Everyone lets support Cervical Screening Awareness Week to 15th June and make a mark on Cervical Cancer.

Every day in the UK 9 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3 women will lose their lives to the disease. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

Get your red lipstick out this week and be glamourous whether you want to wear a matt lipstick, sheer gloss, satin finish lipstick, a chubby stick or a wash of colour lets think red.   Plus we will be able to support The Red Lippy Project.

Make a donation to The Eve Appeal to raise funds for vital research and put on your red lips and share photos on Instagram #theredlippyproject or you can follow them on twitter @redlippyproject.

How did i achieve this look for the shoot?

The focus was all on the lips which needed to be prepared before any lipstick was applied.

1.  Make sure the lips have been exfoliated

2.  Use a lip balm to nourish the lips in particular when you apply a strong pigmented coloured lipstick

3.  Blot the excess amount of lip balm with tissue

4.  To help ensure the lipstick stays on a bit longer apply a lip fix primer

5.  Use a soft lipliner and apply all over the lips.

6.  Apply lipstick with a lip brush.  Apply first coat starting from the middle part of the lips and apply to the outer corners.  Blot with a tissue and apply second coat.

Products used

Exfoliator Sugar Lip Polish by Fresh

Lip Balm   Pro Balm

Lipliner   Boots No7 in Nude

Lipstick  Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in No 22

Image supplied by www.richyleeson.com

This look was inspired by the latest campaigns from Tom Ford.

I wanted to share with you the products i used to create this look.  You must excuse the working sheet and my handwriting..

AP means Ariane Poole…but these sketch charts i use all the time to create the look i want to achieve.

To create the look the skin need to be flawless and to highlight and contour the features especially the cheekbones, nose, chin and forehead.

The focus is mainly on the eyes and the trick is to over exaggerate the eyes with black eyeshadow and eyelashes to create almost a “doe like eye effect”.

1.  highlight the eye area with a white/silver eyeshadow all over the eyelid ( you could also use blue or green to create the look as well).

2.  use the black eyeshadow and draw a line in a curved shape across the eyeliner/socket area slightly higher than you normally would.

3.  use a black khol pencil to outline the eyeliner as a guide and then use gel eyeliner and apply with a brush to create the “cat flick” effect.

4.  curl the eyelashes with eyelash curlers and apply mascara on top and bottom

5.  place false eyelashes on the top and also the bottom..you can use strip or individual eyelashes to create the look.

6  keep the lipstick nude and semi matt.

Make-up supplied by Ariane Poole

Make-up supplied by Kiko

Inspiration from Tom  Ford

Photographer Stan Seaton

Hairdresser Dianne Minnes Hairdresser

Robert Johnson a local author is planning a book launch and tour around the country and wanted a video for his website, You Tube and to be able to play at the launches. One of his main concerns that he wanted his skin to look as perfect as it could on film and camera.

One Saturday on a snowy February we headed up to an amazing private school steeped in history. Barnard Castle School and was allowed to film all day in and around the school, private library and gym.

The process of the make-up was to keep the skin as natural as possible and to hide any blemishes. The make-up needed to be as natural as possible for this video and not for the make-up to be seen. I used very little products on the skin but the main ones were skin primer, concealer, light reflecting concealer and powder.

See below a quote linked to the video and i hope you enjoy Roberts’s journey….

As quoted by the author
It has been said that a writer will travel on a road of solitude when they create their masterpiece.

But it is not a journey of simplicity, from a writer’s mind you will face the harshness of the world as soon as your feet touch the ground.

Progression is your desire, but your conscious is driven by your thirst for perfection. This is a journey you intend to take without the misfortune of error.

The great writers wait to greet you with open arms, but only the brave will be able to walk in their presence.

But light will continue to follow the righteous so long as their faith in what they create remains true. For darkness will seek out the prevaricator.

And so you travel, hoping that you will make your mark on the world. But only death is a guarantee in this life, and you must overcome adversity in order to reap the rewards of success.

Author R S Johnson The Mind of a Novelist
Directed by: Alan Fentiman www.alanfentiman.co.uk
Location: Barnard Castle School www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
Make-up supplied by Ariane Poole and Aston Mitchell
www.arianepoole.com and www.astonmitchell.co.uk

Wanted to share with you a behind the scenes shoot and video that i was involved in for Darlington Weddings

Spring Summer 2013 Magazine as seen below on the front cover.  

