REVIEW - NEW Dior Addict Ultra Gloss

Huge new launches from Dior this month, with there 18 new formulated glosses.

I've always been hit and miss with lip glosses, due to the stickiness and the wind blowing hair stick! I know that's the reason you dislike them too ;) 

But I eventually found my favourites... Guerlain, Nars and of course Dior.
This month Dior brought out their new formulations lip glosses from the previous Dior Addict range.
Now it's Dior Addict Ultra Gloss. Their new make-up  designer Peter Philips has started of great in this brand and also has made lots of new products which will be released this summer. (I can't wait to tell you some of them)

The Essential Make-up Brushes You Need

Happy 1st April,

Hope you didn't get pranked too many time this morning!
Not only is it blog post day, but as its the 1st, my APRIL EDITION - Make-up Artist Newsletter email gets sent to my lovely subscribers today. WOOOO <3
Lots of hard work gets put in these newsletters through the whole month, so I hope you love!
If you haven't already subscribed, just CLICK HERE

Recently I did a poll on my Twitter
What would you like to see on my blog posts throughout April?
- Product Reviews
- Advice/Tips on Make-up
- Lifestyle (work related)
- Daily Beauty Essentials
50% of the vote went to Daily Beauty Essentials so this week I'm starting off advising you with the Make-up Brushes you NEED.

The brushes I am going to recommend are the ones I use most often when doing my daily make-up and my extras for more dramatic makeup such as a night out.

Holiday Beauty Best Buys

I was lucky to fit a holiday in March this year, I was indeed needing a break with time to unwind and relax my little head.
Im always on to the next thing with my business and although I love it, I do need to give myself a rest every now and again.

I went to Lanzarote on the Canary Islands, I have been a few times some years back but it was nice to go back and see the pretty island again. I went to Puerto Del Carmen which is known as the more lively area so there was more things to do with lots of Cafes, Restaurants and Bars. I did experience lots of different foods every night out there. I don't think i had the same thing once!
Yes you all know I'm a health and fitness freak but I only let myself indulge on the evening meals but now its nice to be home and back to my old habits.

How to get Glowing Skin

Decided to give you all a post on how to achieve glowing skin. 

I want to get you all ready for the Spring/Summer and without a doubt it's going to be all about glowing skin.

First of all I recommend getting your skincare routine perfect! 

A good cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser (day/night) and a face mask that you should use one a week.

This will not only leave you with clean, clear, flawless skin but to get that glowing look your skin needs hydration otherwise you will get those dry areas and the makeup won't have a good base to give you that healthy glow.

Don't forget that I offer this FREE SKINCARE CONSULTATION service to anyone, which I also recommend the products to purchase straight from me, so saves you messing around and you can all get started quickly.

Message me for this service :)

(My skin from using these products - and my glowing skin technique)

REVIEW: New Dior Forever Foundation

The As you may or may not know the original Dior Forever foundation has been reformulised, along with new additions the the range including loose powder and primer base (this is perfect if you have dry skin but still want a flawless matte finish, as this product hydrates and makes foundation glide on smoother)

I have recently been doing the latest promotions with Dior Fragrances for Valentines/Mothers day which are all just round the corner.

I have previously used the original Dior Forever foundation, what drew me to this range was the claim of it being their highest coverage, when I did try the old one I didn't love it as much as I love the latest one.

I never thought it looked flawless and even on my skin but it did give a medium-high coverage as it said.

Since trying the new formula for the Forever Foundation I have got to say this is 10x better, it feels a lot more smoother to apply which gives a more flawless and even finish as well as the amazingly high coverage which makes skin look so clear.

(Top tip: great applied with a dence round foundation brush)

REVIEW: Diorshow Maximizer Mascara

Ever struggle with getting those long lashes no matter what you do or try.

Well trust me on this one... Get yourself Dior's Diorshow Maximizer backstage mascara.

This is not a normal mascara, it is a serum (primer) based mascara.

The first base mascara that Dior have ever produced and it doesn't fail to disappoint. I promise you this mascara will give your lashes twice the volume!

This product was designed for Dior backstage fashion shows being used by the top makeup artists, to use this product you should apply to clean lashes before your usual mascara.

My Daily Skincare Routine

'Feauture Friday' is back already and this week will be the follow up from last weeks post '2016 Beauty Resolutions' on my daily skincare routine.

