My New Make Up Academy!

Just letting you in on a little insider news....!
I am soon to be opening my own Make Up Academy in Manchester along with my best friend Jenny Frost, aimed to teach those who want to become professional make up artists. We will also be offering training to those who simply want to learn to do their own make up better.

This is such an exciting project for me and I really cannot wait until we open the doors in December!
Myself and Jenny are both from Manchester and after the success we have both achieved we want to try and give others a chance to have the amazing opportunities that we had.
I won't say too much now but check out the website to find out more and I am sure you'll be reading about it soon!

www.cassielomasmakeupacademy.co.uk

Shine Control

There is nothing worse than having to constantly touch up your make up to tone down those annoying oily areas.

Adding powder constantly can give you a built up cakey finish to your make up and feel mask like on your skin. Instead try to use a mattifying product underneath your foundation. This only needs to be used in those area where you feel you gain excess shine. Throughout the day control excessive oils with blotting papers instead of adding powder everywhere. Choosing a fine loose powder can also be better then should you need to reapply in areas it will go on in a thin layer and you can target the area you need it with a small brush such as around the nostrils and over the top of the nose going into the forehead.

My choice of products are Mac matte which you put over your skin before make up or even if you aren't wearing any. It leaves a shine free finish and has a soft velvety texture.
Blot off shine with these powder free papers from Mac

Smoky eyes in 3 quick steps!

To create a smoky eye in the easiest possible way, follow the steps below.

1. Dip your finger into a pot of loose powder shadow and pat into the lower lid, blending up to the socket with small strokes and semi-circular movements

2. Line the lower lash line with a soft smudgy kohl pencil to create a heavy smoke. Line into the inner rim both on the bottom and top of the eye and use a cotton bud or your finger to run under the eye and blend your kohl line. The more you blend the smudgier the look

3. Coat your lashes with a volumising mascara both top and bottom. Apply a first coat and leave to dry before applying a second top up

For this look I have selected a few of my favourite products from the high street.....

Mac pigments come in a great range of colours all of which can go to create a smoky eye, Don't be fooled by thinking smoky means black everywhere, this is often the mistake people make. You can use any colour as the smoke is defined with the kohl pencil... that should of course be black.

It is important to have a long lasting pencil as if this wears off then you lose your impact eyes...
I love Bourjois 16hr kohl and contour. It lasts all night and is delicate in texture and ingredients, two very important factors when working with the eyes. It also has a built in sharpener which is brilliant if like me you have a tendancy to lose yours!

If you havn't tried this Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care yet then do!
It adds super volume to your lashes and contains cotton oil and almond oil to nourish the lashes and help protect from pollutants. It is perfect for sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers.

At Home Pampering Facial

I spent last night working through, shooting the new video for Marina and the Diamonds. Needless to say after a long, outdoor, all night shoot I am feeling a little bedraggled and like my skin needs a pick me up.
This brings me onto my little tricks for a quick skin revival!
If you are like me and don't get chance to go to the salon and treat yourself to a facial, set up your own little  spa and do it at home.

Start by lighting a nice scented candle to relax you and put on your favourite album to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Remove any old make up with a cleansing wipe.

Take your cleanser and place a large amount in the palms of your hand rubbing them together to ensure your hands are fully covered.

Use the palms of your hand and lay them one at a time flat on your neck and move with a little pressure upwards and to the jaw running the lower palm around the jawline from one side to another. Repeat this  several times to work the cleanser into your skin and encourage micro circulation.
Use your fingertips and starting at the chin massage in small circular motions from the centre working outwards. Travel slowly up the face paying particular attention to the t-zone area.
Close your eyes and lay your fingers flat over your lids, with a light pressure massage out, down and under creating a circular massaging motion. Make sure your hands are still covered in cleanser to avoid pulling the skin.
Use a cotton bud dipped in cleanser to roll over your lashes in a downward motion to remove any old mascara or make up.
Use warm water to dampen cotton pads and remove any cleanser starting with the neck and working upwards and outwards.