Darlington Weddings SS/13 shoot from richardleng.com on Vimeo.

The make-up i used on the shoot to achieve the look are:

Face:

SteamCream Moisturiser

Ariane Poole Retexturizing Primer

Ariane Poole Mineral Tint Foundation

Ariane Poole Conceal and Contour Palette

Eyes:

Ariane Poole Illuminator Pen in Medium

Shu Uemura Black Eyeshadow

Kiko Black Eyeshadow

Ariane Poole Superwear Gel Eyeliner in Black

Blusher:

Rimmel Blusher in Spring Flower

Lips:

Kiko Pencil Lipgloss in No 12

Images supplied by
www.stanseatonphotography.co.uk
www.richardleng.com

Dresses supplied by
www.poppybridal.co.uk using www.jennypackaham.com

Make-up suppliers
www.steamcream.co.uk
www.arianepoole.co.uk
www.kikocosmetics.com
www.rimmellondon.com
www.shuuemura.co.uk

The shops are filling up with Spring/Summer clothes, magazine are full of the new looks to achieve for this season and plans to change your look and have a spring clean of make-up is perfect this time of year.

There are many key trends for Spring/Summer 2013 make-up but the main ones are strong lips and the colour pink.  I wanted to use the inspiration from the catwalks of the key trends but wanted the make-up to be wearable for everyday use.  I have also shared with you my sketch charts which i use for every single make-up application i am involved in whether its for a wedding, fashion, editorial or fashion catwalk show.  I have listed all the products i used for each look which gives you an insight into my make-up kit.

Inspiration from Giles Deacon Catwalk Spring/Summer 2013

The inspiration came from weddings in country manors with a twist of Russian ice Queen in mind.

This second look is slightly softer and with the make-up adapted for weddings.   The look is soft pinks, subtle hues of colours as a hint which gives it an overall natural look.

Images supplied by
www.gaspphotography.co.uk
www.joedodsworth.co.uk

When contemplating these thoughts, ask yourself the following questions

1. Do you know how to apply make-up to bring out your best features in order to get the best results on your wedding photography?
2. Do you know how much make-up to put on to show up on your wedding photos?
3. Do you know how to correct any flaws in the skin ie dark circles, redness without having layers upon layers of foundation and concealer on that just sits on the skin?

If you have answered ‘No” to any of the above questions than you might want to consider booking a professional make-up artist for your wedding day.

I understand your wedding day is unique to you and finding a make-up artist who will suit your style may require some research from recommendation, talking to your hairdresser, visiting wedding fayres/exhibitions and even asking your photographer before you decide.  Wedding make-up is critical for being “camera ready” for your photographs.  Its easy to think by applying heavier amount of make-up than your normal routine will work but a professional make-up artist will understand how much make-up needs to be applied based on the following:

1. Style of wedding you are planning
2. Location of wedding whether you are getting married at home or abroad
3. The time of year you get married
4. Style of wedding photographer you have chosen 

My Top Tips on “Why choose a make-up artist for your wedding day”

1. Check if she/he specializes in wedding make-up.
2. Look at their website for images that you might like yourself
3. Ask around, have you heard of this make-up artist before
4. If they exhibit at wedding fayres pop along and have a chat to see if you feel comfortable with them
5. Will they be available on your wedding day plus a professional make-up artist will offer a make-up trial before hand
6. If you would like to still apply your own make-up ask for a make-up lesson as an option
7. Hiring a professional make-up artist will help to ease the stress on the morning and you can sit back and relax and feel pampered
8. A professional make-up artist will work with you to achieve your chosen look for your wedding day

Image supplied by

Sally Thurrell Photography

www.sallytphotography.com

The rich creamy texture of these lipsticks applied with a lipbrush go on a dream and are so easy to apply.  The depth of colours and choice of colours are suitable for most complexions.

My favourite colours at the moment are

05, 08, 22, 101

Price point of these lipsticks range around £5.49.  This is an excellent price for a quick update on a make-up look or a make-up trend.

How to apply the perfect lipstick?

1.  Make sure you lips are prepared before you apply the lipstick.  The condition of the lips will make all the difference to how the lipstick look.  Once a week exfoliate the lips with Clarins Lip Exfoliator and moisture the lips with Lucas PawPaw Ointment.

