My Wedding Makeup- October 2014

I thought I'd finally get round to doing a little post about what makeup I actually wore on my wedding day back in October at South Farm! Whilst I had the wonderful Lauren Taylor do mine and my bridesmaids hair; I decided to do my own wedding makeup; not out of fussiness but purely because I knew exactly what look I wanted, how long it would take to do and what products would last all day!

Before the day I did a few makeup trials, as I would for any of my brides. I started with the look I thought I wanted, dark smokey eye's with browns and gold, that of which is normally found in bridal magazines....but it just wasn't right. Over and over again, something...just wasn't right, it didn't look like me...Fine for an evening out but not for the wedding day photo's.

So when the wedding day came, I did my makeup the same as I normally wear it...with just a little more time and care taken and a few extra products that I knew would add the perfect finishing touches:

Primer: Benefit's Porefessional is an oil free cream that can be used on it's own or as a primer and it helps minimise the look of pores. It's a perfect base for foundation but doesn't work for dry skin.

Eye Primer: I use MAC's Paint Pot in "Painterly" which is a highly pigmented eye base which dries fast and I find holds eyeshadow amazingly well.

Under-eye Cover: I couldn't be without Illamasqua's Creme Pigment in "Emerge." The peach colour is perfect for neutralising the blue tones under the eye and works well with the camera. YSL can cause bounce back if a flash is used and cause a grey appearance to the skin.

Foundation: Without fail it had to be Illamasqua's Skin Base. SPF free, I find that it is less oily than other foundations and like all of Illamasqua's collection it is designed to work in a professional HD environment so looks flawless on camera.

Concealer: Sadly I got a big spot right in time for the wedding day but thankfully, I knew that MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer. would do the job!

Contour: There's no right or wrong products with contouring (unless you use shimmer, that's wrong...) for the wedding day I used the Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in 01 (white) and a slightly darker tone 10 to "enhance" the cheek bones. I combined this with a little of MAC's Sculpting Powders.

Blusher: I love MAC's Springsheen Powder Blush I used to use Pink Swoo but they discontinued it :(

Powder to Set: Whilst the foundation is matt coverage, it's still super important to set it with powder to help it last. MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish Powder is nice and lightweight but doubled up as a great pressed powder to keep in my clutch bag for the evening.

Eyebrows: I use Illamasqua's Eye Brow cake in Thunder as it's a great powder that has a nice natural colour. I took the time to highlight above and below the brow with a little white foundation to make sure my brows were camera ready. I get my eyebrows tinted, threaded and waxed (whatever it takes to have good brows!) and it should be noted that makeup can't always work wonders; if your brows are in bad shape, get them sorted!

Eyeshadow: Nope....I don't really wear I eyeshadow so I just kept it neat and clean.

Eyeliner: Liquid Liner is my makeup trademark so I couldn't be without it on my wedding day. The only difference is I went below the eye rather than just on the upper lid, it helped make my eyes look more defined and dramatic. I've tried so so so many and my absolute favourite is Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Liner  about £2.99 from Boots.With a foam tip applicator, it goes on smoothly and softly and gives a nice black pigment...and it stays on!

Mascara: Benefit's They're Real Mascara is AMAZING. The silicone comb inside does a lot of the hard work admittedly as you can comb through multiple times without it getting clumpy and depositing too much product. It's not technically waterproof but it really doesn't come off. I considered using lashes on the day but didn't bother in the end, I gave my lashes a helping hand by lifting and tinting them the week before so even without mascara they looked long and dark:

Bronzer: I tend to bronze after I've done the rest of my makeup so I can see how much I actually need. Once eye makeup is done it can look a little more dramatic and you may find you need less. I used MAC's Bronzing Powder in "Refined Gold."

Lip Colour: I don't wear lipstick very often and find that I'm self conscious about it when I do. Instead I wore a little of MAC's Lip Pencil in "Dervish" and MAC's Lip Gloss in "Partial to Pink." 

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup

based in Hertfordshire

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Autumn/Winter 2014: It’s Eye Makeup or NO Makeup

Winter is coming…and whilst that’s a great excuse to dig out those oversized jumpers to hide beneath ready for Christmas hibernation; now is the time to dig out those eyeshadows you casually bought 2 years ago and have never worn because this Autumm/Winter, It’s Eye Makeup or NO Makeup!

Use metallic eyeshadows, bold eyeliners, caked on mascara or even whopper lashes….just make sure to do eye makeup. Bold eyes were used all over the catwalks this season used by designers from Burberry to Dior and it’s worth giving it a go as it can really transform your look and compliment an outfit.

If you already wear bold makeup, why not go nude…on the face that is! The one thing that will never   Use a super hydrating face cream before any makeup application to ensure your makeup looks fresh all day rather than drying out. My favourites are Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base; rich in feel but never greasy, this oil-free face formula, with Shea is the perfect base and can be used as a hydrating primer before makeup application. For super dry skin, I like Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Face Cream; this lightweight formula continues to keep the skin hydrated for hours on end.

falter is radiant skin; Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, we all want great skin so make sure to look after it as the cold winds set in.

Ultimately fashion’s change every season and there’s no wrong or right with makeup, so if you just want to go for the traditional red lip this Christmas then go for it, it’s a timeless look. Makeup always wipes off thought so don’t be afraid to try something new this winter!

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup

Based in Hertfordshire

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

How to Cover Dark Circles Under the Eyes

The skin beneath our eyes is thinner and more sensitive than anywhere else on the face and is prone to dark circles; a giveaway to those sleepless nights, tears and health.

The way to fix this comes down to basic colour theory which we all learnt about in school. Complementary colours are pairs of colours that are “of opposite” to one another; so when dark circles under the eyes have a blue hue to them, we need to neutralise them with a peach coloured pigment.
This is the same reason cosmetic companies for years have produce green tint to help cover redness, it's all about neutralising the problem, not covering it.