Lay a hot damp flannel over your face and spend a minute just lying and relaxing.

Apply a hydrating mask in a thick layer all over the skin, avoiding the eye area and the hair line. Leave to work for the instructed time. Lay a warm damp cotton pad over your eyes and relax.

Use warm damp cotton pads to remove your mask in small upwards and outwards wipes.

Dip your finger in some lip balm and then into some sugar. Use small circular motions to smooth over the lips removing any chapped skin from the lips and leaving a silky smooth pout. Wipe away any left over sugar with a cotton pad.

Finish with a generous layer of a super creamy moisturiser.


See my choice of products below.......

The Classic Red Lip

I am loving the really natural make up look at the moment but when it needs a bit of ooomph to go from day to night you cannot go wrong with a chic red lip.

If you are unsure what red to wear then I'll make it simple for you....
1. Every skintone can carry a classic red
2. Make sure you use a moisturising texture as it is more wearable than matte.
3. Blot lips for a more subtle finish

My top 2 red lipsticks for you are....

Chanel Rouge Coco..... everyone needs a little Chanel in their life and this is my handbag's new best friend.
It has a luxurious finish to the packaging and feels amazing on your lips. I also love the heritage behind it, being first developed in 1954 by Mademoiselle herself, it has been revamped over the years with new technologies to the high standard of Make Up Artist Peter Phillips.
This is highly recommended!
Colour - Gabrielle

http://makeup.chanel.com/rougecoco/


Bourjois never get it wrong when it comes to colour and the new Sweet Kiss Les Rouges range has my vote!
There is a red to suit everyone.....
The colour is intense, yet the texture is light and it gives 8hr's of moisturisation.
I love the cutesy packaging and more than that I love the price tag!
£7.99 available from September in Boots, Superdrug and asos.com
Colour - Rouge Fashion 76

Make Up Brushes!

A bad workman always blames his tools!
I am sure a lot of people don't realise this but a set of good brushes really will improve the application of your make up.... that is why us 'professionals' are so good.... we only use the best.

I am about to let you into a little insider secret..... Shu Uemura Brushes!

Now these little gems are what you call a luxury, they are quite simply the best brushes around. You can always tell a nice brush when you touch your skin with it and it is baby soft. The effectiveness of these brushes are reflected in the price so don't expect to go out and buy a full set in one go...... why not start off by putting them on your birthday and Christmas lists and treating yourself to one every time you fancy a shopping spree. Great brushes are an investment and will last forever.

Available from She Uemura shops, Space NK, Harvey Nichols, Liberty and online

http://www.shuuemura.com/product/accessories.html

A tip for cleaning your brushes is to dip them into warm soapy water. Fairy liquid will help dissolve any grease and remove stubborn stains. Try not to over clean your brushes with a brush cleaner as too much  can dry them out. An occasional dip in water with conditioner will help keep them super soft... but make sure you rinse them out! Leave to dry naturally upright in a glass or hanging over the edge of a flat surface so you don't change the shape of the end of the brush.

Lady Gaga - Vanity Fair cover

I am loving Lady Gaga's new shoot in Vanity Fair!
There is no lack of originality when it comes to Gaga, she truly is an inspiration.... this girl just ooozes talent. She puts so much creative input into her shoots, I don't know where all her ideas come from!
I am looking forward to her next video... where will she go to next?

Look closely at her nail shape...... love, love, love!

Rose Exclusif Lipgloss by Bourjois

If like me you can never make a decision on what colour you fancy wearing, why not leave it to fate.
This new gloss goes on clear and takes seconds to turn into your own personal shade of pink!

How does it work?
It reacts with the ph balance of your skin giving a unique colour to each person.

Not only does it give me a gorgeous bitten lip look but it is super shiny and feels really moisturising on my lips. I love wearing this with nothing else but mascara.

This costs £6.99 and is available now!

