Sister Magazine-Brand Demo Photo Shoot

For the brand demo, everything I used was from Make Up Store including skincare and cosmetics. I find the colour cosmetics are very high pigmented, less fillers (talc and other chemicals) and so the pickup is excellent and long lasting. I'm using more and more Make Up Store products on my clients too because it gives a natural feel, no thick makeup look (thanks to the high pigments) but best of all it got vitamins and minerals that will make the skin healthier!

Three looks were required and I adapted the looks from Make Up Store's 2009 Spring Summer where the colours are inspired by nature-greens and fruity while emphasizing smokey upper lids and strong lower lines. Check the looks here

The first look featured soft earthy tones using light brown on the lid and woody green for the top and bottom eyeline but thicker on the bottom eyelash line to create a sexy daytime look. Lips are orangy pink, i think inspired from a pink grapefruit?

Second look was a lilac colour and violet liner. Lipstick pink with glossy effect.

Last was the strong smokey look using a mossy green shadow. Lipstick pinkish nude.

I love this updo! but we did not use it in the final shot.

Beauty Tip of the Day

Don't be afraid to experiment with coloured liners other than just black. It can create a sexy highlight or contrast for your eyes.

Try to look at nature for inspiration if you worry you will use the wrong colours esp if you want to achieve the natural look. Say if you want to use green, get something that is similar to a leaf colour. For example, if you want to create dramatic colour contrast, just look at a bougainvilla (bunga kertas) plant, it has bright and deep fuschia flower, brown stalks and mix of bright and dark green leaves..If you prefer a soft look, find a picture of a lavender field where you can see the soft purple with the light muted green. Any colour tone will work together if you use nature as a guideline :)

Prom Makeover

Before Makeover



After





Home after the prom ball and clubbing :) she still looks fresh and
awake! What a nite!

Thanks Kynee for the pictures!

Beauty Tip of the Day

For touch ups you just need facial tissue, tinted lip gloss and compact powder. Just blot the face on the oily areas - forehead, nose, chin and under the eyes. Do not rub! Dab some powder on these areas to reset the foundation and put on the lip gloss.

So next time when you're out for a party you don't have to haul out all your cosmetics with you..these three items are the most basic and will do the trick for any occasion!

Fatihah's Trial Makeup For Engagement

Beauty Tip of the Day

To achieve a flawless look, concealer plays an important role. Make sure to conceal under the eye, the corner of the eye, around the nose and also the corners of your lips if these areas are darker than other parts of the face. Want you want to achieve is a one-tone skin colour all over your face. Then you can play with shading and highlights to bring out your best features or hide imperfections.

I like to use Make Up Store Cover All Mix as it comes in 3 colours in one casing which you can mix and match to get the right colour as well as able to use as a highlight and shading base. The texture is also very smooth and its long wearing due to the high pigment.

Some of the makeup I used for Fatihah are Guerlain's Fleur De Feu Limited Edition 4 colour eyeshadow and Le 2 Black Mascara, L'oreal Pastel Repair Lipcream and Make Up Store's All Time Moisturiser, Cover All Mix Light and Glam Rose Blush.

Revathy and Peter Minjoot Wedding

What makeup do you do when the girl hardly wears makeup for everyday and the hubby prefers the bride with no makeup if possible?

Well, definitely it has to be natural looking makeup that stays put under no airconditioning (the church service) and lots of moving about (the wedding dance, quick dash to the bridal suite to change into the second dress and the traditional yamseng at each guest tables)... by the way, natural makeup does not only mean you can't see the foundation or powder but also means that it should brings out your natural beauty while looking fresh and radiant.

Beauty Tip of the Day

For a glowing look, mix mineral powder with your favourite moisturizer and use as foundation. Another way is to brush shimmering powder lightly on forehead, bridge of your nose, chin and the apple of your cheeks. Finish off by powdering your shoulders and the length of your arms if you're wearing an off shoulder dress.

More pictures of the wedding here

Looking for a makeup artist? Here’s what to look for…

1. Asks lots of questions and if the MUA (Make Up Artist) asks as many questions too, that means she cares much about her work and reputation. So what to ask?

-What kind of makeup experiences she has? – be it for print, video or stage. These need different kind of makeup understanding and application to serve different purposes.

