How To

« Older Entries

I Want To Be A Sexy 60′s Siren.

January 31st, 2012

I so do. My favourite make-up look by a million miles is the whole smoky eye/nude lip and I have always wanted to do a heavy winged-eyeliner, false lashes and pale pout.

I’m thinking Jean Shrimpton and Brigitte Bardot…. A little bit Mary Quant mixed with Twiggy…. you know?

Thing is I’ve tried and I’ve failed – miserably. So as part of Retro week we asked professional make-up artist Mariam Jensen to come show us how it’s done properly and share with you lovely lot her step by step tips and tricks.

Mariam used Vix’s face and as aforementioned face arrived at my door apparently I opened it, didn’t even say hello but just kind of shouted at her in a very loud voice:

Me: Oh my Lord pet like last week Mariam Jensen was painting Rihanna’s face and now she will be painting yours and she’s in my kitchen and I’m so excited and you are going to look so gorgeous and she has these immense lashes and and and….

Vix – Rih Rih?! as in THE Rih Rih?!

Me – Yeeeeessssssssssss!!!

Then I remembered to actually let her in rather than just leaving her on the doorstep out in the cold…

Really must remember to greet people in future otherwise I’ll get myself the reputation of having the social skills of an amoeba.

Joining Mariam, Vix, Adam and I in the O’Shea kitchen was the very talented Emma Case – she was the one capturing all the pretty with her fancy camera.

What You Will Need:

  • Eyebrow Pencil: Mariam used Shu Uemura in “Seal Brown”
  • Eyeliner Pencil: For Inner Rim: Mariam used MAC power point eye pencil in “Hand Forged” (pale gold)
  • Mascara: Mariam used Jemma Kidd in “Carbon Black”
  • Liquid Eyeliner: Mariam used Mac fluidline in “Blacktrack”
  • Eyeliner Brush (VERY important!): Mariam used Shu Uemura in 2R
  • Matt Finish Foundation : Mariam used Airbase but also recommends MyFace Mymix liquid
  • Concealer: Mariam used MAC Select Cover in NW25
  • Eyeshadow Primer: Mariam used MAC Prep and Prime
  • Pale base Eyeshadow: Mariam used Shu Uemura M800
  • Darker Grey/Brown Eyeshadow For Socket Line: Mariam used MAC in “Keep Your Cool”
  • Pinky Neutral Lipliner: Mariam used Mac in “Subculture”
  • Beige Lipgloss: Mariam used Nars in “Chelsea Girls”
  • Nude Pink Blush: Mariam used Stila “Tutu”
  • False Lashes: Mariam used Ardell in number 109 (my favourites!)
  • Eyelash Glue – Mariam used Mac “Duo” (I use this too..)

Step One: Mariam primed Vix’s skin (she used the airbase primer but Chanel, Laura Mercier and Lancome all have good versions), Mariam then used an actual airbrush machine for a flawless finish – it was quite spectacular and she uses it on her brides for W-day. However, obviously we don’t expect you lovely lot to own one so instead we recommend My Face “My Mix” foundation which is only £6.50 and you can buy it from good old Boots….

Mariam covered under eye circles and any small blemishes with concealer.

Step Two: Because this look is all about the eyes, blush is kept to a minimum with just a sweep of pale nude pink on the apples fading out to the hairline.

Step Three: Fill in your eyebrows with a suitable pencil – we like ones with a slightly greyish tone as they look more natural… Then apply your eyeshadow primer (prevents fading and oily bits) and add your pale eyeshadow all over the lid up to the socket lines.

Step Four: Mariam uses a fine brush to paint on a gel liner – you could also use a liquid with a felt-tip pen end (I rate Lancome Artliner), but to get a precise finish and the perfect flick a brush is the ideal tool.

Step Five: Curl lashes and apply a single coat of mascara, once dry measure your false lashes up against your eyelid – if they are a wee bit long (not the length of the lash – as in too big for your actual lash line…) then trim the end with some sharp nail scissors.

Step Six: Apply glue to your false lashes and await until tacky to apply to the lash line, using tweezers can help you achieve an even finish.

