Chanel Boateng

Sunday 19 February 2012

Illamasqua Haul

I was sent these 6 products by Illamasqua as I credited them on my recent publication for Pride Magazine UK. My makeup kit is so full so was kind of hard to figure out what I really needed- so I kind of got duplicates of what I already had of another brand- after all its always good to try out different brands' versions.
So....

Sealing Gel
My first choice was sealing gel- which I do not have but I have been wanting a product like this- it is to enable powdered form substances i.e eyeshadow, blusher, cake liner to become liquidized so it can be used as an eyeliner instead for example. It comes in this tiny box as shown in the picture- and you get two small bottles. I am hoping one bottle would last forever as it does cost an arm and a leg to replace! I have tested it and it does the job perfectly- to be honest, a little goes a long way and I don't also think I would be using it regularly but its a definite item to have in your kit!

Sealing Gel- £10.50 (x2 6ml bottles)

Eyebrow Cake
I have been using the MAC Stud and Spiked pencil for eyebrow application for far too long so I thought to try out a cake this time- the close I have got to using a cake for eyebrow application is Benefits Brow zings wax and powder palette- however this is somewhat different. On the Illamasqua website- Makeup Artist and Creative Director Alex Box shows us in a tutorial on the best way to apply using an angled brush- first by using the product on its own for a guideline of the brow shape and then adding more drama by using the sealing gel and making it liquidized. I tried it out and its not bad! Will perhaps take some pics next time.

Eyebrow cake- in 'Gaze'- £14.50

Eyeliner Pencil

I have been using the MAC Stud and Spiked pencil for eyebrow application for far too long so I thought to try out a cake this time- the close I have got to using a cake for eyebrow application is Benefits Brow zings wax and powder palette- however this is somewhat different. On the Illamasqua website- Makeup Artist and Creative Director Alex Box shows us in a tutorial on the best way to apply using an angled brush- first by using the product on its own for a guideline of the brow shape and then adding more drama by using the sealing gel and making it liquidized. I tried it out and its not bad! Will perhaps take some pics next time.

Sophie kohl Pencil- £13.00

'Masquara'
This mascara is on point! Large wand that gives you that accentuated volume, lengthens, not too clumpy or dry, applies wonderfully- I am impressed Illamasqua!

Masquara in 'Raven'- £15.00

Two Blusher Brushes

As if I don't have enough brushes?! I always have to try different brushes and its also good to have a wide variety in your kit. I like these brushes thus far, I have not used them yet but the quality is great just by feeling them. I got two blusher brushes- 1 angled and 1 round... smallish/medium sized, perfect for contouring as well. The brushes are soft and I haven't experienced shedding so far, the handle is also a strong, firm handle.

Blusher brush 1 (round tipped)- £25.50, Blusher brush 2 (angled tipped)- £26.00

After using the all these products I promise to make an update in a little while. Thanks for reading!

WHITNEY HOUSTON (1963-2012)

Whitney Houston is dead.... I am really touched by this because I grew up listening to her. I am not a fan of secular music anymore, I listen to just Christian music- but Whitney was just one of those people that I look back at and memories of my father blasting out her most loved albums flood back to mind. She is a beautiful black woman, with an unforgettable smile- all I remember was those perfect white teeth and dazzling eyes- her figure and fashion style was so inspiring to women's fashion even of today, her makeup was so vibrant in the 80's and elegant up until recent years. She was not only a singer 'but a voice'- we would never have another Whitney- really if there was no Whitney where would the recent female vocalists of today get there inspiration? She bought something new and fresh- people would have never expected a black woman to be able to pull off.
I watched a touching interview this morning that not much people would acknowledge but it stood out to me- an interview with the last person to do her makeup last Thursday for the event she attended where she would do her last live performance. The most touching thing is- Whitney asked her makeup artist (Reginald Dowdley) .... are you saved? (for those who do not know what being saved is- it is to be saved by Jesus Christ).
The question is Whitney... were YOU saved? That moment you took your last breath, was between you and God- did you have the opportunity to repent? I pray you did, because clearly you acknowledged that Jesus is our saviour- in many of her interviews she never seemed to forget God out of it, she sang gospel- and if two days before she asks someone if they were saved- in her heart- she believed our Lord is true. I pray you are with our Lord Whitney.

Link to interview:

IMATS 2012- Haul

Makeup Forever

Makeup Forever's Camouflage palette is great for makeup artist who need a small compact in there kit. It is mainly used for colour correcting and concealing and I also think you can get away with using as highlight and contour substances. Price- £16.49 (IMATS price).

Makeup Forever: HD Primer

Love the consistency of this product- it also leaves a matte finish perfect for foundation base. It is application as it comes with a pump. £16.50 (IMATS price)

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman- I have had my eyes on this brush set for forever! I finally got them. This is the 'Core Collection' and consists of 4 brushes that come in a pouch. I adore the packaging as it comes in a plastic protective sleeve. The brushes itself are so soft- good quality handles and no shedding at the moment! I love them- thanks Pixiwoo *wink* £16.50 (IMATS price)

MUD- MAKEUP DESIGNORY

Finally got these foundation palettes. I planned to buy just one palette and left with two because of the great offer they had- two palettes cost £120 (IMATS price) and you get a free spatula and plate with sponges (as pictured below. The foundation is rich in consistency and has full coverage application and easily blendable.

Makeup- IMATS 2012

Shots of makeup....

Eyeshadows- Inglot, Lady Burd Cosmetics

Nail Polish- INGLOT

Lipstick and gloss- Makeup Forever

Pigments- Lady Burd Cosmetics

Add caption

Glitter and Pigment Eye Shadows- LA Splash

Brushes- Hakuhodu ,Crown Brushes and Makeup Forever

BRANDS- IMATS 2012, LONDON

MAC- MUD- ILLAMASQUA- MUD- SLEEK- NYX- INGLOT- MAKEUP FOREVER- IMAN and many many more brands exhibited at the show! The excitement is unexplainable- but I had great fun!!! The stands had exclusive offers on products and also exclusive and limited edition stock!

MAKEUP FOREVER- PARIS

Professional makeup brand that is really large in the states- I hope they get really popular here also. I love there HD foundation- I bought there HD Primer and also the camouflage palette

CROWN BRUSH- Bargained brushes with a every different kind of style brush you want.

MAC PRO

MAC- available to purchase at the events were all the exclusive products from the PRO collection.

Incredible makeup

IMAN COSMETICS

Targets women of ethnic skin complexions- I personally use Iman and I am in love with there full coverage foundations and powders. They were not selling at the show- just showcasing there latest and classic products.

Best for Black Skin

SLEEK

They were selling a full palette of all there powder blush shades, all powder foundation shades and highlights and contour kit all for £96- i missed a bargain unfortunately :(

HAKUHODO

The BEST quality makeup brushes in the world- no shedding, smooth bristles with quality brush handles

MAKEUP DESIGNORY

This brand is excellent for makeup artists as they do really good packages on kits. I purchased two HD foundation palettes for £120 which is usually £200.

LADY BURD Cosmetics

ART at the IMATS

Mind blown by the artistic makeup spotted at the IMATS- I managed to catch up and speak with some artists who were doing live makeup on the day- most of them were to busy to chat- but one artist said it took her 5 hours to do a full look! Prosthetic makeup particularly can even take up to weeks may be even months to get it so precise. These experts performed live at the show with their models showing all there innovative techniques and wowing the crowds! Everyone just had to stop and take some pics- including me of course!! Check it out....