ITS IN THE BAG!

New services from your local MUA


Does your makeup bag resemble that of a 1980's makeup studio? Chipped packages, chalky pastel eye shadows you haven't dared to look at since 1994 and lipstick that smells like a crayon and looks nuclear?  Answered Yes to any of the above? Well its time to clean up, crusty makeup bags don't scream 'I take care of my look' they just scare me to be honest.

We all know the bag in question, a few pencil sharpening's lurking in the fluffy dark corners of the bag. Bags that our eyeliners have taken it upon themselves to graffiti and then very naughtily loose their lids! Brushes that are so caked in years worth of product they barely resemble what they once did. We just stare at the poor brush wondering if its a blusher brush or a paint brush. They should hold their shape, be soft and not feel like your applying your products with a toilet brush!

We all have a set few products we like and those few purchases we were practically forced to buy by very charming counter sales staff.
Well its time to shake out the rubbish. Anything that's divided, has cracked packages, smells like crayons BIN! I'm very happy to help you figure out what's helpful and what's just gross!

Have you been lured into the expensive counter purchases? Sashayed out of the department store with that smug 'I'm finally sorted, but shit I've spent my rent' face?
Yes? well I may be able to help with that too.

First - Get rid of makeup that's old. Most have use by dates on, or a 12m, 6m symbol on! Be ruthless with your 30 year old brushes too....sometimes you just have to let go and re-invest.
Second - Either book a 'Teach me what to do' night, or 'Take me shopping', yes, I'll go with you. I'll by-pass the sales army and kit you out sensibly using a variety of brands to suit your budget & skin.
Third - If you've made a wild purchase only to realise that actually what you were sold isn't for you but that pesky receipt is out of date, let me know. I offer a 'Buy off' service, as long as the product is under 2 months old from purchase, isn't damaged....and I need it, I'll make you an offer.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

......I currently have my sisters cat sat behind me moaning for food, I shall persevere and write about my love for the Urban Decay Naked palette.
As a Make up artist I would advise all budding artists to invest in these palette's. I use this on almost all of my brides for weddings and ladies on nights out who don't wish to dabble with bright colours (I however love to).
The colours have brilliant staying power and you can build them up to be as dense as you like. I do use the Urban Decay eye base with this too for that added staying power.
The variety of eye shadow colours are great and will suit almost everyone. You don't have to look at 'Creep'and 'Gunmetal' (last two dark colours) and wince. Why not just smudge these into the lash line if you don't fancy a full on 'night out' look with them! This will enhance your eyes without the 'look at me' vibe you get from a smokey eye look. Simply line your eye with kohl and use a slanted brush/smudger to work these colours into the lash line. Please note; either leave your foundation until last so you can clean up any fall out, or pop a tissue under your lower lashes to catch any pesky dark pigments.
For a smokey look I would pop on a cream base on the eyelid and gently work up the colour, if your eyes are a tad on the deep set side, open the eyes back up by popping a touch of 'Sin' (second one from left) on the inner corners of your eye and build up 'Creep' (darkest one) on the outer corner of the eye.

I use 'Half baked' (gold one) right in the centre of my eyelid to enhance blue/green eye colour. 'Virgin' (1st colour on left) I use under the brow bone to open and lift the eye and on the inner corner.
I fill in blond brows with 'Naked' and 'Buck' (the two matte brown colours)

The options are endless with this palette. As a die hard MAC fan when I first started out in this industry I was a tad stubborn on 'liking' other brands in the eye shadow game but Urban Decay, Illamasqua, Ruby and Millie and tons more are really getting my vote as the years go on. I will pop make up looks and more reviews on other brands..watch this space.

n/b - the two paler colours don't really show on the arm, so it kind of starts from 'Naked' :(
1) Virgin
2) Sin
3) Naked
4) Sidecar
5) Buck
6) Half Baked
7) Smog
8) Darkhorse
9) Toasted
10) Hustle
11) Creep
12) Gunmetal


....now, to feed the cat Dreamies for a peaceful life :)

Make up Lane's Wardrobe

Make up Lane's Wardrobe

Here is a little insight into my make up wardrobe. I thought I'd show you all what I do each morning and what products I tend to use on myself.
The first image shows on half of the face done, minus lips and bronze,r and the other side of my face is butt naked..........
This look is is using a Avon BB sachet in beige that I had...its not shown in the picture. I forgot duh!

Anyway, the rest of the kit is there in the image below. For Monday I slapped on;

Avon BB cream in Beige - applied with foundation brush
MAC NC20 concealer - applied with finger (gently, don't drag it on!)
Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion - on eyelids..amazing stuff
Laura Mercier Universal powder - to set
Ruby & Millie bronzer - applied with angle brush
Virgin from Urban Decay Naked palette - over eyelids
MAC Feline kohl eyeliner - used to line waterline and fill in lash root (as you can see my eyelashes are super fair)
Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner pen - I love this little one
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara
Rimmel Kate 107 lipstick - stippled on, not heavily applied
Avon Sand Shine lip gloss - applied over the top of lipstick to gloss up
Brows filled in with the light brown eye shadow in Urban Decay naked palette - applied with Ruby & Millie flat brush

This look is quite classic and can easily be taken from day to night with some extra eyeliner and red gloss on top of lips! The debate is matte red or glossy red...personally I like to dabble with both looks depending on my mood :)

The products above are hopefully a wide enough variety, from Collection 2000 up to Laura Mercier. I try to give any brands a go and suit most budgets.

