Adore Beauty Pty Ltd

Tuesday 28 October 2014

L'amour Glamour-Front Cover

So happy that I could be on such a fabulous team that made it to the front cover of The Best Scottish Weddings Magazine.  This is my second cover I have had the pleasure of working on and it gives me a great sense of achievement.  Shot at Ingiliston Country Club in Bishopton we were surrounded by gorgeous scenery and the beautiful sights, sounds and smells that having horses about brings! 

The gowns were show stoppers and all about all out glamour, details that could be changed up (such as detachable trains) or little quirks in design that just makes these dresses draw dropping, my favourite was the cut out detail in the red lift shot this dress really blew me away!  I chose a smokey eye using neutral and warm browns, a really fresh look to skin to keep the dark berry and red lip looking really modern and still bridal.  I think the images really show how a more dramatic make up look can still look natural, elegant and very bridal.
















Photography: Hamish Campbell
Fashion: Beth Forsyth & Sarah Gillespie
Make up: Amy Hughes Made Over Ladies
Hair: Kirsty Stevenson Made Over Ladies
Model: Lauren Tempany Model Team












Monday 27 October 2014

Simple contouring with powder


Soooo contouring then? I always get asked about this as if contouring is a new and crazy difficult make up technique but it's really not it it's been part of a make up artist techniques for years plus can be simple, quick and incorporated into your daily make up routine (if you want to).  I do it most days and it's really not complicated and really is just strategic placement of bronzer. If you want to read more in detail about it see here and here

Here's my easy peasy technique:
1. Choose a matt bronzer this is the Rimmel Natural Bronzer (which has some slight shimmer)other good options are Benefit Hoola, Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzing powder I love this tapered blusher brush by Eco tools for this task
2. Make your first sweep under the cheekbones (from the top of the ear at an angle going toward the corner of the mouth but stopping about 1 or 2 inches from the mouth)
3. Go under the jawline (you can also bring this down the decleotage)
4. Sweep down the sides of your nose and lightly under the tip of your nose
5. Optional extra- the upper corners of your forehead
6. Go over each area again adding a little bit more product if you need it.


Voila easy peasy contouring...

.

Thursday 23 October 2014

How to do your own wedding make up- added drama!

I'm honoured to be featured on the fabulous Braw Brides once again with a new wedding make up tutorial I've opted for a budget look this time round but the products I have chosen are great quality & still long lasting and is just a little bit more drama for your big day.

If you like the look and are interested in the products click on any of the clicks below and you can buy it all online. Easy peasy!


SHOP THE POST 


Brushes I used:
Nasnshy Blending Brushperfect if you have small eyes or need more precision!

Here's the finished look...







Wednesday 22 October 2014

Changing up your make up for the season...

As Autumn/Winter sets in here in the UK I've been thinking about the ways I change up my skincare and make up routine to suit the change in weather and to ensure my make up tones & colours  suit the richer warmer tones we see in winter fashion.




Plum.

No big surprise here and sorry if it's predictable but I love plum for autumn/winter.  My favourites for lips is Clinique's Chubby Stick in Broadest Berry or if you prefer a lipstick I particulary like No 7's Moisture Drench in Sugar Plum.  Both are cool tone and therefore have that magic teeth whitening effect.  I always think you can go really bare minimum on the rest of your make up but still look really impactful will a darker lip.

Exfoliate.

You might have found that you have become more prone to breakouts since autumn has hit that's usually because we tend to suffer blocked pores .  So as the weather gets colder we really need to treat our skin to a good exfoliation once or twice a week to let the healthy skin shine through and shed the drier flakier skin that comes hand in hand with winter.  I personally like a hot cloth cleanser option such a the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish but to be honest you don't need to spend a fortune you can use your usual facial wash but buff it off with a muslin cloth.  Follow the exfoliation with a good serum or facial oil, these products have much smaller molecules than moisturiser so gets absorbed into the the skin quickly and goes much deeper.  If your skin can really handle it and isn't prone to breakouts follow up your serum or oil with a rich night cream to really lock in that moisture.

Warm Browns.

I love using warmer browns and copper tones in make up at this time of year as it suits so many eye colours.  They can make blue eyes appear bluer, green eyes warmer and brown or hazel eyes richer.  They are really worth experimenting with if you don't really use them.  Copper pigment placed in the centre of the lid over a soft brown smokey eye is a great way to really make your eye stand out I like the Barry M Dazzle Dust in Venus as they are very fine and inexpensive!  If you feel like treating yourself you can rely on the MAC pigments to transform a smokey eye into something more intense and lustrous.  My favourites are copper sparkle and for a darker finish I like Blue Brown.

Moisture.