HD Brows

I have always had a bit of an issue with my eyebrows. They are super fair and very sparse so everyday I spend time drawing them in, then combing them through to make them look natural... a lengthy task for even me as a make up artist! I rarely wear much make up on a daily basis so for me this is simply a chore.
When I heard about these HD Brows I was immediately intrigued, I had to have them!

The process consists of tinting your brows, staining the skin, waxing around the edges and threading away any strays. I was a bit worried while lay on the bed, wondering what I was going to look like but my Therapist herself had amazing brows so I knew I was in safe hands. The treatment took around 10 minutes and I was advised that 6 sessions would have my brows in tip top shape.

The result is what I can only describe as AMAZING!
For the first time, I woke up today, looked in the mirror and felt like a  normal person. I was almost skipping down the road on my way to a meeting completely make up free and feeling confident.
The concept has been designed by Nilam Patel, a leading permanent make up artist. I myself would be a little scared to go for the semi permanent brows straight away so this is a great way to see how you could look if you ever wanted to take the plunge.

If you think lash extensions are good, this has to be your next step.

www.nilam-patel.com

Make the most of your foundation

The summer months we get away without having to wear foundation as much. You've been on holiday, have a nice base tan and the humid weather steers you away from wanting to be made up.
Then comes Autumn.... the tan is starting to fade, the sun isn't shining and you feel you need a little coverage if only for an evening out.

Choose a foundation that is a good all rounder. A radiant finish is always good for giving a healthy complexion and a good coverage will be great when you need that extra help.
In the meantime when you want a light finish you can use either one of these tips ......

Mix a little foundation with your moisturiser to create a lighter coverage
or
Apply your foundation to the centre of your face, over the cheeks and nose and use a damp brush to blend out to the edges of your face.

Lasting Lift for Lashes!

All us girls want our lashes pointing upwards in a perfect fan shape but unfortunately we aren't all blessed with that naturally.

My top tip for curling your lashes and making them last longer is one I learnt from one of my idols, Twiggy!

Slightly heat your eyelash curlers for 20 seconds under your hairdryer, allowing them to become warm. Touch the back of your hand with them to check they are not too hot and won't burn you!
Clamp your lashes in them, leaving them in place for as long as you can...... 30secs should be ok...... enough time for them to cool. The heat will act as a blow dry for your lashes and give them extra staying power.
Add a coat of mascara, leave to dry and them give one more quick curl. The mascara will act as a fixant to really hold the lashes upright.

Avoid any fads and go for a good old fashioned pair of curlers!
My Favourite are Shu Uemura below

If you like my blog and want to keep up to date with all my tips and tricks, click on the followers link on the right hand side of my page.

My Khaki Obsession

I am currently obsessed with the khaki colour for eyes in my anticipation of Autumn/Winter as you will notice by all the khaki products I am going to bombard you with.
The next in my sights is Smashbox Liquid liner and lash overlay in Teal.
Okay, so it's not exactly khaki but teamed with a nude contour and a luscious lash I am definitely feeling it as a glam version of this trend for the new season. It also comes in gold which is a fabulous alternative to the green.
The liner brush is fuller to create a heavier line and by patting it into the lid you can get a grungier finish.
The mascara wand grooves in the applicator allow you to sweep a glisten of colour over the tips of your lashes too.

http://www.smashbox.com/MASQUERADE-LIQUID-LINER-AND-LASH-OVERLAY

Lay it on the line!

So for so long I refused to use lip liner and now they are back in full swing I think I need to give my advice on how to do it right!
It can be a scary thought if you are not a natural at it so here are a few tips to ease you in.