If you missed last weeks (important) post on making a difference for the new year you can read it HERE. Its not too late to make these changes, every day is a different day no matter if it was January 1st, get this week out the way with drinking and eating and start Monday, theres nothing stopping you and I hope I have influenced a lot of people on making this change. Its for the best, and doing this will prove it.

Lasts weeks post was based on things you can change in 2016 for your beauty routine and a lot of it was down to looking after your skin so I said I was going to write a separate post explaining my full skincare routine from products to applications and here it is...

I couldn't imagine waking up in the morning at not washing my face at the minimum.

It may seem like a chore to change and do all this every morning and night but honestly you will just get used to it, by just getting into this routine it can be done within 5-10 minutes, now whats that? In that time you can spend waiting for a kettle to boil? Point proven :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Just want to say a massive thank you for the support I have had in the past year. I have put my all into 'Makeupbysophiedowning' last year and i am more than proud and happy to say i have accomplished a lot by my little self.

I started of in the fashion/beauty photographic makeup industry from my passion for creative, statement makeup as I love doing big crazy shoots where i can incorporate lots of ideas, objects and accessories into my art work. (You can see my fashion portfolio on my website HERE)
I don't know what changed but something brought me into the bridal makeup industry and I will never turn back.
Don't get me wrong i will of course carry on doing odd crazy shoots to bring out my creative side but bridal makeup has made me content with my work, maybe because everything is so pretty and romantic, girly and just not stressful as its always about happy times surrounded round happy people.
Not only weddings but making you ladies look fabulous for any occasion from a girls night out to prom makeup is such an amazing job, making you happy and listening to everything you would like is a pleasure for me to make you feel and look your best.
My business is growing in the makeup industry and I am booking up fast so i would like to say a massive thank you and a cheers to the future!

Congratulations to my brides of 2015 and everyone that has got engaged over the festive period. Let me tell you, you have lots of exciting plans to come.
All my brides of 2015 have looked beautiful on their big days and I want to wish them all the best for the future and lots of happy times ahead.
From working with these lovely couples I have also discovered lots of stunning places in and around Derby that I pretty much didn't know existed and gosh did I expect less from my hometown haha.
All the work that gets put into someones special day takes the couple lots of time and thought which is pretty amazing, so well done :* and of course all the businesses that have worked on these weddings with them.

So much has happened and changed for me in the last year and I could be here all day, but I'm not going to put you to sleep going through the 12 months but this post is pretty much to say thank you and to wish you all the best in 2016.
My plans for 2016 are major and want you to keep your eyes peeled on what i have planned next.
Starting with my monthly newsletter tat gets sent out tonight. This contains everything in my makeup world from recent work, special offers for subscribers only, fun competitions for you all to win prizes and lots more.
LEAVE YOUR EMAIL HERE IF  YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE MAKEUP MAILING LIST.
Makeup Newsletter

A few of my upcoming plans are to work within a bridal shop with my own section where i will be holding Event Nights, Masterclasses and holding bridal trials if needed.
I am so excited and hope that all my plans are here to benefit you.
Feedback and any ideas are more than welcome to be messaged to me, I want to be here for all of your needs.

For any bookings or queries please contact me on:
makeupbysophiedowning@yahoo.co.uk

www.makeupbysophiedowning.co.uk
www.facebook.com/makeupbysophiedowning
Twitter - @makeupbysophied
Instagram - @makeupbysophiedowning

Sophie xx

Top 5 December Beauty Products

Can we believe that we are less than a week away from 2016, as usual the year has flown by. I always think there is not enough hours in the day never mind how quick these last few days have been.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with loved ones, eating and drinking yourselves to sleep every night, but get ready for the rave of fitness in January, you have 3 days to consume all of your Christmas chocolates haha.

For my last blogpost of 2015 I decided show you my top 5 beauty products of December.

I have either used the products everyday or just realised my love for them and need them as a staple in my makeup kit.

1st I have SMASHBOX CONTOUR STICKS

These come in a pack of 3 containing a highlight, bronze and contour, they are pretty much self explanatory. Starting of with contouring the hollow of your cheeks, adding the bronze just above which helps blend them both in an ombré effect and the highlight just above to add the light onto the face. These steps can be applied anywhere on the face that you are choosing to contour.

In this pack also has a sharpener which is the correct size for the pencils and a mini step by step booklet of how to use.