Step Seven: For the perfect nude pout apply a soft pinky pencil to the outline and then cover the whole lip with a shiny beige gloss – Mariam used a lip brush to apply the Nars lip laquer… (I am so buying this shade ASAP).

Voila!!!! – A sexy 60′s siren. Loves.

Is this any of you gorgeous folks favourite look? is it something you “do” regularly or is it something you may try thanks to Mariam Jensen?

And would it be helpful if we did a “How to apply the perfect false lash” post at some point in the near future? – just let me know in the comments box below.

Don’t forget folks, cute cameras and brilliant books up for grabs from Lomography on every post this week so get love leaving.

Big Whenever I See A Picture Of Madam Bardot It Makes Me Want To Wear Gingham Love

Charlotte xxx

62 comments »

Posted in How To

Tags:

Hi Ho Silver Lining.

December 2nd, 2011

No. We are definitely not about to encourage you to to purchase Slade’s greatest hits album. Although obviously you can if you want and I’m pretty sure my Dad gets it out every Xmas Eve for a sing-along…

Inspired by the forthcoming party season and RMW bride Katie’s smoky eye/nude lip look we thought we’d put together a make-up tutorial on how to create sexy silver peepers and the perfect pinkish pout.

We used Vix’s face, my kitchen table and Adam’s photography skills…. and tried to make it as easy to follow as we possibly could. There’s a few questions at the end of this post that we would love you to answer if you get a sec, in the meantime enjoy the sexy make-up tips folks!

Above: This is clearly the “After” shot… and just to give you the heads up, Vix has a light golden skintone, blonde hair and blue/green eyes. You can of course intensify these colours should you be darker and more sultry or go easy should you be of the more pale and interesting variety.

What You Need To Get Silver Sexy:

A. A mattifying primer that makes your base stay put and your pores miraculously disappear. We used Magix by Avon – it is ruddy magic. And it’s cheap as chips.

B. A volumising mascara that is also good at seperating and lifting lashes for that wide-eyed effect (we don’t do clumps and as this look has quite a few products already you could do without faffy eyelash curlers and combs). We used the much loved Max Factor False Lash Effect but the purple tubed version that also does immense lengthening stuff too.

C. An under eye illuminating concealer (Muchos important as darkish shadow can make bags look even worse – sad but true). We used Diorskin Nude by Christian Dior, quite fancy but comes with 10ml in the tube (that’s about 7x more than you will get in a twisty up pen of their skinflash or YSL touche Eclat. And yes I know it’s geeky that I actually know this fact)

D. A black and a silver eyeliner pencil. The one we used is Bobbi Brown Chrome and Black which is actually double ended, it is also limited edition so get one quick while you can! (John Lewis had some left on-line last time we looked)

E. A nudey pink satin finish lipstick. We used Tom Ford in Spanish Pink (a new colour in the range for winter) which has the perfect finish. I won’t tell you how much it is because quite frankly I don’t want to admit it even to myself. However I can tell you that is was worth every penny.

F. A sparkly liquid liner (optional). These are everywhere during the festive season but we used Collection 2000 Glam Crystals which are very glam indeed. Also a complete bargain – about three quid from Boots.

G. A black liquid liner. Vix favours the one from Rimmel as it’s easy to apply, doesn’t budge and doesn’t break the bank.

H. A liquid satin/matt finish foundation. Vix likes Mac Studio Fix which looks surprisingly natural whilst giving medium to full coverage.

I. A whisper of pink blush. Your flush for this look should be practically imperceptible. We used Illamasqua in Katie which might just be the greatest blush on earth.

J. A matt/satin (no sparkles) mid-grey eyeshadow. We used Mac in Swell Baby although there are a million zillion on the market to chose from.

The Base Bit.

Apply primer sparingly all over your face then blend your foundation evenly (you can use a brush or sponge but we used fingers…), apply concealer where needed and of course underneath the eye, remember to PAT NOT RUB (you just end up rubbing half of it off) and extend to the inner corners by your nose – opens up the whole area you see and makes you look all wide awake and bushy tailed.