-What is their speciality and style? – just like any other types of artists or painters, each MUAs have their own special style of makeup looks. Professional MUAs are capable of doing many styles as required by clients but you will see through their portfolio of certain recurring style or look that will identify them for their work.

-What kind of look would she recommends for you? – see if what she envisions will work for you…if the chemistry is right you will know it and thank your lucky star you’ve found someone you know you will be comfortable to trust her to make you look your best.

2. See their portfolio…regardless of how long they’ve been in business, it is best to see the kind of work they’ve done. Someone who has just started for one year but has done 50 makeup jobs would be considered more experienced than say a MUA with 4 years in the business but only 60 makeup jobs.

3. Hygiene can’t be stressed enough. Does the MUA have a neat and clean appearance? Does he sanitise his hands before each makeup sessions? Cleans his brushes and tools after each client? Ask if you could take a look at his makeup case and products.

4. Request for a trial. Many makeup artists give trials for minimal fee or as part of the makeup package. This is also to test if the MUA has been listening to what you wanted. A MUA no matter how great their skill, is not good when they fail to give what the client want.

A great makeup artist will sit down with you to discuss your wants and needs, likes and dislikes of makeup. The relationship between the artist and the client is a very intimate one. This is one of the last people to be with you right before you walk down the aisle. They have been with you for hours and you may have confided in them as well. It is so important to find the one that will make you feel at ease.

In addition, you should also do some research on your own that can help the MUA understand your wants better. Cut out pictures of makeup look and hairstyles that you like or don’t like. This will save a lot of time explaining to the MUA...like the saying goes ‘a picture says a thousand words’!

Hope these tips helps. Oh, do not forget about your budget too…check around a few MUAs to gauge the market rate…the most expensive ones do not necessarily means they’re the best – vice versa…how do you value beauty? It’s very subjective, so go for something that is within your budget but with the most value – best service, best makeup products, best attitude and most importantly best looking face – you could get for it.

Why Should I Hire a Makeup Artist?

This is the most important day of your life.

1. You found the perfect dress after hunting for it 3 months, travelled overseas and paid a bomb for it.
2. You have put a deposit for the most amazing venue one year ago – just the perfect setting for you and your guests to share the wonderful event together.
3. The menu took one month for you and your partner to decide and parents to approve.
4. You went through countless websites checking out the best photographers in town and prepared to pay a hefty amount for the best cameraman to record your memorable day.
5. The cake, invitation cards, gifts and decorations have been meticulously planned, designed and ordered from the best suppliers.

You do everything to make sure the event will be your most memorable day, everything will be perfect for your guests but what about you? The star of the occasion?

I have come across many future brides that would spend way beyond their means to get the perfect wedding but when it comes to their makeup and hair, they would first ask about the prices and choose the lowest one to be their makeup artist. Probably after spending so much on these other things, they’re trying to cut down their expenses on the makeup.

Long after the wedding is done, the cake has been eaten, and the music has faded away, the pictures will remain to fill your memory with beautiful images...so then why would you not give more thought about how you would look like on your most special day?

This is one of the most photographed days of your life. It stands to reason that you would want to look your absolute best. This is where the Professional Makeup Artist comes in. You still want to look like yourself but even better...more radiant and stunning!

I’m sure you have seen these brides who look washed out or the face is of different colour tone than their neck, eyebrow too thick etc... What about the bride who look like a finalist in a drag queen contest? No amount of retouching can get rid of imperfections like these in your photographs, even with the most highly trained photographers.

Some even do their own makeup, to save cost, because they know how to use makeup for everyday...but unless you’re a professional makeup artist yourself, please leave it to the expert and you will see a lot of difference! Anyway, you’re the queen of the day, why are you doing the work yourself?

I was really lucky to get hold of my makeup artist for my wedding. I know she was a very busy person with many job engagements- she did my bestfriend's makeup for her wedding and I saw how she worked then. I researched her other works and went to see her a few times to discuss the looks and hairdos that I like...and I was willing to pay her that extra fee even knowing I have many makeup artists contacts that I could get much cheaper...I just love her style and works and she is a very nice and warm person...I know she had to be the one!

She made me feel like a star the whole day and the make up made me look like the diva of the show! Thank you Baby E! and to all of you, Best of luck on your wedding day!