I also use mine with the beauty blender and this helps blend each colour well together but your fingers will work just as well as they are very creamy and easy to blend.

To view my blogpost on Contouring click HERE 

2 - BOBBI BROWN SPARKLE EYE SHADOW (in Sunlight) 

This eyeshadow has been my go to Christmas products. Every Christmas my glitter obsession comes out and I just want it on everything! 

This product is easy to encorporate with any look at it is a transparent glitter so it does back on with pigment it layers a shade of glitter, so it can be used over any colour eyeshadow or on its own of course.

Best applied with fingers in a tapping mention as it packs on the glitter in a more intense light.

3 - NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER (in Vanilla) 

I have previously blogged about the product HERE more in depth but I had to put this in my top 5 as I have used this every day since I brought it.

I never used to really use under eye concealers on a daily basis but form my Christmas 3am shifts I was starting to detect my dark circles from lack of sleep and this was just a miracle product for me. The creaminess blended easily under the eyes without creasing as it set to a more powdered finish although it kept the radiant glow and just beautifully evened out my skin tone and covered the darkness.

4 - KIKO UNLIMITED STYLO (in MOCHA 13)

KIKO opened in Derby in Novemeber and from previously purchasing eyeshadows in Marbella and loving the pigments I decided to get a basketful and this was one of my favourites.

It goes on the lips so creamy and silky but dries to a matte effect lipstick and does not budge! This just lasts all day, and the best thing is, it doesn't get that dry tacky feeling that some matte lipsticks can. I was honestly amazed of how this worked and just couldn't get my head around it.

I soon got over it and just wore this every day with it being such a perfect winter shade, slightly purple undertone to this shade also.

Oh and you can not go wrong with the price, just less than £5!!! I need more.

Last but not least number 5 - LOREAL TRUE MATCH FOUNDATION 

This is my staple foundation in my personal makeup bag for the past month! 

I have never really found my favourite premium brand foundation, I actually prefer high street ones believe it or not! 

I don't know what made me buy this £9.99 foundation but I'm so glad I did.

I always go for a medium to full coverage foundation and this was perfect as it also evened out my skin tone and gives a gorgeous healthy glow as this foundation is made to adapt to your skin type, so at first when I applied this it did feel like it would be a powdery matte finish but I was wrong, this settled to a luminous glow which blended easily and lasts all day.

Thes 5 products are what I would highly recommend as I always give my honest opinion and hope you love them as much as I do if I have tempted you to buy any of these.

So with this being my last blog post of 2015 I hope you have a lovely new year and wish you all the best for 2016.

Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming business ventures included makeup masterclasses and one to one lessons.

I will also be emailing out the first of my Monthly Makeup Newsletters including, offers, images and makeup updates and lots more, so if you want to join my mailing list please leave your email below or visit my website and fill in the mail box with your email.

Www.makeupbysophiedowning.co.uk

JANUARY OFFER - 10% of makeup application bookings for the whole month 

Don't miss out ladies

Contact me on 

Makeupbysophiedowning@yahoo.co.uk

Facebook.com/Makeupbysophiedowning 

Love Sophie x

Contouring Masterclass

One of the biggest makeup trends for year!

Contouring - First thing that comes to most peoples mind is Kim Kardashian, I guess we can call her the queen on contouring as she did make it come alive. As you can see this changed the face completely also!

Her makeup artist Mario Must be the most wanted man on earth for the top contouring applications on you ladies now days.

If you came to the Wedding Event Night hosted by myself and Helena from 'The Wedding Boutique' in Ilkeston on Tuesday Night you ladies would have been the lucky ones to learn contouring step-by-step in my masterclass.

I had the most fun and amazing night with you all and loved how interested you all were in learning this big trend, also for my lovely models that were willing to give it a try themselves.

So as i said i would put a blog post up so that you have it all in one place if you are wanting to keep practicing nailing the look or if your notes weren't clear enough.

(Action shots from the Wedding Event Night - Taken by Paul @
www.pauleyreimages.co.uk)

Contouring is easily mastered in 3 simple steps. So no this won't take years to learn, everyone can do it when they are taught correctly. I just don't want you going round with brown lines all over your face so my key word... BLEND

What you need -

- Your everyday foundation 

(Apply your base and foundation before we start contouring)

- Your contour product (cream or powder whatever your preference)

So selecting your contour colour always go a shade darker than your foundation for a  natural look or 2 shades darker if you are wanting it more prominent.

