Wednesday, 29 October 2014

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

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

BaByliss Big Hair...It's my favourite styling tool ever


So I thought it was about time I got round to reviewing my favourite hair tool of all time….ever….I couldn’t live without it…I actually have a spare one in case it ever breaks.. The BaByliss Big Hair.
I’ve mentioned it to many or my brides and clients and I couldn’t recommend it enough. I heard about The BaByliss Big Hair a few years ago from one of my brides and it was honestly life changing…it made me unfaithful to my GHD’s and that’s saying something!
My hair is incredibly curly and frizzy and whilst on holiday that’s great for beach waves, at home I was needing to curl or straighten my hair everyday without fail with my GHD’s…not good for heat damage.  Even when I take the time to blowdry my hair with a round brush, it still doesn’t banish the frizz to produce a salon smooth blowdry but with the BaByliss Big Hair it’s so easy!
There are two sizes of big hair, a large barrel for longer hair and a smaller barrel for shorter hair. I use the large barrel but I bought the smaller one for my mum and they’re both brilliant. The BaByliss Big Hair airstyler has a rotating brush to add dramatic volume and shine. It has three settings to use; stationary and then two rotation speeds for total control. The barrel can rotate in both directions also so no need to worry about being left or right handed or which side of your hair you’re styling.
I start with my hair damp rather than soaking wet, then taking sections starting underneath at the nape of the neck and then working up to and finishing at the parting. (Check out the BaByliss video here: http://www.babyliss.co.uk/new-big-hair-50mm.html) It takes about 15 minutes to dry and style hair in total and it really is so easy to do and no…it doesn’t tangle up in your hair! Make sure you still use some styling products and heat protector, I like L’Oreal Mythical Oil to help add moisture and shine and VO5 Smoothly Does It Lotion.
It’s also great to use just on your parting section if your hair needs a little boost in the mornings. Give it a go and be patient, it might take a few attempts before you get the hang of it. For £45 it’s the best investment I’ve ever made!



Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist
www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Friday, 22 August 2014

Makeup on Camera: A Photographers Perspective


It’s your wedding day and it’s so important that you truly feel amazing…and you will! You’ll be surrounded by friends, family and loved ones, you’ll be wearing a beautiful wedding dress and marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with; so wedding hair and makeup is just a finishing touch. Choosing hair and makeup styles should be fun and enjoyable and it really isn’t worth panicking about providing you have found a trust worthy hair and makeup artist.

It’s a pet hate of mine when I hear others say that you need more makeup for it to show on camera, as I’ve never believed that’s strictly true. Of course you need the right products; ones that are good quality and that are going to last all day; and you also need the correct application which helps it look flawless…but that certainly doesn’t mean you need to hide behind a mask of makeup.
Rebecca Wedding Photography says Gone are the days when a lot of flash was used in wedding photography which often washed out the skin colour and tone. These days the natural, relaxed and more fine art photographers use mainly natural light or bounced flash were possible thus capturing a softer real life look.”
As a makeup artist, we are taught to stay clear from using SPF in our products as they can create unsightly grey patches or a ghostly glow. With wedding photography now becoming much more relaxed and documentary style, it means we are less restricted by products so don’t panic too much if you would like to use your favourite product but it still contains a little SPF.

It’s so important that you feel comfortable with your makeup yet still look like yourself; after all you don’t want to give your groom too much of a shock when you walk your way down the aisle!
I once had a Bride that was desperate for a dewy look but was so worried she would have to wear lots of powder for the photographs so not to look shiny.” Says Rebecca Wedding Photography. “ I told her that it was far more important for her to feel comfortable, confident and beautiful on her day and that is what would show through in the photographs, any shots that looked at all shiny could easily be adjusted with a little Photoshop. There were literally 2 or 3 photos from later in the evening that needed this, in the rest of the photos she looked the glowing, blushing Bride she wanted to be.”
If prone to oily skin or you’re particularly worried about shine breaking through, Lucy Noble Photography recommends keeping some blotting paper with you. Blotting paper is a great way to battle shine without applying additional product and building up too much foundation and powder.

A professional will ensure your hair and make up looks great from all different angles which is important for the wedding photos!” Says Clare Tam-Im Photography. “If a professional does the hair and makeup, I rarely come across any problems. I have unfortunately seen it where a bride has applied makeup herself or a friend has done it for her and she has to excuse herself multiple times during the day to go and re-apply as it just hasn’t lasted. Brides don't need any extra stress on the morning of their wedding when they should be excited and looking forward to their day, so when their own makeup application takes multiple attempts it can be a bit tense!”

Please please please be sure to help your makeup artist by giving them a great canvas to start on in the first place. Whilst we can work our magic to an extent, please remember that we are not plastic surgeons or miracle workers! I would definitely recommend getting eyebrows shaped, although you’re not trying to look like a different person, it’s important your brows don’t look unruly or lack definition. Look after your skin and exfoliate, drink plenty of water and eat well. Your body and skin reflect what you eat, so get plenty of vitamins and minerals from your vegetables. If you’re getting any facial treatments done, be sure to get them several days before the wedding as skin can look irritated and be sensitive for a few days following.