Apply powder all over – paying particular attention to the T-zone and any other area you may get the oilies. You can use a loose version but to be honest Vix just used her MAC compact with a big brush – it does the trick, creates less mess and is the exact same colour match as her foundation.

The Eyes Have It

Blend your shadow all over the upper lid up to the socket crease, you can use a small headed powder brush (Vix did) or your fingers (I always use my fingers – I think the shadow spreads better when it’s warmed up a wee bit). Don’t worry if its not perfect, it’s supposed to be a bit smudgy anyway and you can always correct mistakes later on with a Q-tip.

I know some folks find liquid liner tricky but Vix draws on little dots across her upper lash line then joins them together. I swear she did both eyes in about 30 seconds flat. Have since adopted this method myself and I’m done in a jiffy.

Genius.

With the silver pencil draw a line underneath your lower lash line extending all the way to your inner corners (you can fade it out a bit here so it looks a bit more natural), add a few extra layers for added intensity should you really want your peepers extra shiny.

With the black pencil draw over the top of the silver faintly-ish (you can go from a gunmetal to a full on charcoal depending on your desired hue) and then smudge it in with a flat eyeliner brush. This should give you a slightly smudgy silver-with-grey look that’s very pretty indeed.

With your mascara wand look down and lift lashes up in a zig zaggy fashion coating from root to tip. Vix finds that she can add layer after layer with the Max Factor one and it doesn’t go gloopy. Make sure you also do your bottom lashes too – the more Bambi the better people.

Blush Baby.

Apply a whisper of blush. A WHISPER. You don’t want to detract from the eyes or look “overdone” start with the apples and extend to the hairline. We used a powder but a cream in a pale pink shade would also work well.

Getting Lippy.

Apply your lipstick straight from the tube, with a natural shade you shouldn’t need lipliner and the finish we prefer is matt satin (so now!) – so we didn’t top with gloss either.

Voila! although not quite. To get extra Hi Ho Silver Lined you can also add a bit of glitter (and who doesn’t love a bit of glitter at Xmas eh?). Stay close to the lashline with your liquid and put a bit extra in the outer corners. You can even dab a bit on your lashes should you fancy an uber sparkly flutter.

Actual voila! we didn’t put the glitter liner on the lower lash line although you of course could should you want to.

This look is based around silver (erm obviously) but you could also try gold – especially lovely on olive skinned brunettes.

Question time!

Do you like make-up tutorials?

Are the “big” pictures useful?

Do you like to know what products we like/use/rate etc?

And what other make-up tips/tricks would you like to see?

Do let us know in the comments box below lovelies.

Big I am wearing this look over the weekend Love

Charlotte xxx

P.S For all you music buffs, I know Jeff Beck wrote the original Hi Ho Silver Lining but unfortunately it’s the Slade cover version and Xmas that I associate it with. Blame my father.

21 comments »

Posted in How To

Tags:

D.I.Y Hair And Make-Up For W-day.

October 4th, 2011

So you know how much we love a wee bit of do-it-yourself here at RMW HQ right? And as I am a self-confessed beauty product junkie it would be fair to say that when offered a delectable fusion of both, ie a DIY hair and make-up tutorial by two of the industry’s finest, I got a bit over excited. This basically means that I got caught red handed waving my hands about and talking to my computer screen by him indoors in what must have looked like a slightly has-she-completely-lost-her-marbles-manner….

Clearly that was not the case. It was merely the reaction of a perfectly sane person confronted with Severin Hubert from Hepburn collection showing me how to construct the so-now ballet bun and Lucy Baker demonstrating how to recreate a polished peachy glow…

Obviously.

Oh. And you can also have a butchers at all of the lovely products they recommend…

Plastic at the ready ladies ;-)

Covetable Cosmetics

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – apply a thin even layer with a foundation brush to prepare the skin for foundation and long lasting make-up.

MAC Face & Body – colour N2 – apply with a foundation brush, starting around the centre of the face. Not many people need foundation all over their face like a mask so ensure it is applied where skin tone is uneven or where there are blemishes or pigmentation/redness of skin. Blend with a sponge for a flawless finish.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC1 – carefully apply to any blemishes, pigmentation, red marks using a concealer brush. Blend with a fluffy brush to make it look flawless and part of the skin.

