The BIG Day!

Aloha,

Jamie will be back with you on Wednesday so today you have me (Susan) instead! Wedding season is well and truly in full swing and if your getting married well than lucky you....I'm gonna be giving you my best tips on the vital last minute things that will get you ready for the big day.

Preparation is key. You want to be looking your best on your big day so ideally you will have had been on a strict skincare routine in the run up to the wedding. Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, eye cream and SPF are the essentials. A week before your wedding scrub your skin to remove any dead cells that could hamper your makeup....from then on out you need to be on your best behaviour to prevent break outs....no picking....plenty of water and most of all try control your diet! Much easier said than done when its a very stressful time. If you are unsure of what skincare to be using, I would recommend visiting a spa and having a facial or alternatively go to a beauty counter that is geared towards skin and speak to an experienced consultant. Do your research online (more on that later).

Last minute prep on the big day before your makeup artist arrives is very fuss free. Use a lip scrub (Lush is my fave) and apply a balm afterwards to hydrate lips as we want that pout perfect especially if your going for a stronger colour like reds. You probably searched high and low for your makeup artist and without a doubt he/she is the bees knees but there is a few things that are essential to your wedding makeup that you definitely want to make sure are included. Primer is key to making sure your makeup lasts all day and prevents oil so you don't look shiny in your photographs. Avoid SPF at all costs as it can flash back in photography and give you the white face and tanned body look...not good. Eye primer is also essential to the longevity of your makeup, it will prevent shadows from creasing and will make colours appear much brighter. Ask your MUA to set your makeup with a setting spray rather than a powder and that way if all else fails you know you have something to fall back on (trust Urban Decay on this one) and your skin won't look overly dry or cake-y.

Not neglecting your body, make sure to scrub your skin once/twice a week to make sure it is in super condition if you decide to wear false tan. Add a moisturiser afterwards as this will prevent the tan from sticking to dry patches. 

Weddings can be super expensive but they can also be a learning curve when it comes to skincare and makeup. If you know your getting married in a year or twos time why not ask family and friends for your birthday, Christmas, anniversary etc to receive vouchers instead of gifts. And then when you have had your makeup trial you have the money there to buy all the bits'n'bobs you've seen a professional use and you can learn a few tips along the way on how to use them. 

So I think I have waffled enough so I'm gonna leave it there for now but I will come back to this topic at a later stage to tell you my top secret, tried and true best skincare products to get your skin in perfect nick for your big day! 

Love,

S

The new kid on the block; "Strobing"

From the top, let me apologise for being absent last week. I shirked all responsibilities and took a week off work and blogging, as you do! Of course yous missed me like crazy, so naturally enough I have some making up to do.

During my week away from functioning as an actual human being I was plenty busy catching up on Youtube and Instagram. The latter brought my attention to a technique knowing as "Strobing". Me being the beauty addict that I am, I looked into it further. The look consists of a sheer to medium coverage base with highlighting products placed on the high points of the face. What this does is reflect light only where you've applied the product to subtly lift and define the features. The skin appears healthy and dewy while the face still has dimension, but without heavy contouring. Where possible, people tend to use cream highlighters to maintain a natural, seamless finish. The whole idea is to shape the face without using a lot of product.

Some are heralding this as a new-found miracle, while others are of the opinion that this has been around for ages and we were all too busy contouring ourselves and hiding our true identities behind full coverage foundation that we didn't even think about lightweight, translucent wondrousness.

Personally, I think this is a classic marketing routine that happens every year. Summer trends very rarely wander off a certain track. You have tinted moisturisers, BB creams, sheer lip and cheek colours (usually creams and gels) all coming out around the same time. To me this make sense as no one wants to be wearing a full face of war paint in upwards of 25 degree heat. Talk about creating a rod for your skincare routine.

The clever clogs behind advertising and retail promotion have to find new ways to excite us year in and year out to ensure that we continue to buy these new products. "Strobing" is this year's answer to "dewy skin","illuminated skin," "a natural sunlit glow", "a healthy sheen" ad infinitum. I think the name is really appropriate given that seventies disco glamour is definitely back with a bang (as made evident by MAC's upcoming "Le Discko" collection and the current fashion trends we're seeing) so why not call to mind disco lighting and the gorgeous seventies glow that made everyone look so soft focus and sultry?

Whatever name is being put on it, I'm in. I love it. I love everything about strategically highlighting the skin so that you look radiant and glossy. I love pairing it with bronzer and looking like the sun loves me. With that said, let me show you some of the tips and tricks I have for using different kinds of highlight this summer so that you can get'cha glow on!