As we succumb to turning our central heating on and we receive less vital vitamin D from the sun our skin becomes parched and that's how it becomes drier in the winter.  Treat it from the inside by drinking lots of water, get yourself a nice water bottle and get guzzling.  I did this about mid August and I find it so easy to drink more water now however feel a bit lost when I leave the house without it!  Also try and replace some of the moisture in the air in your home by placing bowls of water near the heat sources around your house which will also stop your hair & nails from drying out.

Bronze.

Yes you are still allowed to use bronzer.  Just because it's autumn now it doesn't mean you have to banish any warmth to your skin in fact a bronzer can really help compliment the warm browns, plums, rich greens and even mustard colours that we see more of in Autumn/Winter.  I tend to change to matt textures though and add a bit of shimmer just with a highighter. I love the Korres Wild Rose Compact to add a bit of warmth but it gives such a velevty finish I think this is something I will always re-buy. I generally also use this in a scuplting way so not so all over bronze as I would in summer.   Look out for my upcoming post 'easy contouring with powder' soon.  If you prefer to stick to something you know go for Benefit's Hoola although its quite dark in colour it is matt therefore great for adding colour and definition to the face but not sparkle which is much more in keeping with autumn/winter make up.

This gorgeous wee make up bag was found on Etsy.



Friday 10 October 2014

Wedding Make Up and 'The Rules'

The rules are...there are no rules.

Just like every detail when it comes to your big day you will likely carefully deliberate over your wedding make up, you can trawl through Pinterest for inspiration, look to the red carpet for to see what the A-listers are doing or tear out glossy pictures of your dream bridal looks from countless wedding mags. The key to choosing the right look is to stay true to who you are.  Just like most of your choices for your wedding day what you opt for your bridal make up is a personal thing. If you are a smokey eye fiend and you turn up to your big day with a natural look you will likely look back and think 'who is that marrying my husband?'.   You may think "I usually do XYZ but as it's the wedding I better not"  Wether you are doing your own or putting your trust into the hands of a professional have a think about how you really want to look in your photos and think about a compromise between your go to make up and the look you want to look back on for years to come. 

If you are doing your own make up for your big day make sure you practise and photograph in lots of different light.   You want to ensure your make up translates from natural daylight to evening dimlight and you want to choose a look that takes you from day to night.  If you are a natural make up girl think about the close up and how you look from a-far generally you need a little more definition that you would on a day to day basis so that likely means more contour, more depth to your eye make up, using a lip liner to really give shape to the lips plus fill up your lips in completey to give staying power under your lip colour.  Don't be afraid to try something a little more exaggerated you could try a more pigmented lip colour or go for a statement liner to add definition to your lash line you can still be natural but more polished and standout in your wedding pics.


  


If you prefer more make up drama think about what you're wearing does your smokey eye or bright lipstick really tie in with your wedding dress and flowers? Do you need to tone it down to be softer? Smokey can still be soft and romantic the answer is to blend blend blend and tone down potentional harshness with taupes and soft browns in your eye make up.  Is your go to lip colour the right shade to tie in with your wedding bouquet, your bridesmaid dresses and your hubbies tie/buttonhole? Think about your overall colour scheme and make sure you are choosing tones from the same or complimentary colour family. 
                                       
A subtle smokey eye looks particularly gorgeous in black & white photography.

Going for a statement look? Be brave there's nothing to stop you from teaming a dramatic smoked out eye with an equally dramatic deep lip as long as you wear it with confidence!  Some of the more daring bridal looks are inspired by a theme and are still classic and gorgeous.  The Great Gatsby theme has been big and will continue to be and with the release of Grace of Monaco to be released in 2014 there will be the thumbs up to polished porcelain skin and sophisticated red lip a sure fire way to nail a timeless make up look.

Finally once you've finished your make up let it settle for a while then reassess. Have your make up done before your hair if you feel there's a bit of 'settlement' into fine lines lightly buff with a clean kabuki brush and then add any more product only if you need it.  A finishing touch is usually always an extra 'push' of blush which means literally push the brush onto the apples of cheeks then sweep upwards along cheekbones (a gentle touch gives best results!) A final spritz of fixing spray (try MAC fix plus) to give a refreshing and finishing touch.  Most of all when it comes to your wedding make up stay true to your individual style and you will not be disappointed and most of all happy and confident!

Ax

Sunday 5 October 2014

Chic little wedding day warmers...

Whether it's something to throw over your shoulders to heat you up in the chillier weather (here in the northern hemisphere) or just something to cover up with and just add a little extra wow factor there is so much choice out there to compliment your wedding gown.

The Humble Cardigan. 