- Brush, Fingers or Beauty Blender Sponge 

For CREAM Contour - i recommend you fingers or beauty blender as these will be the most easiest way to blend but if you prefer a brush make sure you use synthetic brush hairs (this will prevent ruining fibre brush hairs and also successfully smoothly contour)

For POWDER Contour - I recommend using either a angled brush or a tapered blush brush (these types will let you be more direct with the product)

Map Your Face

Remember, Contouring is all about hiding the features to make them smaller, basically bringing everything in.

Best start is to identify your face shape...

I have attached a photo of images to identify. In the masterclass i do help identify your face shape but i will do this in another post.

Today i am explaining the typical places everyone can contour.

To contour your cheeks to give a more slimmer look start with applying your product to the hallow of the cheeks - place your finger under your cheekbone as you will feel where the contour should be placed, another way to identify is to look from the top of your ears down to the corner of your mouth.

OR suck in your cheeks - thats easy!

To contour your nose place the contour product in 2 lines down the sides of your nose.

To contour your forehead place the product around the hairline.

To contour your chin and jawline place the product on the bone.

(Photo of how easy lining the face prior to blending is)

BLEND

The most important part... Blending will make the contouring look very natural and give you the desired face shape.

Basically merge the contouring into your foundation and leave it with the stunning shadow, in most cases blend in circular motions downwards on the face.

Beauty Blender - Dampen the sponge slightly and stipple onto the product, tightening your grip and squeezing the sponge to blend perfectly on different areas.

Brushes - Go back and forth along the contouring until it starts to soften on the line you have done then go back in circular motions and blend down.

SET

To finish the contouring process dust over your face with ideally a translucent powder to set the contouring (especially cream) then your ready to go!

Like I said 3 easy steps and you've nailed it, now its all about practice to make perfect!

Good luck, i can't wait to see all your perfectly contoured faces around.

If you missed the event on tuesday, don't worry. I will be holding more events in the future and i also take Personal Make-up Lessons that you can book me in for whenever you like.

Just contact me on 

makeupbysophiedowning@yahoo.co.uk

or visit my website at 

www.makeupbysophiedowning.co.uk

Starting in 2016 I will be holding group masterclasses at Bride Lounge in Derby so keep an eye out!

Thankyou xx

REVIEW: NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

My Instagram feed was full of people receiving this palette for christmas as a gift. I couldn't wait that long so I treated myself at work as soon as it hit the shelves. Thats my problem with makeup products...

It was perfect really because I've been meaning to buy more blushes for my kit as I always find people stick to the same shade of pink and I wanted a wider variety for my clients to have the option or experiment with a change.

This palette contains blushes that are sold individually at Nars but put into one and of course a hell of a lot cheaper!

- Miss Liberty (Highlighter)

A shimmery peach shade is a perfect highlighter for your cheekbones and brow bone, it contains white sparkle which gives out that illuminating glow for a finishing touch to your makeup looks.

- Sex Fantasy (Blush)

Limited Edition Soft Lavender Pink Shade which warms to all skin tones but does give out that cold purple undertone which i was worried about, it has a matte finish but a soft smooth application and feel on the skin.

- Deep Throat (Blush)

One of the very popular blushes from Nars. A warm coral peach with flecks of gold and pink shimmer, very good pigment and can be build able on the skin from the smooth silky texture. Perfect for day and night!

- Final Cut (Blush)

Limited Edition bold peachy coral with warm orange undertones that gives out a flawless glow (especially in the summer on bronzed skin) Again another great pigmented blush that is build able, one of the colours to experiment with!

- Laguna (Bronzer)

The famous bronzer that Nars is known for! Ive been meaning to bag this bronzer but now I not only save money, I get it combined in this beautiful Limited Edition collectable palette.

From Left to Right - Miss Liberty, Sex Fantasy, Deep Throat, Final Cut and Laguna
(Daylight Shot)

(With Flash)

The Virtual Domination palette comes in a gorgeous white case with patterned overlay. The thick casing means its perfect for travelling so is less likely to break up into crumbs (fingers crossed) Its very bulky but doesn't look cheap, also includes a mirror inside. I also love that its different packaging to the average black cased Nars products as the White gives it that special edition theme.

Every year Nars brings out Limited items and I will most definitely be getting my hands on the next lot after this being as good as I expected.

Have you got this palette? If so what did you think to it?

Sophie xxx