1. Choose a shade that is the same colour as your lippy. A different tone of liner and lipstick are strictly for high fashion and are not to be worn in Waitrose

2. Rest your elbow on a table or on your knee to get a steady sweep in your wrist action. You liner should be on your lip line itself or very slightly over. You can change your lip shape subtly but must never go completely outside the lipline

3. Start by lightly feathering tiny dots/dashes in the centre of the cupids bow, working up and out. Do the v shape first

4. Continue by lining from the highest point of the lip line in one swift movement down to the corners of the mouth. A slight stretch of your lips over your teeth will help keep the skin taught foe a sleeker finish

5. Start on the lower lip at the outer corner and work into the middle, again with taught lips. Move to the opposite corner and draw again into the middle until the two lines meet

6. Now you have your basic line you can go over any areas that may need strengthening with small, quick strokes

7. Run your finger lightly around the edge of your lip line to blend.

8. Blot with a tissue

9. Re-line

10. Add lippy

Miracle Moisturiser

As my weekend draws to an end so does my favorite moisturizing cream......
Now the reason I feel I need to tell you all about this is because I can't just nip down to boots or selfridges to stock up.... Oh no..... I need to go to Paris!!!!!
I was introduced to this product by Lady Gaga when we first worked together and I have been inseparable from the wonder cream since.
Embryolise is available in any pharmacy in France and is really cheap but has the benefits of a leading luxury brand cream. The consistency is lightweight, it suits sensitive skin, it holds make up extremely well and leaves your complexion flawless. Models all over the world go crazy for this cream and I don't blame them. In the uk you can buy it from Screenface but it will set you back sufficiently more than it should.

So next time you visit France, pick some up for yourself (and me please.....!)
Embryolise Lait Creme / Concentrated 24 hr Miracle Cream

Get Coleen's fresh summer glow!

I always saw pictures of Coleen and thought I'd love to do her make up. I love that she keeps it so fresh and yet still polished.
This look I created for the new seasons Littlewoods range so if you want to recreate it, here's how.....

Use a base with a dewy glow, applying a little over the cheeks and nose and feathering it outwards with a brush. This will give you coverage where you need it without overloading the skin.

Define brows firstly combing through a wax then by filling in any sparse areas with a powder shadow on a stiff angled brush.

A light wash of pearly colour over the lower lid will pick up the light and then use a mid tone brown to contour your eye in the crease, using back and forth sweeps in a half moon shape with a fluffy blending brush. Use small amounts of colour to avoid overload, you can always top up but it's hard to tone down.
Finish with a light coat of lengthening mascara, separating lashes and opening the eye.

Use a black kohl liner to gently smudge definition into the roots of your lashes. This will give the illusion of longer lashes and also make your eye colour stand out. Don't apply the kohl from the pencil, instead use a stiff, fine angled brush dipped into the kohl to again keep application minimal.

Give your cheeks a light wash of colour making sure you pick a blush with a sheen. Smile into the mirror and apply in a circular swirl the colour onto the apples of your cheeks. To blend the colour lightly extend your brushstrokes to go towards  the centre of the ear (don't add extra colour here, simply blend out what is already there).

Finish with a sheen for your lips. This can be anything from a balm to an iridescent gloss.

When you've finished Use a highlighter to brush over your cheekbones, brow bones and cupids bow. This will really pick up the light where you want it to.

I love these products for this look......

http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/_us/_en/makeup/face/foundation-primer/luminous-silk-foundation

http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Eyeshadow-89117

http://www.bourjois.co.uk/catalog/make_up/eyes/mascara/elastic_mascara

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT156&PRODUCT_ID=329

http://www.bourjois.co.uk/catalog/make_up/complexion/enhancer/illuminating_touch

http://www.thefragranceshop.co.uk/p2102/coleen-lipstick-iced-mocha.html

Check out Coleen's advice on the Littlewoods site........

http://www.littlewoods.com/web/en/coleen.page

Genius new nail product!

Today I have come across what can only be described as an amazing idea!
A mattifying top coat for your nails........ Literally coat over your colour with this wonderliquid and go from shine to shine free in seconds. I am loving any lazy way to change your look and this one is definately working for me! It's glam to grunge in one top coat...... my new shoot must have!!!!

nailgirls treat(s)ments  in matte finish
http://www.nailgirls.co.uk/

Zara Martin

After what was a fab shoot yesterday for Glossy mag, I am absolutely loving Zara Martin. The super sexy presenter is definitely one to watch. Not only is she gorgeous.... stylish..... talented.... but also a really nice down to earth girl. Watch out for the shoot coming soon!
http://zaramartin.blogspot.com/
http://glossy-mag.com/

Perfectly bronzed pins!