It's good enough for Kate...in her evening outfit Kate wore a gorgeous mohair shrug I really liked how this managed to make her wedding dress a bit more casual and gave her a relaxed look. You could go for a colourful cardi like this stunning yellow one to add a pop of colour and tie in your wedding flower colour.  I love a blue cardi as your something blue & you could even add extra detail to your gown by choosing a bow detail cardigan....the ear muffs I also find adorable for a winter wedding.



Capelets.

Perfect for covering shoulders if you're worried about exposing a little too much skin. Lace, beaded, sequinned they are all beautiful options for adding an extra smidgen of sparkle & style!  It could be a made from vintage lace, adorned with jewels or simply covered in sequins this is a great way to inject a bit of personality into your wedding dress.


Feathers & Fur.

If you are looking for something to add a bit of warmth to your wedding outfit why not go all out with a vintage fur/faux fur coat or feather bolero.  I love this option as a cover up as it adds extra texture and will look stunning in your wedding photos.  Go for a contrasting colour to really make your choice stand out or opt for a white to keep it all neutral.  



Follow my board over on Pinterest for more of my chic little wedding warmers :)



Wednesday 1 October 2014

How to do your own wedding make up- Added Drama

As we move into autumn/winter its the time of year we tend to get a little braver with our make up and we go for the richer and more sumptuous colours.  This how to do your own wedding make up is a good balance between injecting some rich colour but still keeping it classic for your big day.  Plus I have made this tutorial all with budget products because lets face it if you are doing your own wedding make up the chances are you aren't heading off to Space NK to buy all of your wedding day cosmetics....even though I know you deserve it!  I have included a full product list at the end of the post.  This would also be a great special occasion make up for attending a wedding or a night out.


As always I start with the eyes...

1. Start by prepping the eye with either an eyeshadow primer or if you don't have one use some concealer sparingly dabbed over your entire lid up to the brow.
2. With a plum kohl pencil draw a v shape in the outer corner of your eye (this acts as your colour base which gives the eyeshadow something to stick to and makes the colour you apply next more vibrant)
3. Blend Blend Blend. Make sure you soften the kohl right out but keeping it in a V shape at the outer corners (you don't have to be tidy here)
4. Apply your darker colour (Regal a rich aubergine colour from the sleek I Divine Au Natural palette) over where the pencil has been blended out.  Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush for this and remember to keep to the outer V shape.
5. Clean up underneath the eye if you have bended a bit too far out.  Use a cotton bud dipped in eye make up remover to sweep diagonally from the outer corner out towards the end of the brow.  This will give a nice clean finish.



6. Pat the lighter colour (I am using Taupe) over the rest of the lid and into the inner corner.  
7. Use a transition colour (I have chosen Cappucchino) to sweep through the crease, this helps to give your eye dimension and depth.

On to the liner...

8. Using a eyeliner pen (i'm using the L'oreal Superliner).  Hold the pen horizontally and very tight to your lashes (make sure you are using the long side of the pen)  I like to start about three quarters of the way along (this helps to keep the eye look open and wide draw small strokes along the lash line (keeping tight to the lashes) if you need to pull your eyelid up slightly to get to the lashline go ahead and do this (you don't want any gaps)
9. Once you have your horizontal line along the lash line pull the line upwards and out (imagine your lower lashline being stretched up toward your brow as your guideline)
10.Once you are happy with the length start from the point and bring it back down at an angle to make a (kind of) triangle shape
11.Fill in the gap so it's all black (you can also go over this with a black shadow if you want a softer line)
12. Go ahead and apply your mascara top & bottom (I'm using one with a primer which is applied first to lengthen the lashes) you can also apply some of the darker shadow along the lashline if you want to






Perfect the skin...


13. For wedding day skin I want it to look dewy but not shiny so I've chose a combo of primers an illuminating one for most of my face which I apply with my foundation brush and a matifying one I use over my nose, forehead & sides of nose (these are my shiny areas adjust what you use according to your skin)


14.  I use two methods for applying foundation (you can read more in detail in my 5 minute tip) but basically I start by using my flat brush and sweeping some of the foundation down from the centre of my face then switching to a buffing brush to 'whisk it round' this fills in pores and any fine lines.  I the move round my face doing the same two step process until I have a nice even and flawless coverage.





Safe and easy contouring...

15. In my last wedding tutorial I opted for contouring with stick foundation but without practise you run the risk of a muddy complexion (not good for bridal make up) using a powder is the easiest and safest method use a matt bronzer (this is rimmel) I always start under the cheekbones as this is where I want the most concentrated product.  I sweep the bronzer from the top of my ear down in a diagonal towards the corner of my mouth. 
16. Next the jawline, sweep under the jawline to shade the area below, if you need a bit more help in that area sweep down the neck and even into the décolletage.
17. Sweep down each side of the nose and under the tip of the nose for some gentle nose slimming effects and finally touch the brush over the corners of your forehead. This is what I call soft focus contouring I do it in every make up I do it means I can still see your skin but the angles of your face are emphasised in the softest of ways as we use bronzer it also adds warmth and colour to your skin.