Shown above; MAC Mineralize Skinfinsh in "Lightscapade", Sleek Makeup Precious Metals Highlighting palette and Benefit Cosmetics' "High Beam"

When doing this look you want to take three things into consideration; the Formula, the Placement, and the Finish. 

Formula. 

As I mentioned in a previous post about foundation, the formula of a product is how it comes in the packaging. You have three main formulas for highlighters and illuminators; powder, cream and liquid. All three have different benefits and different ways to be used. 

• Powder; These products last the longest on the skin. They're best suited for oily skins or those who want their make up to stay put as long as possible. These are best used after you've set your base with a powder, or directly over a matte base. This will stop the product underneath from catching and will help with blending. 
• Cream; These products tend to have the most colour intensity and pay off. These are best used over the top of your base, but definitely don't use powder under these. The cream will melt into the liquid or cream you have on underneath and give you a really natural, seamless blend. Best used over something that doesn't set matte. These work really well to add luminosity to dry and dull skin.
• Liquid; These babies can generally be used under or over your base. Some can even be mixed into the foundation to add a less intense all-over glow. Again, I would use these without any powder underneath and I'd steer clear of using them over anything that sets to a matte finish. Liquid highlighters tend to look softer than cream versions but will add similar oomph to a thirsty, dull skin. 

Placement.

Where you place the product is going to make a big difference, similar to contouring. You want to bring forward the highest points of the face but keep everything in proportion. The best places to highlight are the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, just above the arch of the eyebrow, the bridge of the nose and the cupids bow. 

What you want to do is make sure that you're applying the right amount to each area. For example if you wanted to make your nose appear slimmer, apply a thin line down the centre of the nose. This will make the nose appear as though it comes to a thinner "peak" across the bridge. Similarly if you felt that adding highlighter above the brow wouldn't suit your features then by all means skip that part. 

Even without deeper shades to carve out the hollows of the face, we're still shaping with this technique. There are plenty of contouring guides across the wide, wide web. I'd totally recommend checking them out, but pay more attention to where you're highlighting and lifting rather than hollowing out. A little trick I love is to use a matte powder, either translucent or matching your base, where you don't want shine. This will help to contain the glow to those more complimentary locations. 

Finish.

The last thing to think about is the "finish" or how the products look on the skin. Do you want a high intensity sheen? Are you comfortable with something a bit more low key with a soft, satin glow instead? Is it a appropriate to receive Holy Communion looking practically bio-luminescent? Just some things to consider...  

If you're a little bit more timid, work with small increments of product. I always say you're better off starting small and building your colour and intensity rather than applying too much and wearing the face off yourself with a wipe trying to put things back in order. I'd recommend a powder highlighter to anyone looking for something more natural.

On the opposite end of the scale, if God-like glow is your thing then definitely check out cream illuminators. They blend gorgeously into the skin but impart far more sheen and shimmer than other fomulations in my experience. But do be careful and start with less than you think you need. These blend really well and can sometimes get out of hand. A little practice will set you right, though. 

With all of that said and done the only other advice I can offer you is just to jump in the deep end, bag yourself the necessary products and give it a go! This look is one that anybody can wear and it will look absolutely knockout, don't be afraid of the light! 

If you do give this a go please please pleeeease tag us on twiiter @threescompanybb or Instagram @threescompanybeauty and let us see!

Until next time,

glow get 'em! (Pun central...)

J x 

Festival Makeup Tutorial!

Its 23:49pm on a Monday evening, I couldn't think of a better time to share with you our latest makeup tutorial. Festival makeup looks, outfits, survival guides yadda yadda yadda.... the Internet is literally inundated with them at the moment because we are right in the middle of festival season. So what did we do...hopped on the bandwagon of course to bring you this deadly (if I do say so myself) makeup tutorial that involves temporary tattoos, reliving our youth but with a little more sophistication!

There will be a review of these temporary tattoos coming up at some stage over the next week and a sneak peak of some designs! Until then though sit back relax and enjoy this tutorial. If you have any questions on colours or anything sure pop me a comment below! 

Love,

S x

Wingin' it: Top tips for applying winged liquid/gel eyeliner.

'Ello!

Monday has rolled around again and I'm back. After a couple of weeks of skin related posts I'm bringing you more make up this time around. Today I'll be going through how I apply gel or liquid liner. I'll be including some tips and tricks along the way, as well as products I would recommend! Let's get down to business...

