To BB or not to BB?

One of the things I've always struggled with was foundation...


In my teens it was extremely orange and now in my 20's, I'm just not finding that I'm getting that 'glowing' finish that the adverts promise me. (I later learnt that those models on TV get it thanks to air brushing!)

So for us minions who don't have time to photoshop our faces on every single photo, there seems to be a new cure for our foundation woes...BB cream.


Now, I'm sure you've seen the adverts promising us beautiful, radiant skin. It's a craze that appears to have taken over Asia with the women there are buying BB cream by the bulk load! 


So what's so special about BB cream? Well, BB stands for blemish balm. It's basically a liquid product you put on your face before you put any make up on. For someone like myself who's only recently dabbled into the world of primers and bases, I'm interested in this magical cream.


Originally designed for patients who have undergone facial laser surgery, the effects of the cream were so impressive that it's now gone global. Before I recommend a product to you guys, I wanted to test it out. I spent the past week using Boots No7 BB cream in normal/oily. Every single time I applied make up and here is what I've found.


How much is the product?


- £12.95. For me this is expensive for a drugstore brand. I would expect to pay something along the lines of this for a MAC primer so it was a little pricey. Especially given the fact it's only 40ml.






What does the product promise?


- An all in one foundation, moisturiser, primer, plus 5* UVA & SPF 15 protection.


Does it meet it's promise?


- Firstly, it doesn't feel like a foundation. It's quite an oily based product and a little goes a long way. It definitely felt more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation. I like the idea of it having SPF 15 in it but to be honest, so does a lot of foundation products on the market.


Would you recommend using this product?


- This is where I'm not sure. I like using it and have found that by mixing it with my MAC studio sculpt foundation in NC25 that it gives me a good, fresh finish. However, if I didn't mix it with a foundation, it would look patchy, wouldn't cover any blemishes and would feel very shiny. So I do not feel this is a product I would recommend.




Overall I would give this a 3.5 out of 5. 


My hunt for the perfect foundation continues. I have receieved a sample of the new Chanel perfection Lumiere (in 20) which I adore however at £36 a bottle, it's a rather large investment! 


Any recommendations? 


Love Marissa xoxo

Golden Globes 2012

Now, I've never been a massive follower of award shows but since I couldn't sleep the night the Golden Globes was on, I thought I'd give it a try.



I could not pull myself away from watching all the celebrities arriving on the red carpet! I found myself checking out their make up, skin, dresses, jewellery! It was the exact same feeling as my year 11 prom. Minus my fail at '50's glamour.'


A lot of the blogs and magazines are arguing over who was best dressed that night. For me, the ultimate award should go to Zooey Deschanel. Now, I've always loved Zooey since 'Elf' and what I love about her most is her down to earth nature. She's a girl you just want to be friends with. (If you haven't already, check out New Girl on 4OD....hilarious!)


Many celebrities tried too hard at the Globes (Lea Michele I'm looking at you) but some, hit the nail right on the head. For me, Zooey was the ultimate Globe Girl. 


I found myself wanting to google '60's hair' immediately and I can't help but suspect we might be onto something here. For me, my favourite make up looks are the ones us 'normal' girls could wear. Zooeys look was absolute perfection. Not only are her eyes absolutely stunning, just look at her skin. Wowza.




How to get Zooeys Golden Globe look


Firstly, cleanse your skin. 


I would then start with the eye make up. As you want the eyeshadow to stay on for as long as possible, I would add a small amount of concealer or eyeshadow primer ( Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance is also good). Smooth it all over the lid.


Colour wise, it looks as if Zooeys make up artist used a slight grey/ light blue eyeshadow all over the lid so I would go for something such as MAC's Silver Gull. You want to use a slightly angled brush to hit the corner of the eyes. To add definition, I would use a very small amount of MAC's Carbon eyeshadow to create a very slight smokey eye. 


Zooey is known for her winged eyeliner and this is something to bare in mind for this look. I tend to do eyeliner in small and steady strokes. Don't be afraid to wing out the eyeliner at the end! I would then go under the bottom eyelashes with a pencil eyeliner to add the dark definition Zooey has in this look.


Next I would add either mascara or maybe even very small fake eyelashes. (I will be doing a fake eyelash tutorial soon.) The key to this look is the white eye pencil along the water line. This gives the illusion of a wide awake, fresh look.


Now it's skin. Once you have cleared up around the eyes with a face wipe, apply your foundation (I've been mixing No 7 BB cream in Medium with MAC studio sculpt in NC 25). I would then add a very slight pink blush and brush very softly along the cheekbone (Benefit Georgia would work really well.)


Finally it's the lips! I would say a nice colour like Chanel Rouge Allure in Hyde Park topped off with a little pink lipgloss (MAC Baby Sparks.)


And you're all done!


Enjoy :-)

New Years Resolution #1 - Get a skincare routine that works (Part one.)

One of the things I've found with becoming a make up artist is my new found obsession for not only make up, but also skincare. In order for make up to look as perfected as can be, you need to have a fantastic base.

Now obviously you can hide blemishes and other skin issues with primer and foundation etc but you will never resolve the actual issue behind them. And you're probably making the problem worse.

Luckily, I've been very fortunate when it comes to my skin. I managed to breeze through puberty without nothing more than the occasional break out. I definitely have had my fair share of skin nightmares though (it's always before a date isn't it!). I remember having infantigo when I worked at H&M. Before I realised it was actually contagious, I had to face the public with horrible, burn like cuts on my face. Attractive. No amount of concealer is going to hide that my lovelies! 

So, I decided to do my research! I've found in the past that I'll invest in a fantastic cleanser, toner and moisturiser and only use it for about a week! So I wanted to make sure that I used it every single day and that by the end of 2012, hopefully my skin will be perfected! Various other beauty blogs and youtube videos have made suggestions about which products to use but I always find that you need to test it out on your own skin as everyone has a different skin type. 


One name that kept coming up over and over was Liz Earle. Now, I'm personally a massive fan of natural products. I always find it so bizzare how a product such as lip balm, can have so many random chemicals in it! (Check out my beautiful cousin Amy's youtube video in which she goes into more depth around natural cosmetics...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIBGHdp6KeM) Liz Earle is renowned for using lots of naturally active products and is a favourite in the beauty industry. She was even awarded an MBE for her services to the beauty industry and now I know why, she's a miracle worker!


Magazines and beauty experts have been telling us for years that for perfect skin we need to drink lots of water and cleanse, tone and moisturise. So I'm going to see if this actually works. 


So, my first skincare purchase of 2012 is this little gem... The Liz Earle cleanse & polish hot cloth cleanser. 



Now, it retails for around £13.75 which is for a 100ml size however, you can get a smaller size for around £8. At first £13.75 seems a lot for just one part of my skincare routine but trust me, once you use this product, you will never look back.


How to use


Once you have removed any dirt or make up from your face with a face wipe or whatever, you basically get a 50p sized amount of the product and rub it into your skin. You really need to focus on the areas you get the most breakouts (for me this is just under my mouth.) You then soak the cloth in warm water and start working the product into your skin. Once all the product has gone, I would just splash your face with cold water to make sure any product has gone.


And voila! You're done. 


One of the things I find when I take my make up off is that no matter how many face wipe I use, it doesn't seem to get it all off! I've even tried pricey make up removers but they don't seem to work to great either. So for me, this cleanser instantly made my skin feel really clean and refreshed. 


I've been using the cleanser for a couple of weeks now and I've really noticed a difference in my skin. My skin is clearer, I've had no breakouts and my make up seems to go on easier. So for me, this has really worked and is definitely affordable. 


I'll attach the link to Liz's website below but I know you can also purchase it in John Lewis.


Now I've found my perfect cleanser, I need to find a fantastic toner! So if anyone recommends one, please let me know! 


Bushells of love,


Marissa 




http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise/cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser.html

Jessie J - Domino

''So. What is your end goal?''

For me personally, I feel it is so important to always have goals in life. It gives me a sense of direction and keeps me from going insane. Life can be extremely mundane at times but it's the realisation of how short our lives are that gives me passion and drive to succeed!

My incredible make up teacher, Melissa, asked me on my first day ''So, what is your end goal?''

To be honest at the very start of becoming a make up artist, I really didn't know. I just wanted to be good. To be good enough that people would hire me at their weddings, proms & events. That photographers wanted to work with me and that people in the industry know who I am. 

I still want that but I'm now starting to think a little bit further along. I know I can be good. Great even. I adore making people feel good about themselves and I know make up has always done this for me. I'm learning, yes,  but I know I will be successful.

So who knows. Maybe you'll see MDR make up brushes and make up organisers one day? Or even my own make up range. Maybe you'll see me working on the latest celebrity or maybe I'll be doing your make up at your wedding. Who knows. 

It's a very exciting time in my life and I'm very grateful to you all for taking the time out to read my ramblings! (Every time I see someone has read my blog, it gives me butterflies!)

Bushells of love,

Marissa 

My first Make Up & Beauty Blog post!

Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen!

Welcome to my first Make Up & Beauty blog!

I'm currently training to become a Freelance Make Up Artist. My amazing teacher is Melissa Abel who is an incredible make up artist and entrepreneur based in Norwich, UK. 

I'm obsessed with all things make up and beauty and I wanted to start a blog to tell you guys about my favourite items and also, some of the ones I would avoid. I also hope to share with you my favourite tips, tricks and things to look out for in this industry.

So thank you for joining me as I begin my journey to having my own business - MDR Make Up. 

Bushells of love,

Marissa


(...and for those wondering what 'bushells' means..it means lots!)