Keep an eye for the next installment.....<3

Tattoo Taboo

Tattoo Taboo

In a world or protest and uncertainty are we reaching back to
our Neolithic ancestors to find inspiration to join in the new
wave of tattooing and piercing that’s become bang on trend?
The catwalks have been awash with body art and piercing this
season with designers such as Givenchy and Marc Jacobs
sending models down the catwalk adorned in jewels and body
calligraphy.
This is partly due to the 90s comeback we've seen on the
catwalks along with plaid shirts and a bare mid-riff. It’s also
partly to do with fighting back and protesting. Piercings and
tattoos seem to have some new territory again for 2013.
I recently joined my sister on her latest trip to Tattoos by Fletch
in Chepstow for a new piece of body art, and asked myself,
why do we get pierced and tattooed? There are obviously
personal reasons, but we don’t put ourselves through this pain
for fashion do we?

‘Self-Self-expression’was my sister’s response.
‘Memorial, a love of art,’my boyfriend exclaimed.

I personally have no tattoos and it’s not because I don’t like them. Being a make-up artist I love art
in many forms. The talent and beauty in the pieces of art created by Fletch and various other tattoo
artists shouldn't be shrugged off.
Tattoos are a far cry from the clumpy, green tinged ones of the 70s. You only have to watch ‘LA Ink,
Miami Ink’ to see the amazing creations that can be embedded onto one’s skin to appreciate the
talents and skills of these artists.
Having sat and watched Fletch carefully create Xina’s piece of art I had a nagging in my mind to do something. I was far too indecisive for a tattoo and being one to not miss out, I couldn't leave with nothing. So I had the top of my ear pierced. I first had this done as a teenager with said sister. She wanted to see if it
would hurt and decided to use me as the test dummy – Yes, it hurt but I loved it.
Unfortunately I lost the earring last year and it grew over. I've always had a sadness about the loss of my piercing, it was my little bit of rebellion from my teen years. Mainly because my mother would probably have had my bags packed had she known. Come to think of it, I’m not sure she knew about this new one!
I opted for the piercing on the other ear to celebrate the fact I could be a little bit brave and spontaneous, I can hear my sister laughing at my cowardliness now, no gun just a needle and a very great ear piercer Rich and I’m one jewel up again.

Change the routine!

Iv been on a little mission to help someone who thought they had oily skin to pep up her make up look.
She used to use just face wipes, followed by No7 intense serum. Her Make up was No7 Tinted moisturiser and L'oreal powder all in one sitting. It was starting to look heavy and sit on top of the skin causing it to get greasy.
Naturally, I got involved...firstly its looking at the skin, is it oily? or combination? If its combination and shes not moisturising her skin properly (common habit for those of you who think they have oily skin) her skin would then over produce its own oil to keep the skin lubricated. This is exactly what was happening! 

To start with I'm not a fan of face wipes but whatever suits you and your lifestyle is fine by me. So, I worked with what I could. First purchase was Botanics Organic Facial oil and second was Garnier BB tinted moisturiser. Yes her face was slightly miffed, me whipping away the army of products in place of OIL??? yes oil, its super nourishing and will feed the skin overnight.

Since using she's noticed the oily areas are calming down and the BB cream is all she needed on her face. No oily patches to powder over anymore. Her skin looks plumper, fresher, moisturised and vibrant. Her fine lines are reduced and she has a more even skin tone - yay another product convert! 

Gwen Stefani - inspiration

With the very recent release of No Doubts new album 'Push and Shove' its no wonder one of my favourite style icon's is being featured in pretty much every fashion publication this season. I love Gwen Stefani's style and the way she pushes the boundaries with her hair and make up looks. Suiting a lot of the vintage looks, you'll often see her sporting 40's victory roll's, 20/30's finger waves and her signature 40's red lips. Here I have put together some of my favourite images showing natural looks and signature ones - perhaps an inspiration to experiment with different make up and hair styles you may not have thought to try!

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Make up Base

.......is absolutely amazing!!!!

That's all there is to it, I've just recently purchased this beauty marvel and I love it.

Its promise;

Never greasy, skin prep for the smoothest make up application. Its oil free with Shea butter, carrot extract, vitamin A & vitamin C which all help minimise fine lines and wrinkles and protect against the environment.

It has such an amazing smell to it (no wonder with grapefruit and geranium extract), apply over clean face and watch it melt into the skin giving the most fabulous base for any make up look.
It literally sorts out the skin dilemmas which can effect a make up look. I use it on all my clients and myself (well it was £36!)  So if you are looking to treat yourself to a good skin base, make this your choice. I luckily  purchased this when John Lewis had a 20% off sale on beauty products so keep an eye out for these offers too.