Add blush & conceal/highlight...

18. I've chosen a soft peach blush to keep the skin looking nice and fresh I've chosen a cream blusher by revlon, just tap this up and over the cheekbones on the diagonal starting from the apple directly above where you applied your contour
19. Conceal (& highlight) they areas you wish to conceal are usually under the eyes, down the centre of the nose, mid forehead and also sometimes the upper lips, I opt for a pen concealer draw in where i want to highlight then blend blend blend
20. Also do any spot concealing here if you have any blemishs you'd like to cover
21. I then set my highlight with a loose powder and add any extra powder I require over the shiney areas
22. If you like an illuminated look sweep a highlighter over the cheekbones (above where you placed the blush) in this case I used the 'taupe' shade from my eyeshadow palette. 



Get a retro brow...
23. Start by brushing the brows up and outwards
24. Using a stiff angle brush start at the arch by filling in with a complimentary eyeshadow. If you are going for a retro brow extend them outwards here at this peak then start moving the brush downwards on an angle, go ahead and fill in the rest of the brow keeping the start the most natural (go lightly on product less is more here)
25. Use a dab of concealer to highlight on the brow bone and just above the arch (this has the effect of a brow lift) you can also use whats left on your concealer to correct any mistakes you have made or to soften the arch if you've made it to pointy


The drama part...
26. I've opted for a dark lip for this look I start by lining the lip if you don't like a fully lined lip follow the guide below then blend all over with a fingertip
27. Pack your lip brush with your lip colour and apply starting from the centre of the lip this way you can really work it into the lips to create a stain then as you work outwards to the lip line you can use the brush to  perfect the line getting right into the corners of the lips and sharpened out the cupids bow
28. Blot the lips
29. Reply & then if you like an uber glam look apply a complimentary dramatic gloss


Add more drama with lashes...
30.  Your finished eyeshadow should look something like this adding individual lashes just adds more drama
31.  I came across these little bunched lashes in Superdrug and I love them for self application and comfort...I find them much more comfortable than a strip
32. Whatever lashes you choose the application is the same.  Firsty put a drop of lash glue on the back of your hand and dip the knotted edge lightly in the glue then let the glue dry a little bit (count to 30ish) before you apply.
33. You are aiming to put the lashes on top of your own lashes and get them as close as you can to your own lash roots use tweezers to 'tuck' the lashes in behind your own natural lash.
35.  Apply 3 of these bunches to each eye and allow the glue to dry or 6/7 individuals all the way across
36. Once its all dry go back in with your liner and paint over the lash glue.


Here's the finished look...




Not ready for a dramatic eye & lip combo? I added an alternate lip just in case you wanted a more neutral but still gorgeous option.  This peach lip is Max Factor's Pink Brandy.  I finished off the make up with a spritz of Evian's Spring water which keeps the skin fresh and helps your make up last.  Great to take along with you and spriotz through out the day.



Let me know your thoughts ladies and if you try it out? And what do you prefer the Berry Stained lip or the soft peach lip?

If you like my flowercrown...pop back over to the blog next week for a DIY flowercrown tutorial.


SHOP THE POST 


Brushes I used:
perfect if you have small eyes or need more precision




October Wishlist

Time for a new feature here and it's not all about make up! This is my monthly round up of what I think is gorgeous and makes it on to my wishlist.  In other words... satisfy my inner shopaholic!




Original High Heel Boots by Hunter  

Now don't scoff as these are just fabulous!  I remember when the wedge wellies came out and I just didn't see the point but these babies aren't even trying to be practical they are simply a statement with the added bonus of keeping your feet dry!

Oops I'm a little bit in love with this ring.  I went into Pandora to have a look at their gorgeous little stacking rings I thought I could get mine and Poppy's birthstone rings with the view to give her hers when she's older then I stumbled across this!  Gorgeous plus I have a particular penchant for feathers at the moment.

How have I never fedora'd before? I love a hat and this autumn/winter I will be shunning the humble hood for this little number to keep me dry on the rainy Scottish school run. This one from Forever21 is a steal and I think kills two birds with one stone as I can never seem to find a stylish coat with a hood.

I went into River Island recently looking for a present for my friends birthday I was at the wallet stand for a good half hour trying to choose from their gorgeous range.  I like that it's a proper grown up purse (yes lots of sections for your cards and receipts etc etc) but style has a bit of flair & design. What's even better is they also have matching bags & even luggage for some of them!

SO... hope you like my October Wishlist if you'd like to see more posts like this please let me know with a comment.  Happy Shopping! x