MAC Eyeshadow -Tempting and Mythology – Sweep over the lid with a soft fluffy eyeshadow brush. Blend well for a really natural beautiful look.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers – Eyelash curling is essential for that bright eyed bride!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara – Blackest black – Brush the lashes with mascara making sure the roots of the lashes are completely covered.

Laura Mericer Invisible Loose Setting Powder – apply a tiny amount with a big soft brush before applying the blusher.

MAC Powder Blush – Peachykeen – add to the apples of the cheeks in stages – blusher is buildable so start with a little amount and build up for the desired look / intensity.

Laura Mercier Mineral Illumination Powder – Starlight – dust lightly over the cheeks bones after applying blush – use the same blusher brush.

No7 Perfect Lips Liner – Nude – Follow the natural shape of the lip and fill in the entire lip with the pencil. This creates a great base for any lip colour.

MAC Cremesheen Glass -’Richer, Lusher’ – sweep lipgloss over the lips using a lip brush for a natural sheen lip.

Sexy Hair Products

Milkshake Shaping Foam – apply a small amount to the hair to add volume to the roots.

Milkshake Open Air Hairspray – spray onto finished hair to hold in place.

Milkshake Eco Mist – spray onto finished hair for super shine.

Tools and Tips:

We used round padding Babyliss tongs Volare V1 Babyliss Pro Hairdryer Round bristle brush – All can be purchased from good department stores.

If you want to trim your hair before the big day, please advise your stylist who will be styling your hair. Only take the ends off as it could change how your hair would look on your wedding day.

Do not use conditioner in your hair on the day, your stylist will use his/her own products or advise accordingly. This is something we try to reiterate to our brides as conditioner can play a huge part in how the hair holds its style.

When thinking about ideas for hairstyles, collect images to show your hairdresser but remember the hair will have a huge influence on the style of dress you go for. You may require more than one trial for your wedding to make sure you are happy with the style you have chosen.

With thanks to Severin Herbert from Hepburn Collection and the lovely Lucy Baker.

So then, anyone going to have a go?

And if not these particular looks is there anything else you are attempting in the DIY beautification stakes for W-day?

Big I Love Milkshake and MAC Love

Charlotte xxx

5 comments »

Posted in How To

Tags:

Pancake.

August 23rd, 2011

As in flat as.

That is what my barnet looks like on any given day unless I backcomb the living daylights out of it (Ok for a special occasion but not exactly good for you – the resulting knots are a killer).

My hair is fine. Baby fine. The slightest hint of volumising goop and it looks greasy. And up until very recently I resided myself to the fact that it was better to look a little lack-lustre than it was to resemble a giant chip.

On the run up to the big day this was one of my most prevalent beauty hang-ups, that my do would droop and I would end up looking all a bit pancake-like in the photo’s (Yes I know, incredibly vain. But I was the bride…I figured I was allowed).

Of course I was very lucky in that I had an uber talented hairdresser, plenty of time (it took HOURS), a whole can of hairspray, clip-in extensions, a crimper, about a thousand grips…. you get the picture. Not everyone wants to go through that on the morning of their wedding though, there are far better things to do, like drink champagne and gossip with your best girls.

And actually I no longer want to go through life as the perfect accessory to Shrove Tuesday. I want my locks to be big, bouncy and natural looking.

Recently I have discovered some products that actually work. No really – they do. And combined with some tips and advice from my sister (she’s now trained in doing cool things with hair styling as well as make-up) I no longer leave the O’Shea abode straggly and limp.

Result.

Wash And Go

There are an abundance of shampoo’s and conditioners that promise ultimate body and lift and I’ve never found any that genuinely deliver. With a sensitive scalp I also find that many of them leave me a wee bit itchy…

You can buy Yes To Tomatoes shampoo and conditioner from Victoria’s Health (I am completely obsessed with that website) and they have transformed my life. With over 99% natural ingredients and a pleasant fresh fragrance they make my hair soft and swingy – like a kilt.

