoise. 

Homemade curry made for me :D

Hey guys, I'm back! Hope you are having a good new year so far. I still can't believe I'm done with uni work for now, it's been a constant cloud hanging over me for so long - and I can FINALLY relax for a bit. 

Hope you like this weeks look, I'm just slowly easing myself into make-up again. 

HOLIDAY FACE

 Zilch! Horrible eye bags, small break out (thanks uni) and very bad brows. Still growing them out... they are very uneven I know.

Hair, make-up and new scarf! 

KEY PRODUCTS:

LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER SPF 20 - NUDE

DIOR EYE-SHADOW - 760 TWEED

SUE DEVITT EYE INTENSIFIER PENCIL - AVA

THEBALM MARY-LOU MANIZER

BEAUTE COSMETICS LIQUI-GEL STAIN - FEVER

ILLAMASQUA LIPSTICK - ENCOUNTER

NYX BLUSH - TAUPE

Hey guys, happy holidays! So nice to play around with make-up and look semi-presentable for once. Very easy soft smokey eye with winged eyeliner and red lips... and of course highlighting.

Have a good holiday and wish me luck on my dissertation!

L.F RAMBLES - HIATUS?

My current expression for everything right now.

Hey guys, third year has hit me like a brick. I knew it would happen, but actually being smacked in the face with it SUCKS. I am super stressed and I'm currently in the midst of having briefs with short deadlines and amount for a lot of credits. I can't afford to fuck up because I managed to do well last year, so if I am to get a good degree by the end of this, I need to be working hard (no life and miserable for the most part). I've been illustrating/reading/researching like a mofo and I've got my dissertation and another hand in  for early January... so make-up isn't in the forefront of my mind. I'm really sorry but I don't want to be updating with substandard content for the sake of just updating.

Lighter news:

• I'm really happy working at Boots again.
• Still a pescatarian! Last year I stopped after 2 months, so my aim is to do at least 6 months before I decide whether to continue or not.
• Still eating clean. Sushi is still my cheat food though.
• Still obsessed with shoes. Trainers FTW.
• Been buying more skincare than make-up lately. I've turned into a skin care junkie. Rosehip oil = you need this in your life!
• My friend introduced me to a site in which I was briefly hooked onto. Some 'interesting' things came out of it. But it mainly confirmed the fact I'm a independent motherfucker. 

Anyway yes. This is me saying bye for now. I still love make-up, I just don't have the time right now to update my blog to a good enough standard. If I do any cool make-up jobs/looks I'll do a massive post with everything that has gone down.... but for now. Studying. Lot's of studying.

I'll be back next year. Hopefully you'll still be sticking around?

L.F RAMBLES - THOUGHT BUBBLE LEEDS COMIC ART FESTIVAL 2013

The queue for people with tickets! Funnily enough buying tickets on the day actually got us in quicker. Had to wait like 15 mins? Not bad. 

My battered wristband thing

So one of the main reasons for going to Thought Bubble was because I wanted to meet Jack Teagle. I'm a huge fan of his work and my inner geeky side really wanted something signed by him. So above is one of my favourite comics by him and he even did a doodle! I'll throw it out there but it's weird meeting illustrators/creatives in real life who you've admired for awhile? It's like 'fancying' their work but meeting the creator there's a bit of disconnect even though it's by them? So I think throughout the day I was really happy and excited to meet illustrators I've admired for awhile but when I met them I didn't know what to say... or maybe because I'm shy? I don't know. God I know I've used the weirdest analogy to try describe this. 

I also bought this risograph print by him that I've wanted for awhile. You can buy it here. 

When I asked if he could sign my comic of his I also decided to give him one of my Kitty comics. It's not that I think I'm even remotely good but his comics actually inspired me to create my own. He was really nice about it and said we could do a comic swap. So above is some some of the comic posters I picked up. Pretty sure I was allowed more than one?

Chubby! It's a new collaboration between Jack and Donya Todd. Looks good so I bought a shirt to support... and obviously because it's so FREAKING CUTE.

Picked up this Kristyna Baczynski print. Love the style and colour use.

Some business cards... well actually two. Can anyone else relate to going up to people's stand and looking at their work and feeling guilty for not buying anything? I kind of felt this all day especially when the artist is literally in front of you.

Dilraj Mann - love the characters he creates. This screen print is so beautiful!

Philipa Rice

Love this so much! Can't wait to frame it. Speaking of lovely female creatives I also met Gemma Correll who was super nice too.

Oh hey! It's a queue. How long was I stood outside in this bitter cold November weather for? More than an hour. Why? This was the queue to Olly Moss. SO FUCKING WORTH IT. If you are not familiar go Google him. NOW! Really original and quirky ideas.... and he also has a massive fan base which means trying to own something by him is really tricky or expensive (look at Ebay for his stuff). So... yes this is my chance to own some of work so hell yes to queuing for a stupid amount of time - sorry Sophie for making you do this too.