I am always amazed when people are unsure what false tan to use. Don't people find a good one then stick to it? Well hopefully now you can. I have to admit that I was a late starter, I have always hated false tan..... it's fussy, smells funny and needs reapplying constantly.... but I have no other choice but to be pale and this is almost illegal being a northerner! So I started my search for a tan that I can cope with. Obviously streaking is the biggest problem, even for me who does it all the time on shoots, so i needed one that you could see as it went on.
So I found the wondrous St Tropez mousse. You apply it with a foam mitt so you don't get stained hands.... the colour shows immediately so you can see exactly where you've applied it and it gets darker throughout the day. The only thing is you need to shower it off before you get in bed or you'll have orange streaky sheets!
It lasts for about a week and looks like a natural holiday glow, give it a whirl.....

http://www.st-tropez.com/deep-bronze-collection

My healthy new lifestyle

Recently I have had lots of comments on how healthy I look... thanks everyone.... I would like to share my secrets as a thanks for noticing.

It began a month ago with a well needed break to a very relaxing and educating detox spa in Alicante, Spain. I have been super busy this year and needed a little 'me time' to gather my thoughts, reply to emails and actually take notice of what I was feeding myself. It was the closest place to heaven I have ever been and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The strict medical approach made it essential to actually stick to the detox diet whilst the pampering massages took my mind of feeling like because I was on holiday I should be eating and drinking like it was going out of fashion. The infinity pool was perfect for my daily swims in the scorching sun broken up with topping up my tan. Now the kind of luxury that prepares all your food and drink and literally brings it to you without a word obviously comes at a price but for the 5* price tag, I definately got 5* treatment.
The results were that I lost 6lb's in 4 days and my skin was the clearest it has been in ages. Not only did I feel a million times better but my friends could see a visual difference too. If you can afford a pampering break then go here, literally all you can do is chill out!

http://www.shawellnessclinic.com/


Since coming back feeling amazing I wanted to continue with my battle to lose my baby bulge and I have to say I have found the easiest way to get me to my target weight. I have lost a further 10 lb's on what can only be described as the easiest diet I have ever done (and believe me I've done them all).
So... no matter where in the country I am working my food gets delivered to my door.... 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. The food tastes amazing, it's filling and to be honest I rarely manage to eat everything that I should eat. It is so hard on shoots trying to have willpower so with this I take my meals along and know I cannot be in charge of deciding what I should eat. It is working a treat and I don't have to cook or shop, I'm loving it.

http://www.soulmatelifestyle.com/food/

Summer is no more......!

I am looking out of the window, slightly depressed at the sight of the rain and wondering 'have we really had our lot?'! I am having to admit that summer is nearly over before it has began and so what on earth can make me feel slightly better about it I ask myself?
Step forward Autumn/Winter Make up trends - I can't wait to start wearing them!
There are so many new products waiting to hit the shelves and I am lucky enough to have had a sneak preview at some of them.
I am loving the new khaki colours that are coming in for eyes and nails so much and not only that but they suit pretty much everyone so it makes my job easy! They give a hint of glam but keeping the grungy cool factor and are a good mix between day and night.
Check out Bourjois Smoky eye trio in 'Lady Vert de Gris' I am loving it and for those of you who are a bit rubbish at the old smoky eye thing there are instructions on the back!

My New Blog!

I am so excited to start my new blog.... I have so much to say that I need to get it out somewhere, somehow! I'll be talking about anything and everything to do with beauty, make up, health, fashion, celebrities, my work and my life. I really believe there are no strict rules on what is right or wrong, in or out, great or bad. It is down to the individual...... so...... everybody's opinion counts. Here is mine!