Purple & Teal Reverse Cut Crease!

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the week than with a new fabliss video! This month Jamie has been super inspired by all the people he follows on Instagram so he whipped up this little number that is a mash up of all the looks he liked in one. Its bright and bold with a touch of a lower lash. We aren't listing all the products used with this one so if they're something you want to know pop us a comment or a tweet and we can get back to you.

I personally think this would be the perfect makeup look if you were going to a festival this Summer. All that is missing is a floral headband, band tee and some cut off denim shorts. So let's cut to the video and leave the waffling for another day...

        

Make sure you pop back on Wednesday for our next post, it's one not to be missed especially if your a bride to be! *SPOILER ALERT*

Until next time,
S x

So you wanna blend in?

Good afternoon, folks!

It's Monday again and I'm firmly anchored in front of the keyboard with an ever faithful cup of coffee and another post for you guys.

This week I'll be going through four easy tips on blending powder products. They could be eye shadows, blushers, bronzers or highlighters, it's up to yourself. With the right techniques you can take make up from any price point and end up with a polished and perfected finish. It just takes a little bit of practice and the right steps. A bucket full of Nescafé Gold Blend is optional, but preferable in early morning scenarios. Anyway...

Tip #1. Set the area with a matte powder.

For the eyes I recommend using a matte shadow in a similar colour to your skin. For cheeks you can simply set the area with a setting powder of your choice. Even if you've primed the eye area, or used a matte foundation, there can still be areas where creams or liquids haven't fully set. These areas can cling to the product you blend over the top and leave them looking patchy and darker in certain areas. You only need a light dusting of matte powder to stop this from happening. Preping the area like this is the first step to getting your blending on the next level.

Tip #2. Use brushes that are different sizes and densities. 

This step is mostly applicable to the eye area as we tend to use more products there, but if you're like me and you have your heart scalded trying to soften the edge of a bronzer or blush then this might be up your alley! Using a larger and softer brush to apply your product first will give you a lighter finish and a cleaner edge. You can then use a smaller and denser brush to concentrate the colour where you want it most. 

Be careful not to put too much product on your brush to begin with. Start with a small amount of product and build up for a more polished finish. Using different brushes ties in perfectly with our next tip, which is...

Tip #3. Use a lighter "transition" colour . 

A transition colour is a tone that sits between the lightest and darkest shade you want to use. This step is the crucial step for making your blending look out of this world. When using eye shadow you can take two colours in the same family and buff the lighter colour onto the eye first. Follow up with your darker colour and you'll see it instantly diffuse and soften into the transition shade. On the skin, the most common way to do this is to use a bronzer or blush and follow up with a cooler, deeper colour to contour. 

Using a larger brush to apply your transition shade will blend the colour over a larger area. You can then use your smaller brush to go in and concentrate your darker colour in a specific area to add depth. 

Tip #4. Blend your textures!

When we talk about the texture of a product, we mean how it looks when it's on the skin (matte, dewy, frosted, satin sheen, etc.) Some eye shadows and blushes have a sheen to them. If you ever try them you'll probably have a really easy time blending them out. Products with a little shimmer in them tend to be easier to soften, so why not use this to your advantage? This step is optional and might not be everyone's cup of tea. If you want to take your make up one step further for an event then adding an element of sparkle will do the job rightly!

For this I'd recommend using your matte products first and following with anything that contains shine for a really perfected finish. Using a matte contour colour, a blush with a soft sheen and an illuminating powder highlighter gives the cheek such a gorgeous finish. On the eyes, layering a colour with some shimmer over the lid will soften the transition from a matte crease colour to a highlighted lid and tear duct area. 

While we're here I'd suggest avoiding products with any shine to contour the face or eye socket. Frosted colours reflect light and this goes against the purpose of contouring, but sure we'll cover that at some point in the future!

So my lovelies, those are my four essential techniques that I use every day, on every face, every time. You don't have to spend an unholy amount of time and money to get a decent finish, just practice and invest in some good tools and staple products that you can use day in, day out. The rest, mes amis, is up to you.

As always (I can hear one or two of you yawning because you know what's coming) feel free to give us a shout here, on Instagram or on our YouTube channel with any questions or queries that you have. 

Until next time,

J x 

Get To Know Us A Little Better

Happy Wednesday!

Today we have another video for you and its a little bit more personal, it's a "Get To Know Us Tag". We have compiled a list of a few popular tag questions and filmed a little video and hilarity did ensue! As you can see we are three very different personalities, if it wasn't for the love of makeup god knows what we would talk about - I jest. So grab a cuppa sit back and enjoy!

