Work It!

Happy Sunday Girls, 

As the weekend come to an end, what better way than to prepare you for a week ahead at work?

I know work might not be something we all love thinking about, but what can be worse than going into work looking rough to find out you have an unexpected meeting, or even bumping into a certain somebody (friend or foe) on your lunch break or after work? 

Getting ready for work shouldn't be a chore, I have in the past shared some tips on quick hair first thing in the morning. Now I will share my everyday work make-up products. I usually aim to get ready for work in the space of 15 minutes and these are the products I use: 

Everyday Basics

Products l-r: Thick and Fast Mascara, Sigma kabuki brush,
Bobbi Brown BB Cream, Face Form palette, Studio Fix.

Base: My everyday base is Bobbi Brown's BB Cream (£29) in medium. I personally like to keep my base light, to try and maintain my skin so it doesn't feel full and heavy throughout the day. I love this BB Cream as it gives me the coverage I need for a day to day look and feels light on my skin.  Although it isn't the cheapest product, I love it and it is also SPF 35 so a great skin protector. To 'top up' my coverage and finish I use Mac's Studio Fix Powder Plus (£21.50) in NC42. I buff this into my skin using Sigma's Round Kabuki F82 (£18.95) brush.  

Contour & Blush: A quick and easy contour can be done, and I do mine using the Sleek Face Form (£10) palette, this is also perfect to add to your handbag and using the highlighter for that after work drinks or unplanned dinner. 

Mascara: I was given Soap & Glory Thick and Fast (£10) mascara by a work colleague as it didn't suit her, I now live by this on a day to day basis. I'm not saying this particular one will work for everyone, but a good mascara should be essential for every girls work look. 

Brows: Groomed brows are essential everyday, but its also important not to look 'overdone' for an everyday look. I usually use Anastasia Dipbrow for evenings and weekend but for a simpler look the Brow Wiz (£15.50) is the most perfect pencil to achieve this look. 

Lips: This is the most essential part of any overall make up and can change a look completely. Recently i have been experimenting with lip glosses and crayons with good staying power for my work day. The top three I have tried are: 

Products top- bottom:
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 203 complex
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 205 Elusive
Rimmel Provacalips in 200 I'll Call You
Rimmel Provcalips in 730 Make Your Move 

- NYX Matte Lip Cream (£7.50)

These will always remain my favourite, so many shades and so much staying power, it lasts the day with very little top up needed. 

-Revlon Colorburst Matte Lip Balm (£7.99) 

These are my new addition, and I love the finish and feel of these, they do need some top up but the finish is amazing and I love my two work appropriate shades which are 

- Rimmel Provocalips Lip Colour (£6.99)

I bought two colours in this lip cream, and although they stay put all day the shades aren't ones for me. I think lighter and more porcelain skin tones would be more suited to this range. 

Handbag Essentials 

As well as the daily essentials, you need a few things in your bag for that impromptu dinner or after work drinks. As you can see above I keep eye make up minimal, so one of my handbag essentials is Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (£18) in black ink and a flat brush (I use Eco Tools, which came as a set from Boots). A winged liner is always perfect for any occasion. 

The second essential is bright lippy , Mac do my favourite brights and my three go-to handbag shades (all £15.50) are : 

Vegas Volt (creamy light coral)
Chatterbox  (creamy pink)
Lady Danger (matte red) 

As I use light coverage daily I also like to keep a Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (£29) in my bag, it's easy to carry and can be used to build up coverage for the evening. I also carry my studio fix and face form palette for touch ups. 

There you have it girls a few simple products in the morning, and the handbag essentials will take you from the office to date night or drinks with the girls so don't forget to pack them!

What are your work wardrobe make-up essentials? 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Who Run's The World?

Hey Guys, 

Its been a hectic few weeks in both work and play, but I wanted to write a blog post about some of the things I have been involved with recently. 

A few weeks ago I worked with two very inspirational women, and the brains, beauty and banter behind successful UK lifestyle blog Breathe Happiness. Hayley is the success behind online store Southwood Stores, the UK’s only stockist of american casual clothing brand Hello Apparel and  Shaneen is the eyes behind the lens of Rosewarne Cox Photography. 