Speed Demon

I’m not a big fan of the whole hair drying process. It bores me to tears. And the last thing I want to do after a shower is go get all hot and bothered for a good twenty minutes.

If you invest in one tool this year make it a Parlux 3200. You can literally turn your head upside down, blast the roots for 5 minutes and you’ll be pretty much ready to go. If hanging upside down makes you dizzy, as you dry lift your hair up in sections and aim the nozzle right at the root, promise you’ll notice more than a little “Big Hair” action.

Mr Parlux and I are now firm friends. We go everywhere together.

A Little Extra Help

So the deep fat fryer look I mentioned earlier – the trick is to not put any product on the top layer of your hair, just the underneath bit – that way there is no risk of looking like the great unwashed. I find one of those skinny handled combs work well – pull the top section of your hair up with the handle part and apply a specialised volumising product just to the roots. I rate Fudge Root Juice – I apply straight from the can as the nozzle is nice and precise.

For even more texture and Bardot inspired bouffant you can’t beat a shake or two of Lee Stafford’s Matt Fat powder. Dust it in and watch your height increase before your very eyes people… You can also add it to the lengths – especially effective for that sexy bed-head look.

For extra body I like those curling wands to create loose waves, wrap relatively large sections around the wand for a few seconds and blast with a super fine non-sticky hairspray. The ONLY hairspray I use is the one by Milkshake as recommended by Sev from Hepburn Collection.

So lovelies. Now I’ve shared a few of my secrets I’d LOVE it if you shared yours too.

What are your Go-To volumising products?

Any hair issues you are currently concerned with that maybe our community can assist with advising on?

Any hair styling requirements that any of our industry professional friends can perhaps post about here on Rock My Wedding?

Anything you want to tell us or need to know just leave us a comment folks.

Big Look Like You’ve Just Stepped Out Of A Salon Love

Charlotte xxx

37 comments »

Posted in How To

Tags:

Be A Spring Time Beauty Queen.

March 1st, 2011

One of my favourite W-day colour palettes is a bright green with a colour pop pink, I just can’t get enough of that fresh, pretty “springtime is just around the corner” look.

And that also goes for make-up, if I’m not wearing my everyday “neutral” face you are far more likely to see me with a soft golden mossy hue swept across my lids and a dreamy dolly pout than you ever are as a sludgy, smoky red-lipped vamp.

Lucky me then that this colour combination is so hot-right-now that there are a whole host of products on offer to make you look picture perfect…. just in time to wave bye bye to the winter blues and Helloooo to sunnier climes.

Oh and I think this makes for a beautiful alternative to the more traditional Big Day “natural” bridal norm.


For those of you who don’t already know – this is my sister Melissa who is an experienced make-up artist and has put together today’s seasonal look, please bare in mind she is not a model and I am definitely not a professional photographer (!)

First things first, the essential kit folks:

Dark Circle Disguise - we used Givenchy “Mister Light” in 02

Gold/Green shadows - we used Mac “Juxt” as a base and a smudge of MAC “Lucky green” on top for depth

Colour Pop Pink - we used Bobbi Brown rich colour lipstick in “Bikini Pink” and MAC gloss in “Flusterose”

Lengthening Mascara - as opposed to volumising, this is all about the flutter folks! we used MAC’s new “false lash” formulation

A Glowing Natural Base - we mixed Estee Lauder “Primer Plus” ( illuminating) with Burberry “Sheer Foundation” in 04

Rosy Apples - we used MAC powder blush in “Pink Swoon”

A Fine Line - we love a liquid for perfect definition – we used MAC Superslick in “Marked for Glamour” which is a medium grey, however, a brown/bronze pencil is equally as pretty.

1. Apply your foundation and concealer, with all the bright ( albeit soft) colour you want a very natural base, a tinted moisturiser or sheer foundation mixed with an illuminator works well. Dot a highlighting concealer on any dark shadows and pat gently, extend to the inner corners of the eye and the lid area to neutralize any redness/create a base for shadow.

2. Sweep on your paler green/gold shadow ( Melissa favours a foam applicator to a brush as it picks up more pigment – I like to pat it on with my finger tip and gently rub in, seems to create more sheen and stays put for longer), if you fancy a bit more depth you can add a slightly darker shade to the outer corners/socket line.