 My prints! I didn't know they were exclusive to Thought Bubble so yay for that. Again  I can't wait to frame this for my future home. Right now they are safely stored away. 

I might of picked up a 'few' of business cards I liked by him.

Hey guys, a post that is slightly geeky and definitely not related make-up related. I went to Thought Bubble  last Saturday and I really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd share it with you guys... well mainly my haul. I've been on a slightly bad and expensive kick with buying prints. I've actually got some Nous Vous coming my way too. But hey it's like buying art - I see it kind of as an investment. Nothing beats actually owning a physical version of some art work. 

I should also point out I'm not a massive comic fan. Or hardcore anyway. I think from looking at the things I did get you can see I'm more interested in the illustration-y side of things but I had a really fun day looking at artists doodling and finding new creatives too. I spent a good 5 hours browsing around as it was divided into 3 different buildings. There was also some talks and workshop things going on too if that floats your boat. I'll definitely come back again next year :)

Before I go... where have I been? Uni has taken over my life. I'm really sorry for the lack of posts - hopefully after Christmas I can have some free time again.

L.F DOES A/W - POWER BROW

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After my spell of featuring thin arched brows, I turned to the other side this week. If you have naturally bold full brows... I envy you! I was inspired by the ombre fade of the eyebrows and the eye-shadow - it balances the graphic edge of the brows to give a more softer overall appearance. 

I've cropped this weeks image...the left side didn't look symmetrical. 

Webcam of the full finished look. 
KEY PRODUCTS:
ILLAMASQUA LIPSTICK - ENCOUNTER
ILLAMASQUA CREAM PIGMENT - EMERGE
ILLAMASQUA POWDER EYE SHADOW - FLASHER
SHU UEMURA GLOW ON BLUSH - MEDIUM AMBER 761
WET AND WILD COLOR ICON - SILENT TREATMENT
MAYBELLINE GEL EYELINER - BLACK

Hey guys, sorry for the belated post but here's this weeks look! Taking a break from my usual love for thin stylised brows and taking a nod to the Cara brow = full, structured and bold.
I initially started with a green khaki crease and then when I shaped the brows, I let the black slowly merge together - the subtle nuance of colour compliments the punchy red lip and everything else was kept minimal and simple (contoured the face like mad).
Hope you like this weeks look, are you sporting a fuller brow this season?

L.F RAMBLES - ME

Sorry if you find these a bit grim, but it made my walk to uni more interesting. 

St Sushi is the best Japenese restaurant in Newcastle .

New Balance 574 Trainers

New to my collection. Perfect for speed walking to uni because it takes me at least 35 mins to get into uni by foot. Short legs = not cool.

1. I still HATE maths. Especially mental maths. I got a 'C' for GCSE but that was a struggle!
2. I love SUSHI. I can literally eat the stuff everyday - ask my flatmates/friends.
3. I have a 'slight' fear of dogs without leashes, I usually freeze up till they pass.
4. Insane tolerance to spicy food from working at a Thai place. 
5. I'm into horoscopes/zodiac shizzle. I'm a stereotypical Capricorn and proud!
6. I enjoy reading food blogs reviewing junk food, even though I have no intention on eating them.
7. Die Antwoord is my favourite band right now. Keeping it ZEF.
8. Make-up was a happy accident. Self taught and still loving it to do this day.
9. My actual phobia: anyone self harming (cutting). I really can't watch/hear anything to do with it - fictional or not. It makes me feel kind of faint and sick.
10. I collect fashion/make-up publications, coffee table books, patterned tins/boxes and anything done by Illustrators I admire.
11. Totally into high fashion - but I don't really show it with my own personal style. 
12. I have the most awesome friends ever - so lucky to have such amazing individuals in my life.
13. My favourite fruit are nectarines.
14. 'Currently' a pescaterian. I lasted 2 months last year (for fun) and I've decided to start again this year - hopefully I'll last longer or for life maybe? :)
15. I'm pretty shy and private in 'real life' - which is kind of ironic why I have a blog sharing everything about myself to the world. 
16. I hide behind my shy-ness and low confidence by hanging around with really loud and outgoing people. FYI friends: I'm not using you - I do like you anyway.
17. I'm an introvert. SURPRISE. 
18. I HATE it when people tell me they are "bored". 
19. Serious workaholic once I get going. I choose work over play A LOT. 
20. I have 10 piercings :)
21. I love watching documentaries and really trashy reality TV programmes... I know tell me about contrast and having no taste ;)
22. Marc Jacobs is my favourite fashion designer, but I also love Riccardo Tisci and Gareth Pugh.
23. I don't like celebrating my own birthday. It's too ME-CENTRIC and I hate attention.
24. I can't drink coffee anymore and this saddens me.
25. I get really spray happy with perfume.