.....Also if you got as far as the celeb lookalikes this is the picture we were talking about!

Until next time, 

S x

Prepped, Primed and Perfected: All about primer.

Good morning!

It's Monday. I'm up. I have a bucket of coffee and a list of some of my favourite priming products for you guys. Today I'm going to be going through what primers do, how to use them, and also give you some information on particular products that have worked really well for me. I have my homework done, let's get cracking!

First of all, lets talk about what a "primer" is. A primer is a product used after skincare but before foundation to correct any imbalances or issues with the skin. These products usually correct high colouring, excess oil or dryness in the skin among other things.

Primers are generaqlly cream, gel or liquid and are best applied with fingers and gently massaged into the skin.  Some primers can be worn alone to combat particular problems without layering make up on top.

A product might not have "Primer" on the lable but that doesn't mean it won't work brilliantly at this stage. I'll talk about this when we come to particular products below. I don't currently own (but have tried and loved!) all of the items listed below so I have links to where these products can be viewed and purchased if you feel so inclined. On we go!

Smashbox Photo Finish Light. 
Best for: Oily Skin.

This primer is one of many that uses silicone ingedients. Silicone, when used in cosmetics, gives them a nice silky texture and can absorb any excess oil. The more silicone, the thicker the formula and the softer the feel. This products is a thinner fluid, but I like that. It doesn't create a build up of excess product on oily skin, and is a staple for summer months. For combination skin where oiliness isn't so prominent, the original Photo Finish formula might be worth looking at.

To view this product, click here.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil
Best for: Dehydrated skin.

I love this product for normal/dry combination skin or dehydrated skin. This product contains glycerin which is amazing for lightweight hydration without being greasy as it infuses the skin with water instead of oil. Hydra Veil comes in a very cool looking pot with a small spatula to spoon the product onto your hand/palette. Hygiene was definitely a focal point for this one.

This is one of this products you can also incorporate into your skin care for days when make up isn't on the agenda. I love this if I have a little bit of sunburn across my nose, it's so soothing and stops my foundation irritating those areas. Illamasqua also do a Matte Veil primer for oily skins.

For more on Hydra Veil click here.

MAC Strobe Cream. 
Best for: Dry, dull skin.

This is one of those products that isn't called a primer, but works amazingly to prep dry or mature skin for foundation. This is a moisturising cream that contains a little bit of silicone for a nice silky slip, as well as multiple plant extracts like apple, grape and green tea. The best thing about this product is the pearl sheen it contains. Strobe Cream illuminates the skin immediately and creates a soft glow through foundation. It can also be layered over creamier foundations as a cream highlight. I love Strobe Cream for mature skin as it adds a healthy glow. Kudos for the fresh scent as well. (You'll know it as soon as you open the bottle, every MAC store smells like this and Fix+ )

To visit the MAC website and have a closer look at Strobe Cream go here.

No7 Brilliantly Bare Beauty Enhancer
Best for: Normal/Combination skin.

This product is fabulous. It's a light weight, silicone based product with a yellow tint. When blended into the skin you don't see any of that yellow, but on warmer skin tones it adds a soft and subtle glow. One thing I love about it is that it balances minor redness in the skin really well. Using a green base to correct redness can be too intense in some cases. The true yellow tone of this balm will balance skin tone and you can cover it really well without leaving an ashy cast to the skin. Because of the silicone this product also helps to hide pores.

For more on this little gem, check it out here

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray
Best for: Oily skin.

Even though this is a setting spray you can use this guy before your foundation. Spritz De-Slick before your foundation to help control oil but with a really lightweight texture (again, summer must have for me!) and then when you're finished to lock it in. If I'm using a powder foundation, I use it underneath and buff the product over the top. I find it gives my under eye concealer something to blend into really smoothly. When I use liquid foundation and set with powder, I spray on top to take down the look of powder (I'm a setting powder fiend. I don't plan on changing my ways) and hold my make up in place. The aloe extract in this makes it nice and refreshing on the skin.

If you want a little nosey at this one, pop over here.


And that is where I stop for today! I've tried to include a varied range of skin types without being too broad and keeping you here forever. This is by no means the be all and end all of amazing primers, there's plenty more I want to get my greedy little paws on. These are just some that I've tried, loved, and would reach for again.

As always if you have any further questions on these products or want more information on priming the skin in general definitely get back to us and we'll do our best to arm you with helpful hints and info.

Until next time,
J x