L.F DOES A/W - COOL TONE

McQueen woman - strong yet innocent. Somewhere in the darkness there's always beauty and elegance. Am I making any sense or is this just fashion nonsense? Probably the latter. 

SOURCE

SOURCE
I was initially drawn the the use of gold and silver against this warm ochre winged haze. The face and lips were paled down and paired with a bruised cheek stain.

No brows just highlights how I have zero facial definition *le sigh*

My interpretation is very a cool toned version and the wing of the eye is less heightened. The overall undertone gives a more corpse-like vibe but it's interesting to do a fashion take on looking dead whilst playing around with metallics. Gold and silver make a good pairing!

KEY PRODUCTS:

MUFE FLASH COLOUR - GOLD AND SILVER

MAC PAINT POT - GROUNDWORK

MAC EYESHADOW - ESPRESSO

MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH - LIGHT FLUSH

CONCEALER FOR BROWS AND LASHES

Hey guys, so last weeks look was kind of a 'pretty' and feminine, so it's only natural I do the complete opposite this week. It's a bit haunting and not so much beauty enhancing, but it's a fashion take on a looking like a corpse. I mainly focused on the juxtaposition of gold and silver, with a mirage of cool earth tones to bring some sort of definition and structure.

Hope you like it. Also a bit random but I got aggressively verbally abused by some random man today, and even though I don't know the guy and everything he said should be meaningless because it's all untrue, I was really shaken up. Sucks being at the wrong time and place sometimes. 

L.F DOES A/W - LINE ART

SOURCE

SOURCE

Simple but effective. Easy nod to the mods.

I look like a alien! Anyway I would of preferred the lower lash lines to be more straight and less angled. Next time! They look more crazy here.

Rocking the 60s in my pajamas. HOT. 

KEY PRODUCTS:

BOBBI BROWN LONG-WEAR GEL EYELINER - BLACK INK

BLACK EYE-SHADOW

GOSH EXTREME ART EYE LINER - 26

MAC POWDER - TAUPE

MAC LIPSTICK - FANFARE

Hey guys, so this week is another interpretation of the 60s. I know, I'm obsessed! The main feature is the 3 straight drawn on lower lash lines. My lines could be more straighter, but you get the idea. I also added some glitter liner on top just to liven things up. It's graphic, bold and fun!

To work out my lines, I use gel eyeliner to map out the shape and to soften I go over with a black eye-shadow to give a softer diffused edge.

Hope you like it and give it a go :)

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 DOES A/W - POWER BROW

SOURCE

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 DOES A/W - ROYAL BLUES

SOURCE

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

SOURCE
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.

SOURCE

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 DOES S/S - GOING BACK TO NATURE

SOURCE

I love this fragile petal armoured mask. 

My more subtle take on going all au natural. And I have weird eyes going on.

KEY PRODUCTS:

MAC LIPSTICK - HONEYLOVE

CONTOUR CREAM/POWDER

BECCA EYEBROW POWDER - ASH

FLOWERS

DUO ADHESIVE

Hey guys, this week I'm going back to basics, and incorporating in some mother nature. If you do intend on recreating this/doing this on a model, you should probably plan what flowers/plants to use and how they would structurally work on the face. I was working on the existing flowers I had in the house, so I just worked with what I had. I was lacking on petals so I decided to make a feature of one side and on the other have more of the buds, and with the power of duo adhesive - I'm some sort of flower hippy! The rest of the face I kept very clean and minimal with some highlighting and contouring.

So I've used flowers, thread, gems.... what else is on the list?

L.F DOES S/S - COLOUR SURGE

SOURCE

I was initially drawn to the block colours and the bold eyeliner stroke.

Rainbow.... ON MA FACE.
KEY PRODUCTS:
OCC LIP TAR -  RX
SUGARPILL COSMETICS PRESSED EYE-SHADOW -  BUTTERCUPCAKE, FLAMEPOINT, DOLLIPOP AND LOVE+
MAC EYE-SHADOW - AQUADISIAC, PASSIONATE AND BITTER

Hey guys, back in full colour force. I need a 'stop' button sometimes, once I get going I just keep going and going and going and going. It's slightly drag/alien-ish but I just wanted to experiment colour - as you can see no doubt!
What do you guys think?

WEDDING BELLE

Beautiful Fiona!