2.  If you like to use a lipliner always match the lipliner with the lipstick.  This stops having two different shades showing on the lips

3.  In order to make the lipstick last a bit longer…apply with a lipbrush. This enables to the lipstick to go on evenly and you can build the colour as strong as you want.  Blot the first coat of lipstick with a tissue and reapply with a second coat.

As quoted by the Bride.

CLAIRE WAS OUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND SHE IS FAB. SHE PUT US AT EASE FROM OUR INITIAL MEETING AND ‘GOT’ ME AND HOW I WANTED THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHED AND HOW TO MAKE ME LOOK NICE (I’M NOT A DRESS PERSON). AS PART OF THE PACKAGE WE GOT A FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT WHICH IS A BRILLIANT IDEA – YOU GET TO SAMPLE HOW IT IS TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED ON THE DAY AND SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. IT WAS ACTUALLY FUN (I ALSO AM NOT A PHOTO PERSON) AND CLAIRE SHOWED US THE PICTURES AS A SLIDESHOW AT HOME BEFORE THE WEDDING SO WE COULD SEE HOW AMAZING SHE MADE US LOOK. CONSEQUENTLY I HAD 100% FAITH IN HER AND THE PHOTOS WE GOT ON THE DAY.

OUR MAKEUP WAS DONE BY JO LEVERSUCH DIRECTOR OF MAKE-UP BY JO LTD WHO IS FANTASTIC. WE HAD A TRIAL RUN A FEW WEEKS BEFORE AND NOTED HOW I WANTED THE MAKEUP DONE. SHE WORKED MAGIC AND I DIDN’T LOOK TOO BAD ON THE DAY IF I SAY SO MYSELF! SHE WORKS WITH CLAIRE REGULARLY AND KNOWS HOW TO BALANCE LIGHT/CAMERA FILM AND MAKEUP TO PRODUCE A LOOK WHERE I FELT COMFORTABLE AND BEAUTIFUL.

Image supplied by Burns Rowatt Photography

www.burnsrowattphotography.com

Happy New Year to everyone and lets begin 2013 with clean make-up brushes and tidy out the old make-up you may have stored away in a back of a cupboard. 

There are many reasons for keeping your make-up brushes clean

* removes old make-up that builds up on the brushes

* bacteria and germs that could cause skin issues and breakouts and reactions to products

* cares for the expensive make-up brushes you have made an investment in

How often should you clean your brushes ?  ideally as a guideline these should be washed at least once a week in a mild shampoo. If you use alot of make-up over the week, than maybe every other day if you can.

*To clean you brushes you should start in tepid water only with the bristles in the water.  Keep the brushes upside down when wet so that the soapy water does not seep into the handle part of the brush.

*Next start with using a mild baby shampoo.  Pop the shampoo in the palm of  your hand and wash the brushes one by one adding a little tepid water time by time.  Make sure your thoroughly rinse and repeat until the brushes are totally clean, always keep the handle away from the water.

*After the brushes have had a good wash.  Dry them carefully with paper towel and lay them flat on a towel overnight.  Depending on how thick the brushes are they will vary on how long they take to dry.  You can keep them flat on the towel and pop them in the airing cupboard.  Don’t  dry with a hairdryer as the heat will damage the bristles.

Keeping your brushes clean will prevent any bacteria issues and your make-up will go on more smoothly onto the skin.

Make-up can be an expensive purchase during the months from purchasing mascaras, foundations, blushers, lipsticks etc.  Expiry dates on make-up will vary from brand to brand. Most brands have a symbol on the product indicating how long it will last once opened.  For example if it says 6m you should use in 6 months or 12m than 12 months etc.  Take a look at your products and take notice of them.

For hygiene reasons mascara should be used within 2-3 months only, your eyes are extremely sensitive and the mascara wand comes into contact with eyes and air which causes bacteria infections.  Eyeliners should also be regularly sharpened to prevent any build up of bacteria.  Most other products from foundations etc will last for around 6 months to 18 months.  Always store your make-up in a cool dry place and avoid sharing any make-up to your friends and family.

I hope you have found this small blog useful.  Have fun and enjoy tidying out your make-up.

Image of the Shu Uemura brushes was taken by myself.