Hey guys, I thought I'd do a fun facts about me this week so you get to know me a bit better - some of these you might know about already (my excessive fan girling of Die Antwoord) and some might be news to you today.

L.F DOES A/W - ROYAL BLUES

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LARA STONE FOR VOGUE PARIS BY STEVEN KLEIN

This screams A/W with the clash of brash silver and deep berry toned lips. 

 I took the blue undertone eye and dark berry lips as inspiration and the rest I just went with the flow.

Webcam whore shot but you see the make-up :)

KEY PRODUCTS:

SLEEK EYESHADOW PALETTE - BAD GIRL

REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPSTICK - BLACK CHERRY 

Hey guys, another unwearable look this week! I got the A/W bug and deep vampy lips with navy inky eyes was the theme of the day. As you can see there our similarities between the source image and my interpretation - I've just chosen to exaggerate features and proportions.

What do you think of this weeks look? I might do something more wearable next week.... who knows!

L.F DOES A/W - CONTRADICTION

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Intense eyes with bleached brows and muted lips and razor sharp cheekbones. LOVE. And slightly jealous. 

I look pretty moody. Weird mix of intense Gothic/Arabic style eye with the kitsch pop eyebrows. Opposites attract right?

The pink undertones are more prominent here :)

KEY PRODUCTS:

LOUISE GRAY FOR TOPSHOP SEQUINS

DANIEL SANDLER WATER COLOUR CREME-ROUGE BLUSHER - SOFT PINK

BOBBI BROWN LONG-WEAR GEL EYELINER - BLACK INK

NARS BLUSHER - TORRID

SUGARPILL PRESSED EYE-SHADOW - LOVE+

LANCOME L'ABSOLU NU LIPSTICK - 302

LAURA MERCIER SECRET CAMOUFLAGE - SC 3

LAURA MERCIER EYE-SHADOW - SPARKLING DEW

MAC PAINT POT - BARE STUDY

THE BALM MARY-LOU MANIZER THE LUMINIZER

Hey guys, I'm back with another 'interesting' look this week. I thought I'd do something different with the eyes, as I tend to change the appearance by making them appear larger than emphasizing my natural narrower shape. The more feline heavily defined shape is not something I'd do in real life but if you have a different eye shape to me, this way of defining your eyes will have a greater impact. I initially left the brows alone but it lacked something.... and the obvious route was to rock out the sequins and glitz! I 'bleached' my brows out first and using the sequins created an outline - it's subtle but without saying POW.The rest of my face was left pretty neutral with a soft pink to tie everything together.
What do you guys think of my combination? And I start uni (final year) this Monday. ARGHHH. 

L.F DOES A/W - SMOKE BOMB

I never hide my obsession with John Galliano and Pat McGrath. I love the power of transformation with make-up, and these theatrical characters are magical.

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This was actually my initial starting points. You can seethe remnants of the burnt rust shades before I went wild.

One of the lashes is a bit too long and drags the eye down but otherwise I like the anarchy of it all.

KEY PRODUCTS:
REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPSTICK - BLACK CHERRY
MAYBELLINE EYESTUDIO LASTING DRAMA GEL EYELINER
MAKE UP  FOR EVER EYESHADOW - 39
SUGARPILL EYESHADOW - BUTTERCUPCAKE AND LOVE+
THEBALM MARY LOU MANIZER LUMINIZER

Hey guys, I'm finally back with a look. I know I say this a lot but I *actually* did plan to do a wearable look, but having YouTube videos in the background I soon got the creative buzz and the brushes took over. There's a lot of black and my house mate said it reminded him of a bomb or fireworks with the splashes odd sporadic hints of colour. It's a heavy look but the 'soft' brush feathering edges makes it less harsh. Kind of my a smokey eye mask of some sorts.
Hope you guys like this :)

L.F RAMBLES - SORRY

ORLA KIELY FOR TESCO JUTE BAG
Perfect for someone who likes recycling and loves prints.... me! It's very sturdy and a good size. It's actually become my gym bag haha.

MEL BY MELISSA 
Yes. Another pair of shoes. These are the best shoes ever though - cute design and super comfortable

THE BALM MARY LOU MANIZER LUMINIZER
I actually tested this product on a photo shoot (from another MUA's kit) and fell in love with it!

It gives an incredible shine/glow without glitter. Hyper real skin = need this.

Hey guys, really sorry for the lack of posts. I feel guilty every time a week goes past and I've not done a look for you guys, but I've just been really knackered from work and playing with make-up is the last thing on my mind when I return home.... zoning out and eating food is though!

I've been really lucky my manager has given me some pretty solid hours since I started, and next week I start 6 - 11 (OH MA GAWWD) for 10 days, so in theory the early start will mean I'll have the rest of the day to be super productive and do some looks.

Sorry for being a crappy blogger.