KEY PRODUCTS:

SLEEK MAKEUP POUT POLISH - ELECTRO PEACH

BECCA BROW POWDER - ASH

MAC BRONZING POWDER - MATTE BRONZE

MAC POWDER BLUSH - SPRINGSHEEN

ILLAMASQUA SKIN BASE FOUNDATION

Hey guys, this is a quick post of my friend Fiona who has been on my blog a few times. It's really nice to catch up again and whilst on our girly day out in Manchester, I become the make-up 'expert' for the girls at Selfridges. Fiona is particularly interested in contouring and after browsing the halls we found MAC's bronzing powder in matte bronze to be a really good product for contouring - I'm pleasantly surprised too but there's no real orange-ness to it. A nice product for both bronzing and contouring if you are looking for a multi-use product.
Also a mention on Illamasqua's skin base, I introduced Fiona to the counter and we had a really pleasant experience (Trafford Centre). Fiona got matched up whilst she was learning about contouring and her skin afterwards was so FLAWLESS and her skin is quite problematic (eczema) - so a really good test. I used the foundation on the day of the wedding ceremony and I was really impressed with the application/finish/look.
I'm quite tempted to invest in these foundations for my kit. I can't speak for oily or combination skin but for dry to normal skin types, this foundation is worth trying!

L.F DOES S/S - PEARL GLOW

Peter Philips beautiful accompaniment to Lagerfeld's ocean wonderland. I remember first seeing this and being in total awe. Effortlessly elegant = Chanel.

SOURCE

Perfected skin with subtle placements of pearl detail adorning the face and and hair.

I wanted to play up the eyes more so I did some crease work with flashes of frost paired with winged eyeliner. For the lips I went for this bitten lip effect and used concealer to make them appear smaller.

I noticed a small smudge of mascara on the right pearl but otherwise I'm quite happy with the outcome. Has some kind of Elizabethan vibe?
KEY PRODUCTS:
PEARL STICKERS
DUO ADHESIVE
BEAUTE LIP STAIN - FEVER
MAC LIPSTICK - CYBER
ILLAMASQUA CREAM PIGMENT - HOLLOW

Hey guys, I guess a more tame look from me this week. I've had Chanel's S/S 2012 favourited on my 'to do' list for awhile and here it is. I'm usually drawn to more extreme transformations but the simplicity of the pearls adorned all over the model looks so chic and understated. I've changed a few elements but I hope you like it. 

L.F DOES S/S - TWO TONED LIPS

Sophie brought along another Illamasqua card, this time showing how to do a two toned lip. Lips is a territory I'm slowly getting into, so I wanted to try a new technique on Elly. 

Plain face Elly with just MAC's snob on.

 After! It's quite a heavy look with the full brows, eyes and lips.... but I think she pulls this off perfectly. The tones compliments her skin tone and enhances her existing features.

Flash shot to bring out the colours more.

KEY PRODUCTS:

MAC LIP PENCIL - VINO

NYX LIP PENCIL - PINKY

MAC EYE-SHADOW - GULF STREAM

ILLAMASQUA PURE PIGMENT - ALLUVIUM

MAC BLUSH - SPRINGSHEEN

Hey guys, so this is Elly's look! Elly showed me her purchase of Illamasqua's pure pigment in alluvium, which was this beautiful blue-purple shade and so blue smokey eye was the route I decided to go down for her. I used a few different tones to add depth and the teal blue running across the crease I think softens the whole look. I was a bit undecided on which colour way to go with the lips but I'm a total sucker for a dark lip and I wanted to use MAC's vino which was in Elly's make-up bag.

Do you guys like the transformations?

L.F DOES S/S - COLOUR AURA WITH S.K

Sophie came round with some Illamasqua look cards and the 'colour levitation' eye look inspired me to create a colourful smokey eye. I particularity like the use of orange used by Illamasqua, so that became the starting point for me.

Before! Thanks for braving the camera and internet :)

Candy-fairy iridescent goodness!

KEY PRODUCTS:

URBAN DECAY 24/7 GLIDE ON EYE PENCIL - ASPHYXIA

MAC PAINT POT - ROLLICKIN'

MAYBELLINE EYESTUDIO LASTING DRAMA GEL LINER

MAC REFLECTS TRANSPARENT TEAL

MAC EYE SHADOW - OFF THE PAGE, CREME DE VIOLET AND AQUADIASIC

Hey guys, last week my wonderful friends Sophie and Elly came round to be my models for the day. I got total free reign but they had mention they would be going out later, so it was in the back of my mind not to go too crazy. I've probably mentioned this before, but a special shout out to both of them for being really supportive about my interest in make-up. They've been encouraging and there for me since day one, so thank-you so much. It means a lot to me!