The first thing to think about is what product you prefer to use. I prefer a gel as I find it's easier to create a smooth line with this type of product. The formula is a little bit thicker and doesn't smudge as easily as a liquid. However, if liquid is your thing then by all means go hell for leather with that!

If you're using a gel like me then nine times out of ten it'll come in a small pot. You can use either an angled or pointed liner brush to apply this. I prefer to use an angled brush (I used Inglot's 31T brush for this particular look) as the flat edge creates a smooth line for you. I also used Inglot's #77 gel liner. It's matte black and waterproof, so it's a must have for keeping your liner looking fresh all day. Once you nail down what you want to use, it's time to start the application.

• Start by following your lower water line and applying a line of product. The water line is the ledge of skin just above your lower lashes. By following the curve that this creates you'll find the most complimentary angle for your eye shape. Everyone's eyes are relatively close in shape so this will help create an even angle for both wings. 
• Create a line towards the eyelid, aiming for your top lashes. You want to create a lifted triangle from your lash line to the end of your liner. This will be the body of your wing. By starting this line just away from the end of the first one you applied, you keep the thin and pointed tip on your wing. 

• Next I take my liner right into my inner corner and lift it up along my lid. I use less product here and keep it nice and thin at the beginning. You can always build this up later if you want it thicker. 
• Next is the part where I take my line across the top lash line! By doing this last I already have the width of my liner determined by the wing and the inner corner. I find that this stops the liner from becoming thicker than I intended. As before, you can always build on top of this later if you prefer. 

• The last thing I do is fill in the space left between the top of my line and my lashes. I take my time here and make sure I have enough liner pushed down into my lashes so that no skin is showing between my lashes and my liner. You can use this step to add any thickness to your liner or tweak the shape. You'll see the overall shape once it's filled in completely, so I'd say wait until this step before you add on to it. 

Another little goodie worth mentioning is Duraline by Inglot. It's a mixing medium that you add to any gel liner to make it more liquid. This product is absolutely genius! Manys the time this has saved a dried liner in my kit and extended the life of it by miles. You literally only need the tiniest bit though, so do be careful. You can also use this to clean up and sharpen your eye liner once you're finished. Take it on a flat concealer brush and run it against the wing of your liner for a clean, crisp finish.

Of course there are many different liner products and brushes that you can use to achieve a gorgeous finish. Have a little shop around and a little play with some bits and pieces. By finding a product that works well you'll have half the job done before you even start.

If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Any feedback would also be really appreciated, let me know what you'd like to see! We have some fab posts planned for the coming weeks so I'm really excited for them to go live. 

Until next time,

J x 

Where To Invest?

I'm back and back with a bang none the less. I had to take a slight hiatus last week due to a very poorly dog who is currently in my lap having a power snooze as I write this post. But lets move on... following Jamie's post on Monday all about looking after your skin I thought I share with you the area's I like to spend my hard earned cash on. When it comes to makeup and skin care its easy to settle for less than the best but there are a certain few areas that I will always spend that little more on!

• Skincare - Cleanser and Moisturiser

Your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath and using a good cleanser and moisturiser will make a huge difference to your skin. Choosing the correct products for your skin type is key so if your unsure pop to your local department store and fish around the skincare counters and ask for some advice! And the three most essential things...water, SPF and taking your makeup off which might mean two cleansers so be it! You're skin is with you for life so it is worth the investment and make sure you bring that moisturiser down the neck too, it holds your face up so don't neglect it! 

• Foundation

Similarly to above, choosing a good foundation will show off your skin in the best light. Texture and colour are key. Foundation can be 'spensive so if your unsure, start from the bottom by visiting makeup counters and getting samples to try. When you find "The One" everything else that goes on top should just fall into place! If your not comfortable spending too much on a foundation that you wear everyday and will more than likely fly through in no time, why not keep it for special occasions or nights out? Then scouring the self selection aisle in Boots to find the one that will take you through the day/work. 

• Mascara

Give a girl the right mascara and she can conquer the world. Length, volume and curl....I want it all and believe you me I have a mascara graveyard to prove it. Mascara's can cost between a few euro right up to the price of a meal for 2 so it can be an expensive treasure hunt. But if your like me and your days off consist of only a tinted moisturiser and a mascara they are worth it, it can take me from tired to bright eyed and bushy tailed in one step! 

They are just a few things that I don't mind dishing out for! What are the items you spend the most on or do you think you can find just as good in budget brands? Let me know in the comments..

Love,

S and Paddy. x