Lucy Noble Photography recommends to seriously consider the use of fake tan before the wedding day. “I think fake tan is a real risk factor, nearly every bride feels that they would look better if they have fake tan on so as to look nice and brown …but this is not always the case sadly. This goes for bridesmaids too!  Sometimes it can show up very streaky or too orange on camera and sometimes even rubs off onto the dresses!”

So enjoy choosing your wedding makeup, don’t over think it and remain true to yourself and your usual look. You makeup will be fine, it won’t be applied so that you look like a drag queen and you will have a wonderful wedding day!

Thank you to Rebecca, Lucy and Clare for sharing their knowledge!

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist
Based in Hertfordshire
www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Wedding Day Skin and Hair Preparation


Wedding Day Preparation.

With less than 2 months to go until I get married, I thought I should share what I’m actually doing myself in terms of hair and skin preparation. There are so many advice pages online and in wedding magazines that it can often be a little confusing!

Drinking Water: Around two-thirds of our body is made up of water and if we’re dehydrated, we start to shrivel up…and so does our skin! I’m drinking lots of water to help flush everything through and keep my skin supple.

Expensive Face Creams: Nope! Just pick your products and stick to them, chopping and changing is likely to upset your skin so if it works for you, stick with it. Simple has a great range of products that are free from fragrance and brilliant for sensitive skin and those on a budget. I have sensitive skin prone to breakouts so I’ve chosen products that are kind, calming and soothing: Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner, Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask. Just chose a range that works for you!

Fruit and Vegetables: Nourish yourself from the inside; simply putting expensive products on your skin isn’t going to fix the problem, only hide it. Your skin needs vitamins and minerals to help cell reproductions. Make sure your vitamin C and zinc levels are good; this will help the absorption of iron and hopefully prevent dark circles under the eyes. I’m trying my best to incorporate a green smoothie into my diet to guarantee I get at least my 5 a day. Make sure it’s vegetable based and not just packed with sugary fruit. I’m also taking omega 3 and a women’s health supplement.

Facials: Nope! I’ve had a few facials in the past as a treat but I’m thinking it’s probably not a good time to go and try something new and invasive, after all I’ve survived this long without! No one will be looking as closely at your skin as you do in the bathroom mirror…and if they are, they’re standing too close!

Spots: Don’t pick at them. It’s much easier for a makeup artist to hide a red spot than it is to try an hide a dry, sore and red picked at spot. Put some witch hazel on or a spot treatment cream and let your body deal with it. Easier said than done, I know!

Cut the out Alcohol: If you get problem skin, this is the most important! Alcohol is full of sugars, toxins and is a dehydrator. Think about how awful you feel after a big night and imagine what that’s doing to your skin. Even if this is only a few weeks before the wedding, it’s best to give it a miss.

Regular Hair Cuts: Ok, so this is where the hairdresser in me and my desperation for long hair battle it out. As a hairdresser I know that whilst having your hair trimmed regularly won’t help it grow quicker, it will keep it in tip top condition meaning that its less likely to break. However, if like me your hair seems to have a finite length and never grows, the thought of getting it cut every 6 weeks is a little terrifying! Just look after your hair in the run up to the day, a few hair masks, lay off the heat appliances and try not to over colour.

Fake Tan: No no no! I’ve seen far too many orange hands, feet and elbows and if you’re wearing a white dress, it WILL rub off! I don’t agree with the long term use of sun beds but I will be a few sessions before the wedding day just to help with the glow. Just go to a proper salon that can advise for your skin type and don’t do this long term.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Contouring Do or Don't?


I’m getting asked more and more frequently whether or not I do contouring and despite it being featured daily in magazines and beauty blogs, contouring has been around for a long time!
Contouring is standard practise for makeup artist and is a technique used to enhance and create shadows and highlights on the face. It’s the same as drawing and shading a still life in art; you’re creating the illusions of depth on a canvas where there isn’t any. This technique can help create define cheekbones or an illusion of a different shaped nose, it’s fantastic.
If however you are after a very natural look or you’re not used to wearing a lot of makeup, contouring probably isn’t for you. Whilst a small amount of contouring can be used in basic makeup application,  the attached pictures of Helen Falanagan and Kim Kardashian demonstrate how contouring can be used to the max!
Check out this great tutorial from the team at Illamasqua to see how it’s done step by step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1VioAh_FMU&feature=share&list=UUtOMYpk2q87zf2G84AxjvRw&index=2

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup
Based in Hertfordshire
www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Your Herts and Beds Wedding Magazine

It was lovely to be asked to advise on the expert panel for Your Herts and Beds Wedding Magazine this issue!




Q: We're getting married this summer and are having a traditional church wedding as both of our families are quite religious. We are however both quite 'alternative' and would like to to express this on our wedding day. I wondered how we might achieve this through hair and make up - any ideas?

A: It's really lovely that you have decided to do this for both your families but its so important you find a style that you love and feel comfortable in too! A great option could be to have two looks for the day, something classic and timeless for your church ceremony and then something which will appeal to your alternative style thereafter. Speak to your hair and makeup artist about a style that can be easily adapted, perhaps a flash of red lipstick and swapping to an oversized hair accessory will help transform your look? There are some great online stores providing alternative hair accessories and this could be the perfect way to quickly change your look without jeopardising the hairstyle!

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist
Based in Hertfordshire
www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

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