With my Illamasqua reference, I used the orange shade as a wash on the lids as the starting point and it just went from there. I wanted to play with colour but for it to be a softer interpretation I've gone down the candy route with the iridescent pastel tones. The use of MAC's reflects transparent teal really finished the look for me, but unfortunately you can see a little stray flecks about.

I hope you like this look and Elly's look will be up on here next.

PROM MAKE-UP - 28/06/13

My gorgeous client, her skin was AMAZING (butter soft and normal skin type = jealous). She has the most stunning facial structure and full lips too. A dream to work with!

After! Smokey brown eye with winged eyeliner to help even the lid shapes and soft blush on the cheeks with a wash of colour on the lips. I've noticed the lip shape is slightly uneven, I'm not sure if it was rubbed off whilst getting her hair done or my error. Not too much of a big deal because my client said she would use something of her own over...... but lesson of the day: double check. 

Hey guys, I didn't think I'd be doing a prom job this year, but out of the blue I got one. I always find it funny when a client asks for a 'natural' look but always shows me a really full on look as a reference. I just went with a look to enhance her features, but be 'glam' enough to be noticeable. Working on the eyes was a good learning curve too, because you might notice her eye lids are both completely different shapes - so the challenge was to use eyeliner and false eyelashes to even them up. I think she looks really beautiful and I'm just slightly annoyed at myself for the lip mishap.

Until next year for another prom job!

MAKEOVERS

Before

After!

I don't have a before photo but the client wanted to look very natural, so I just did subtle enhancements just to define the features slightly. 

My mum has been doing these makeover photo shoots for awhile for fun for her friends, and whilst I'm sticking around I've been roped into doing the make-up. You might see a few more of these if my mum keeps advertising them around to her friends.

NADA

My brows are finally starting to grow back fuller! DO NOT OVER PLUCK YOUR BROWS. Or be as deranged as me and aspire to recreate Fergie's brows. FML. My problem area is mainly my dark circles and uneven skin tone. I look tired... but it's me!

Less tired looking! And sporting tons of tricks of the trade.

Hey guys, I guess inspired by my mum I thought I'd show a before and after kind of thing after a meal out recently. I've been bare faced here before but I thought it would be nice to show how I look normally... flaws and all. It's ok! Patchy lip stain removal on the bare faced one though, sorry!

I obviously look better and feel more confident with make-up on, but it's also important to feel comfortable in your own skin. I know some people who REFUSE  to leave the house without anything on and to me that's such a shame.

L.F DOES S/S - PINK

Sophie Sumner for Beauty in Vogue by Miles Aldridge

Pink eyes, cheeks and face! I'm looking a bit hamster-like too here. 

Webcam captures the lower lip line highlighting detail.

KEY PRODUCTS:

SUGARPILL PRESSED EYESHADOW - FLAMEPOINT AND LOVE+

MAC EYESHADOW - PASSIONATE

MAC LIPSTICK - FANFARE

NARS BLUSHER - TORRID

Hey guys, back in Barbie style! I picked up May's Italian Vogue recently and I fell in love with Miles Aldridge's cover. Personally it reminds me of a pink pin-up esque look? With MEGA highlighting. The flashes of orange on the lid and mid lower lash line adds some neon summer fun.

Hope you guys like this, I'm currently back home in Leeds for awhile to sort some stuff out.... I KEEP GETTING REJECTED. I know you are not suppose to take these things personally, but it sucks!

L.F DOES S/S - PRIMARY COLOURS INSPIRED BY VAL GARLAND

Interview with Val Garland discussing how she started and her career highlights so far. I'm obviously nowhere near as talented as she is, but it's inspiring to hear how she's self taught and how her pure talent has paved into the amazing career she has today. I know I sound slightly in awe. I am. 

SOURCE

One of the looks from makeup visionary Val Garland's recent global M·A·C master class tour. When I first saw this look I just KNEW I had to recreate it. Blocks of sporadic primary colours contrasted with beautiful black flow of lines. So simple, yet so striking.  

I think I'm particularly fond of the lips. It's like pop art meets Picasso.

KEY PRODUCTS:

MUFE FLASH COLOUR - BLACK, RED, YELLOW AND TURQUOISE

Hey guys, this is just a quick look I did whilst playing around which I really really enjoyed doing. I obviously had Garland's reference in the background but there's an organic painter-like style with this look which I found quite relaxing to do - it didn't have to be perfect, more about conveying an emotion. I've done a previous look inspired by her work here you can check out.
VAL GARLAND YOU ARE A LEGEND! Please let me intern/assist with you one day!