Photography by Rosewarne Cox Photography for
Breathe Happiness

We worked together with two models to shoot for Hello Apparel to be featured online at Southwood Studios. This was honestly one of the most relaxing and fun atmospheres I have had the joys of working in. I love meeting like minded individuals, and both these ladies inspired me to keep working hard at what I do and love so much, as well as sticking to my love or hate honest nature in the process. 

I can’t wait to share images from the shoot, but for now you will have to deal with a few sneak peaks and behind the scenes until the final pics can be released! Take a look at the Breath Happiness blogpost featuring the shoot here. 

Photography by Josh Daniels
Make up by me 

The second event I took part in last week was working backstage with Make Up Artists Jay Gill and Urvashi Patel from The Beauty Fix. The show presented the talents of Bedfordshire College students and the results were beyond drawdropping. There was also a soft launch of upcoming designers Kian-E and Aywa. The bubbly and beautiful models were supplied by The Model's Portal (TMP) and it was a pleasure working with them. 

One of my favourite outfits
at the show.
Photography by Josh Daniels
Make Up by Me

Now in the past I had a bad experience of a show in a similar industry (as some of you know from a past post), so I have been sceptical of heading in the same direction again. However, I have worked with Aneesa (organiser of the show, director of Kian-e and tutor at Bedfordshire College) in the past. I can honestly say her hard work, dedication and personable nature shined through the whole event from start to finish with seamless results. I will Aneesa and all of the future designers all the best as they continue their journey- these guys will go far! 

I think these past few weeks have showed me that if you do have a passion for something creative, as hard as it may seem to lift off the ground you should go for it and eventually the hard work will pay off. In a world and culture where I have seen women holding back from what they want to do, it felt liberating to meet so many successful women on the same path as me. 

Do you have a creative side you would like to share? 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Is The Beauty Industry Too Crowded?

Hi All, 

I have had a busy few weeks, and it has given me a lot of time to think about the beauty industry.  I will today be writing about my latest adventure, my first step into becoming a hair and make up professional; after taking a course with Mink make up school in London. I took a 5 day intensive course, focusing on becoming  a bridal hair and make up artist; as this is where I feel my future interest lies. 

I learnt a lot about the reality of the job, as well as much theoretical knowledge which I had not gained before. In a practical aspect I felt my largest accomplishment was the ability to practise on different skin tones/types and mastering blending, highlighting and contouring techniques. There is plenty you can teach yourself about make up, but the industry is one thing you can only prepare yourself for through experience. 

Make up above done by myself
during training at Mink London.

Through the duration of my course I had two amazing teachers, with much experience and knowledge within their particular fields. Both had a very different teaching style, however I feel I have taken back valuable tips and knowledge from each of them. My class consisted of 8 other females who have as much enthusiasm and motivation as myself to make a career of themselves in hair and beauty. i am happy to say as well as networking, I also gained friends  who I will stay in touch with in future.

Although beauty is an industry sector I have always loved, I do have a regular 9-5 day job which I aim to continue. For me make up has always been fun, and its something I wanted to develop further from being a hobby. 

With beauty being a fast growing industry, there is a high level of competition. Even coming from such a small village there are 4 hair salons and and 3 beauty salons. On my Facebook alone I have 7 make up artists/enthusiasts who are trying to break into the industry. 

Knowing the high level of competition makes it difficult, but I have come to terms with the fact that I am in this for my own level of enjoyment and progression. For me hair and make up is about making the most of somebody’s existing features and highlighting each their beauty for any special occasion. It is important to take pride in each client individually, and focus on what will work best for the individual in front of you. The most important part is to make clients feel comfortable, and not force your own ideas or opinions onto them. 

I have come to the realisation that this is not a cheap hobby. For me being a hair and make up artist is less about the income, and more about furthering my interest.  Starting up a kit, and your own business requires much dedication, time and also money. To keep up with competition and please clients certain branded items might be necessary. Although I have discovered a range of good quality and cheaper brands, clients may never have heard of these and will want recognised brands and products to be used on them. 

This is just my first step, but I hope its the beginning of a successful journey. I shall be keeping you all up to date with my progress, and the products I will be adding to my professional kit. 

I would love to know the opinions of my readers :

Is the beauty industry overcrowded? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.