Cream Pigment in “Emerge”by Illamasqua is my favourite product in my kit and I’m asked about it so frequently because the results are so effective. This matt, crease-resistant cream, is my must have for tired eyes and I couldn't be without it. The product is blended over dark circles then followed by your usual foundation or concealer on top. There is also Benefit Erase Paste and Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfecter, both also a peach coloured corrector. 



Many cosmetic companies develop under eye correctors which have “illuminators” and too much titanium dioxide in but these have a tendency to just highlight the blue hue rather than neutralising it and can leave you with grey circles around the eyes in photography. The biggest offenders are YSL Touch Eclat and Makeup Forever HD Powder.

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Testimonials for Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist

 

"Vicky completed the hair and makeup for my wedding. She spent several hours with me during a trial and I felt as though there was no rush. Vicky made me feel at ease and I was very relaxed in her presence. The same can be said for the wedding day. She helped to calm my nerves and allowed plenty of time for hair and makeup to be completed. It was perfect and so many people commented on how stunning it looked. I was so pleased. Vicky is very professional and it is easy to warm to her. She even stayed for over an hour after completing my hair and makeup to help out with any last minute bits and to make sure there were no touch ups needed after putting on my dress. In the end she was helping my family with all sorts of bits just before we all left! Thank you so much Vicky! It was all so perfect"

Bride 2012, Radlett, Hertfordshire

 

"You deserve a glowing review! You are great at your job and you made us all feel so relaxed and calm which is exactly what we needed.

What an AMAZING job you did for my hair and makeup it looked stunning and like you assured me, it stayed on/up all night! Thanks again for being so calm, collected and just generally fab. Highly recommend Vicky as a super hair and make up artist who takes time and care to make sure all is perfect and you feel great...and I did!"

Bride 2012, Watford, Hertfordshire

 

Bride:

"Thank you for doing such an amazing job and making me feel like a gorgeous bride. You were absolutely fantastic on the day and it wouldn't have been as relaxed or well organised without your fantastic skills! Xx"

Maid of Honour:

"Hi Vicky, all the bridesmaids have been raving about you today. Thank you for doing such a fabulous job on the bride and my makeup yesterday, you are incredibly skilled and I loved your creativity, especially Natasha's hair. Not only did Natasha look amazing but you were excellent support to the bridal party, especially when there were a few tears! You also went out of your way to help anyone with whatever they needed and we were ever so pleased and appreciated having you there on such an important morning of Natasha's life. Many thanks again, she couldn't have done it without you x"

Bride and Maid of Honour 2012, Maidenhead

Special Occasion Hair and Makeup

"Attending a wedding with my partner and expecting to meet many new faces, I wanted to look my best and make a good impression. I'm so glad you were there to help as the results were stunning; both hair and makeup were subtle yet striking and I looked my best all night long. You were professional and friendly and really helped put me at ease, I'll definitely be recommending you as the ultimate confidence boost!"
Wedding Guest, Hertfordshire

 

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for the beautiful hairstyle and makeup you did for me! It was beautiful and made me feel very special for the occasion. I will definitely be recommending you to my friends and family"
Summer Ball, Hertfordshire

 

Satin Bow Bridal Shop

"We were so proud to announce the launch of our very own range of wedding gowns and you did such a fantastic job transforming our model into the beautiful bride we needed for the day. The photo's came out perfect and were promptly put up on our website! Thank you"
Wedding Dress Shop, St Albans, Hertfordshire

 

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire available for weddings

 

 

Bumble & Bumble and Ojon for Boots

Bumble & Bumble and Ojon both Estee Lauder Companies leading Haircare brands, have announced the launch of “Premium Haircare,” within Boots.
A qualified Bumble and bumble hairstylist will be on hand to give hair care and styling advice in s...

tore. Each unit will have a styling chair for the consultant to provide live styling at the Bb Bar and allow customers to try before they buy. Innovative touch-screens will provide inspirational product and styling information as well as a salon locator to drive customers to Bb salons in their area.

http://www.loveyourhair.com/news/boots-uk-and-estee-lauder-companies-launch-premium-haircare-category

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire available for weddings

Wedding Hair and Makeup Hertfordshire

I always offer a complimentary consultation prior to the trial to introduce myself and to give us the opportunity to discuss your ideas and arrangements for the day. A trial then allows us to try different looks and ideas, often with the help of images, accessories and of course the style of your dress. The trial is also the perfect time to discuss the requirements for the rest of your bridal party and any other concerns you may have. 

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire available for weddings

Strictly Boudoir Photoshoot

I'm so pleased to be invited back to Mikaela Morgan's beautiful photo studio tomorrow in Wilstone village, near Tring, for another Strictly Boudoir shoot tomorrow and Saturday.
 Boudoir photography, bridal boudoir and pin up photo shoots are a growing trend in the UK and is it any surprise? Who wouldn’t want to look gorgeous and glamourous?!

Make sure to check out Strictly Boudoir's gallery...

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire available for weddings

www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Strictly Boudoir, Hertfordshire

I've been invited by Strictly Boudoir's Mikaela Morgan to do the makeup for a shoot this week and I can't wait!
Boudoir Photographer Mikaela Morgan loves helping women to look utterly amazing. She guides women into poses that accentuate the best bits while cleverly playing down or hiding the bits prefered to be kept hidden!
The private boudoir photo studio was formerly a 19th century hayloft and is in beautiful countryside at the edge of Wilstone village location near Tring and Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.
Check out the Gallery, I look forward to seeing our work up there soon!

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist Hertfordshire available for weddings

www.vicky-brown.co.uk