3. Apply your liner, we used a gunmetal grey as it’s softer than black and works well with the whole green/pink thing. The MAC one doesn’t budge, is quite easy to apply and has attractive shiny bits in it that lend a lovely shimmer when you look down/across/get caught in the light etc

4. The flutter factor. Curl lashes and apply your mascara, sweep the wand “upwards” and use a “wiggling” motion to really coat every lash. Comb through with a lash comb and once dry apply a second coat…and a third if you fancy it. Don’t forget the bottom lashes too – one coat will do.

We also swept a whisper of the paler green shadow underneath the bottom lash line to make them extra lovely – literally a tiny whisper though. If you’re not brave enough to sweep the colour underneath then a champagne gold will work just as well.

5. Sweep a barley there rosy hued blush on the apples of your cheeks and towards the hairline, a gentle walk-in-the-park flush will be fine, this look is all about the peepers and the pout.

6. Apply your lipstick straight from the tube ( no liner required) and if you prefer the more matt finish ( as I do as it happens) then stop here – as per the middle image on the above template. If you fancy a little more sheen however then slick on some shimmery gloss.

Et Voila!

Do you like it lovelies?

And as with any “how to” – any questions just drop us a note in the comments box.

Big Wearing This Look Right Now Love

Charlotte xxx

22 comments »

Posted in How To

Tags:

Julie D.I.Y Bridal Hair – The Messy Side Bun.

February 9th, 2011

I cannot “do” hair.

Make-up yes ( unless I forget to put my contact lenses in first and tend to over-do the Aunt Sally blush), high shoes DOUBLE yes ( 6 inches today people!) and I think at 30 years of age I have finally mastered the art of fashion that suits my body type, tastes and personality.

Back to hair again though. no no no no NO. The thought of having to do something with my barnet ( especially under time constraints) brings me out in a rash. I have fine, flyaway locks that don’t hold a curl and naturally have about as much volume as a pancake. And I would love nothing more than to create some feminine up-do that wasn’t severe ( my head just appears even more moony), wasn’t going to “date”, would feel comfortable and most importantly not fall out half an hour later.

I am very pleased to tell you how that I, Charlotte when-I-do-my-own-hair-I-look-a-bit-tragic O’Shea can actually re-create Julie’s MESSY SIDE BUN. Oh yes I can folks, practiced after putting these templates together and everything.

And guess what lovelies, Now you can too! with Severin Hubert’s step-by-step How to.

Preparing the Hair

Before styling, wash hair as normal but with no conditioner – I know it sounds crazy but if you want your style to hold for the whole day please try not to add conditioner. I do suggest though using hair products to help keep the desired style you are wanting to create. Look for a good brand name, you may have to spend a little more but it’s worth it…after all you are getting married! I like to use Milkshake products, they do exactly what they say they do and the smell is delicious!

SEV: Julie was looking for something that was not too structured and very soft around her pretty face. The messy side bun was the obvious choice for her….tres romantique.

Step 1: I used mousse to help set the desired style. Then blow dry under using a round brush to create a sleek smooth base.

Step 2. I took sections of the hair and curled using medium sized tongs.

Step 3. I then secured the curls using hair grips and left to set. For the top part of the head heated rollers were used to create a softer finish.

Step 4. Once cooled down, I ran my hands through the hair to break up the curls, using a little hair spray to help set the hair.

Step 5. To create the side bun I scooped all the hair over to one side and tied loosely with a hair band creating a pony tail.

Step 6. I then took sections of the pony tail and started to create a loose bun securing with pins. I let some of the hair loose on the side of the face to give a soft natural look. Finish off by using hair spray to help hold in place.

All Hair styling and Instruction – Severin Hubert at the Hepburn Collection.

Photography – C B Media.

With huge thanks to Severin Hubert and Julie for showing our lovelies how to have the hottest messy hair in weddingville……

Big Tell Us If You Are Going The Bun Route Love

Charlotte

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

22 comments »

Posted in How To, Julie - D.I.Y

Tags: