my favourites

I thought I might let you in on a few of my favourite products to enter my makeup kit. Some of these have been sitting in here since the beginning, being replenished each time I run out. And some are brand new finds that I have begun a new love affair with, maybe they will last the test of time, maybe they won't, but for now- these are my stand out's.

Bobbi Brown Skin Mineral Foundation + Face Brush:

I adore this foundation, and use it on myself almost daily. It is perfect if you want a nice buildable sheer coverage, that is soft to the touch. I pair this with my concealer and use the kabuki brush for application, and I am ready to go. Bride's love it when they are after a very natural look, without appearing cakey or too 'made up'. 

Tarte Glamazon Lipstick in "Wild":

What an amazing punch of colour! This long wearing lipstick stays put for hours (Tarte claims over 12hrs, but I would say by then it is more a stain that a lipstick). It is creamy and hydrating which is a rare find in a longwear lipstick, and the colour is the perfect mid shade of red, suiting most skin tones. This one will be with me for years to come.

Nars Blush in "Luster":

My absolute favourite blush. I use this so regularly that I have hit pan on more palettes than I can recall. The photo does not show it too well, but it has the perfect shimmer for a blush, incorporating a small amount of gold and pink, with a base of bronze. It really is a go to for most skin tones. I find that I use this as a bronzer on very fair skinned brides, and as a blush on middle hued skin types, it is very natural and creates a perfect flush of colour. Nars blushes glide on with ease, and are long wearing.

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in "More":

A gorgeous nude/terracotta shade perfect for the natural bride, this is definitely a must have in my kit. It is a hybrid between a gloss and a lipstick although with this shade I would say it tends to stray more into balm/lipstick territory as it is not high sheen. These pencils are very hydrating, and super easy to apply, I often recommend my clients buy them themselves for their wedding day for touch up's- the only down side I can think of is that they do tend to run out quicker than a lipstick. 

Bits and Pieces

Life has been overflowing with busyness and whilst I have had every intention of coming to this space, I have had to focus on the important things and not the creative things for a while. 
We have been taking almost daily walks to the beach and enjoying the last of this moody weather before summer hits. We usually stroll along the shoreline and watch the sun go down whilst our dog Valentine goes mad trying to catch the seagulls. 

I have been unpacking a few boxes today and picking through bits and pieces forgotten. I found this photograph of my mother, aged 22 and pregnant with my sister Emily. Isn't she beautiful. My father is next to her, he still stands with his hands behind his back for photo's.

working for myself

Around 3 years ago I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business.

It was not without hesitation, I questioned whether I had the skills necessary to run my own show, to be organised enough to get out of bed each day and source my own work, but after much internal debate I ventured into the world of self employment. 

James encouraged me when I had moments of doubt. I was given a husband with an incredibly creative mind, he knows how to take a small idea and turn it into a well oiled plan. James and I spent many a nights talking over business proposals and sketches and deciding what path would be best for me to take. 

Slowly, as our words became actions- business began to roll in and my venture into makeup artistry full time started to support itself. James was still studying at the time and this allowed us both a little more flexibility with our time and finances. 

Over the next few months being self employed was allowing me the freedom and flexibility I really needed within my relationships, and my personal life. 

Working for myself, for James- and for our future family has opened so many doors. James and I talk openly about potential joint business ventures that we may take on together. We have realised that working from home will allow us more time with the people who are most important in our lives. 

Whilst we are aware that this lifestyle is what most would call slightly 'unrealistic' it is something we have chosen to pursue for the foreseeable future, and I wholeheartedly believe in our success. James lives with such determination and strength, I am so encouraged by his drive to succeed.

For now, I continue with my makeup artistry business, and I am encouraged that day by day we are living out the creative self supported life we intended for ourselves. 

the start of something

We packed our bags and put all our faith into moving to a small seaside town. 

I am re-starting my business on the south coast of Western Australia and James has begun a new job in advertising. We knew nobody down here and nobody knew us, but we are getting there, meeting people, making those connections and friendships that may just blossom into something that could last beyond that first initial meet and greet. 

The people in this seaside town are more relaxed, they breathe easier. Maybe it's because they have less to focus on? Maybe it's because the beach is a maximum walk of 10 minutes from anywhere. 

All I know is that the people here seem to carry less weight on their shoulders. That was part of our reason for deciding to move, we wanted a lifestyle that offered us a slower pace, a more relaxed style of living. Mostly we wanted to appreciate and enjoy the smaller things.

So here we are, the beginning of something new.