Tutorial - Smokey gold eye with a nude lip.

I'm all about a smokey eye. The typical smokey eye tends to be a lot darker but since I was only going for a pub lunch after this tutorial, I thought a really dark smokey eye might not be appropriate. 

I looked through my kit and found a gorgeous Copper pigment that I received in my last Glossybox. Now, historically I tend to avoid pigments. They can transfer all over your face if not applied with extreme precision. However, I was up for the challenge. I've included a step by step tutorial which is rather lengthy! Please don't be too offended by my bare face! :-)

MDR Make Up

1) Ensure your face is clean. I cleansed mine with Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, toned with Liz Earle Tonic and moistoirized with Elizabeth Arden SPF 50 8 hour cream for face.

And this, is my face! Since pregnancy, my skin has been a lot more sensitive and despite being acne free, it has a lot of redness to it. I also have one eye larger than the other which is actually something Darcy has also inherited too....

 2) To ensure a smooth foundation, it's always best to use a primer. I applied MAC Prep and Prime with a Real Techniques pointed foundation brush and then applied Too Faced Shadow Insurance to my eyelids and under my eyebrows with my ring finger.

3) Once that dried, it was time for foundation. I love Revlon 24hr Colorstay foundation and I use the shade 'Buff'. It's great for gradually building up coverage and lasts at least all day. I used the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to really buff in the foundation. You basically move in small circles all over your skin until the product has settled in. This can be slightly time consuming but it's worth it, trust me! 

Excuse the expression but as you can see, the majority of the redness has disappeared and my skin tone is looking a lot more even.

4) Now it's time for concealer. Without a doubt, this is one of my essential make up products. I used Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in shade 1 Fair. I then used a MAC 217 brush to really buff the product in. Now, as I was going for quite a full on look, I applied concealer slightly different then I do on a day to day basis. On this occasion, I used the triangle technique. This is something I do when professionally contouring and as you can see, really can transform the look of your skin.

The triangle technique

Ensuring all the blemishes are covered

5) I then use the Real Techniques detailer brush for any blemishes and also for the bridge of my nose. To ensure my foundation stays in place, I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Collection 2000 Sheer Loose Powder.

Starting to look a little more presentable!

6) I recently purchased the MAC Bronzer in Golden from their recent Alluring Aquatics collection and wanted to test it out. As I expected, I love it! It's completely matt which is very flattering and is perfect for contouring. I applied this using the Real Techniques Contour Brush. 

I applied the bronzer to my cheeks, the top left and right of my forehead, chin, jawline and slightly on my nose.

7) At this point, I always prep my lips. I used the Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub followed by my trusty Carmex! This ensures my lips are soft and smooth which results in a perfect lipstick application.

8) I'm not using a blusher for this look so instead, to add a bit of contrast to my cheeks, I used a highlighter. This adds shimmer and is great at reflecting light which is very flattering. My favourite highlighter is one from Tophop. I used a light buffing brush from Freuline.

9) Now it's time for the eyes. Once you've got your skin base sorted, it's easy to figure out the density of your eyeshadow. I have the joy of one eye that is slightly smaller than the other which results in lots of adjusting with my eyeshadown. Because of this fact, I have to apply it slight differently to each eye so it they end up both looking the same.

I start by using a neautral base colour. The one I chose for this look is from the MUA neautral pallette. It doesn't have a name but it's a pearly/gold. I apply this all over my lid, the tear ducts and the bottom corner of my eye.

10) I then add the Copper pigment over the middle part of my lid. I use a very small, detailed brush for this to ensure that it doesn't transfer onto my face.

Using a fluffy brush, I then start to blend in the two eyeshadow products together.

The copper pigment was actually a lot less shimmery than I expected and didn't transfer under my eyes.

11) Now it's time to create the smokiness to the eye. This can occasionally mean a make up disaster. If you add too much eyeshadow at once, it becomes very difficult to blend it all in. For a while (until it's all blended) you will look a bit strange. Just build up the eyeshadow until it's all blended in. I'm using my trusty MAC pointed brush to add the colour. The eyeshadow I'm using is MAC Tempting. I apply it the orbital bone and at the corner of my eye then blend blend blend using a fluffier brush.

 This took me a good 10 minutes to get right. Lots of adding small amounts then buffing in and repeating.

