Ben Nye creme rouge swatches

Sorry for the absence, I was a bit busy with peak wedding season but now that we're into the quieter season, on to my most neglected blog!

I just wanted to share a quick swatch of my Ben Nye cream blushes. I like using cream blushes partly because I have dry skin and it works for me and also because powder blushes can sometimes leave too much texture on the skin which I'm not really a fan of. Blush is also one of the first things to fade from your face so by layering a cream blush then a powder blush on top to set helps it to last longer and also intensifies the colour.

Makeup Forever Aqua lip swatches

My favourite lip liners, from Makeup Forever. They are waterproof and long lasting with that matte look but not drying and are actually very smooth and easy to apply.

Sally Hanson complete salon manicure nail polish - swatches

I picked up some Sally Hanson complete salon manicure nail polishes from my local Priceline yesterday. They retail $14.95 for a 14.7ml bottle but it was on sale for $10 and they had a buy 3 pay for 2 special so any excuse to buy for research purposes. Sally knows your busy so there are 5 steps in 1 bottle: base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour and topcoat available in 21 salon inspired shades.

I love it when I turn up to a wedding and everyone's fingers are nicely manicured and why not, there's shots of everyone holding their bouquets, helping dress the bride, putting on earrings and even exchanging rings so it makes sense that nails should be nicely presented. Acrylics or even stick on nails are a great option if you have less then perfect nail beds. If you have nice nails I personally prefer gel polishes which can be done beforehand, lasts up to 2 weeks and you walk out dry so no need to worry bout smudges and accidents.

However I guess not everyone has time as I notice that a few weddings I've attended too bridesmaids and on the odd occasion even a bride painting their nails in between hair and makeup so these polishes got me thinking, since they only ever have time for 2 coats of colour anyways wouldn't it be cool if you got the added bonus of the base, strengthener, growth treatment and topcoat as well!

Temptu airbrush foundation - swatches

Swatches of my silicon based Temptu foundations. I must admit I don't use these through the airbrush gun as I have another favourite brand, however I do like to use these hand applied which gives a very nice, light finish to people who don't need a lot of coverage.

Behind the scenes photos - Vanessa's wedding

A while ago I received more photos from Carla of Vanessa's wedding with her bridesmaids getting ready but haven't had time to upload them so without further ado here they are :) 

Hello 2013

Sorry for the long absence, i've just gotten back from holidays and just a tad bit lazy... 

As I sit here re-reading my first blog post post and reflecting on the year that was, I feel blessed with the opportunities i've had and how i'm steadily progressing. I've had the opportunity to work with many other talented Adelaide hair and makeup artists who have helped take on brides/weddings that I am unable to do and also being trusted to take on brides/weddings that they are unable to do so I will never have to worry about letting anyone down. I've attended to many brides and wedding parties and worked with some wonderful people which has led to some of my hair and makeup work featured/published online at Fashionising.com, fawn magazine and Style me pretty.com. Something I totally wasn't expecting to happen so soon, not that it's a bad thing! So i'll have to change my goal to getting publish in a Bridal magazine in the future instead.

Vanessa's wedding hair and makeup trial

Vanessa and Dave were married on Saturday 17th of November this year at Peter Seppelt's Winery in Springton, South Australia. They were having a very relaxed wedding and since she and her sisters (aka her bridesmaids) usually didn't wear makeup anyways she wanted something simple and natural. So we went with soft colours and a side do so she could have David austin roses in her hair to match her bouquet. Don't mind my crappy photography skills (or lack of…) of her hair and makeup trial done late one night after work in my home studio.