3 Basic Steps To Prepare Your Skin Before Makeup

Before putting on makeup, it is very important to first have a properly prepped and cleaned face. More so if you have problem skin like oily skin, dry skin, combination skin or acne. Knowing and practicing the correct way to clean your face could also help improve your skin condition. So here's how you do it..

Step 1. Cleanse
Function - to clean away dirt and unwanted oil on the skin surface.
-Start by splashing your face with water. Not too warm or too cold. Hot water will make your skin drier and too cold will closed up your pores.
-Use a facial cleanser to wash your face. Make the cleanser foam in your hands before applying the foam to your face. It is the foam that will clean the dirt from your pores- not the gel or cream or whatever form the cleanser came as.
-Rub the foam in circular motion starting from forehead. Do not forget your jawline and under the chin too.
-Lastly, rinse carefully. Make sure the foams are all washed away especially around your hairline and jaw areas.

Note: I've tried many brands of cleanser from a few to hundreds ringgits worth. The one that works the best and I'm still using til now was recommended by a dermatologist in Indonesia. It's called AcneAid and you can get it from any pharmacy. It's suitable for all skin and even better for oily skin. The best thing is its only RM13!!

Step 2. Tone
Function-to rebalance the skin PH so that it can absorb moisturiser better and evenly. Also closes up the pores and even help to clean excess cleanser and hard water residue.
-Choose a toner that is suitable for your skin.
-There's two ways of using toner. The easiest way is to spray it on and just tap the mist on your skin. The other way is to soak a cotton ball and wipe it around your face. I prefer to use the spray as its faster and I don't waste the toner and could probably save a tree or two..

Note: Any good reputable brand of toner should be ok. Now, there're so many types of toner that do additional function such as firming, refining etc. Most importantly is to check the ingredient list and see what's in it. The first name that comes out in the list is the heaviest percentage of the ingredients so make sure you make your money worth! Always use products of high quality with natural oils, extracts and vitamins and less chemicals. If the ingredient list has many names you can't even pronounce, better leave it on the shelf.

Step 3. Moisturise
Function-to keep your skin moist and hydrated. This is especially a crucial step for oily and dry skin. Even when you have bad cases of acne, you should never skip this. I'll explain why. When you do not moisturise, your sebaceous glands will have to work overtime to produce natural oils. When these oils are produced in excess, they will clog the pores and this is the reason we get even oilier skin before 12 in the afternoon and one of the great causes of acne.
-Dab the moisturiser on several spots on your face and slowly tap and massage them in an upward motion.

Note: Get a good moisturiser that's suitable for your skin condition. Those with natural oils, extracts and vitamins (C or E) would be better. For dry skin, use those with more natural oils. For oily and combination skin, use those specifically for oily skin. They should not feel oily at all when you touch your face after doing Step 3 but should instead feel soft and supple. A good moisturiser that I've been using for a while now is Make Up Store's All Time. I have very oily skin since young and even til now, and I used to skip this step because I was really afraid my skin will get oilier. But now I know better, and thankfully my oily skin has been under controlled for the past year.

So next time before putting on your makeup, please remember these 3 easy steps and your makeup will be even more beautiful and also last longer!

Tip of The Day-Double Cleansing

Always double cleanse your face after a day of make up.

Here's how you do it.

1. Wash hands and start cleaning your eye makeup first with an eye makeup remover. Put the eye makeup remover on a square cotton and just dab on your eyes and gently swipe it. Don't rush or rub too hard if you don't want to see premature wrinkles there!
2. Next, use a cream cleanser and gently massage on your face starting from your forehead to your cheeks, then nose and chin in a small circular motion. Don't miss the area on the bridge of your nose too.
3. Using cotton, swipe away the cleanser or just wash off with water.
4. Last step is same as no. 2 but use your usual face cleanser-gel, foaming or those with the tiny beads or almond scrub is best.
5. Rinse and your done!

-If you have only light eye makeup, you can skip the eye makeup remover but becareful to not let the cream cleanser gets in your eyes!

Failing to clean your face properly after makeup will leave traces of pigments and leftover makeup ingredient (dirts) on your skin which then will clog pores and more importantly doesn't let your skin to breathe and release your bodily toxins. This is what caused some people to break out and have uneven skin tone. All those toxins are trapped and can't get out! This is also the reason you should wash your face first thing in the morning-there's lots of toxins cleared by your skin once you wake up and you should wash them off as early as you can.