12) Now for the eyebrows. Many years over overplucking has resulted in my eyebrows not having a very nice natural shape. They're uneven and even after doing eyebrows professionally for 5 years, they are still something I struggle to rectify. For my brows, I used a mix of eyeshadow (MUA) and pencil (AVON). First I line the brow to create shape, then use the eyeshadow to fill in. 

With one eyebrow done, you can already see the difference that a good brow makes!









13) Now it's time for eyeliner. This is without a doubt the most technical point of make up application. It's something I practice constantly. My best advice is to use a very good angled brush and good quality gel liner. I use Bobbi Brown. I have to say, it's not my favourite product. It's quite dry and so I have to add a small amount of water to the pot to get the right texture. I always work outside in, so start at the flick and trace along your lash line. I continue until the middle of my eye normally, unless I'm going for a really intense lined eye.

This is with eyeliner complete on both eyes














14) I then worked on my eyelashes. On an everyday basis, I apply a light coat of mascara then off I go. For this look, I used a mix of mascara and individual lashes. I will do a separate tutorial for lash application. I used my eyelash curler, applied a small amount of mascara and then added individual lashes for a more dramatic look.

15) To complete my look, I then added lipstick and lipgloss. Normally I like to use a lip liner, however I haven't found a nude lipliner I really like. I'm tempted to try MAC Oak as all the other ones I've tried have a very orange tone to them. Anyways, I applied MAC liptick in Honey Love with a MAC lip brush (the retractable one) and applied MUA lipgloss in Buff over the top.

I dried my hair and attempted some victory rolls!

Here is my complete look!

All in a days work...

Fortunately for me, I get to work with some incredibly talented fellow make up artists, photographers and models. 


Recently, I was kindly asked by my friend Chip to do her make up for a photo shoot. In the industry, this is known as a test shoot where rather then getting paid to attend the shoot, you get paid in prints. This is handy for someone like me who is trying to build my portfolio and also really great for getting to meet photographers. It also gives you a 'behind the scenes look' at what goes on behind the camera. (FYI, you spend more time finding the right lighting then you do taking photos!)


Chip has a great 'pin up' type look and this was great for me as 'pin up', is one of my all time favourite looks. It mixes sexiness, glamour but also a very ladylike vibe. We shot on location at The Waterfront, Norwich, which is a local venue for gigs and themed nights and has housed many fantastic musicians etc. 
The photographer was Al Pulford (http://www.rockphotography.co.uk/) who is an exceptionally talented photographer based in Norwich. He is also the official photographer for The Waterfront so we were able to use the venue during one Saturday.


I've attached a few of the photos, but I would definitely recommend checking out Al's work. The other photos from the shoot should be with me shortly and I will update this post once I have them.


Love Marissa

Guess?

For any typical 20 something, a perfect night in consists of a bath, a dash of pampering and a glossy magazine. 

I've been reading magazines for years now and I think if I consider how much I've spent over the years, I could probably afford the Mulberry of my dreams! However, I've always been drawn to the adverts. (My favourite book as a child was The Jolly Postman by Janet & Allen Ahlbeg which mainly consisted of pictures, pull out letters and so on.) 

I've always found it fascinating how immaculate the models appear. Not a hair, freckle or eyelash out of place! Now, as I've become a lot older and wiser (supposedly) I now realise this is due to the fact the make up takes about 3 hours, there is always a make up artist on hand and it's pretty much guaranteed the final photo will have been airbrushed to perfection.

To be honest, the majority of fashion & beauty product adverts don't intrigue me. They are dull, lifeless and I hate that they convince me that I want to buy something that I probably wouldn't think twice about in a shop.

However, one brand has ALWAYS grabbed my attention....Guess?

Guess is a typical, America brand and is world renowned for it's absolutely amazing models! Think Victoria's Secret but circa 1991! The models look like modern day pin up girls and everything from the hair to the winged eyeliner is just perfection. Maybe I'll attempt a guess tutorial at some point.

Every make up artist has a 'style' and I think I'm slowing starting to find mine. I love the 1950's / 1960's style of make up. The pouty red lips with stiking winged eyeliner and very smokey eyes and guess seems to tick all these boxes!

So, a bit of a random blog this one but I thought I would share a few of my favourite Guess campaigns ....Enjoy

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 :-)

''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!)