Día de los Muertos

Yesterday was the Mexican day of the dead and I thought why not celebrate our lost ones through a new post.  Everyone has their own views and beliefs when it comes to death, and each individual chooses different ways to remember their lost ones.  Typically when someone passes the same songs get chosen to play each time at their funeral.  These songs may pick out an aspect of their life or it may have sentimental value.  I personally believe that it's good to have quite an upsetting service as a good way of releasing recent suppressed emotions.  Life should be celebrated no matter how long that person was with you, and Día de los Muertos always helps me to remember this.

Lady Gaga Fame Perfume Makeup Inspired Look

This post is inspired by the debut perfume from Lady Gaga.  The perfume entitled 'Fame' not only uses a unique formulation, but it has also become the second fastest selling perfume in the world, with Chanel still upholding it's title.
And of course being a huge fan of Gaga, it was almost a necesidity to create a makeup inspired look!  This look is by far the most literal and takes inspiration from the bottle, rather than the context and backstory of the perfume.

So take what you want away from this look.  It's a really quick look so feel free to recreate it and make it your own, and if you have any questions - feel free to ask!

Lady Gaga 'Fame' can be bought in most stores that sell perfume so thats anything from Macy's and Selfridges to Sephora and Superdrug!

Ultraviolet light Intoxicate my mind

Ultraviolet light Intoxicate my mind - McFly

This post explores the similarities and differences between an alter-ego and an avatar - makeup and computer generated graphics.  Both offer tools to a person, allowing them to change their identity yet the outcome is completely difrrent.  Whilst makeup allows a person to release their creativity and explore new outcomes in artistry, avatars hand everything to a person on a plate.  It has been around 3 weeks since my last post and my creativity has dispersed from me.  3 weeks ago is also when I decided to see for my myself, what the commotion is about Call of Duty.  This game has huge global following and although is certificated at a 18, many children from around 12 years old play the game.  Like many computer games, it is relatively repetitive, with missions and levels repeated constantly for an unlimited time.  So back to my point, the difference between an alter-ego and avatar, is that avatars can stop you from thinking for yourself.  And although I say this, this look resembles camouflage and the other image has an infrared look.  If Call of Duty has inspired this look, it wasn't intentional and if so, maybe this game has effected me more than I realize.

Throughout your life, you may come across a creative or writers block.  Sometimes it is not yourself creating this block, sometimes it can be a game, a lifestyle or person, and whatever form this block may be, it is important to recognize it, and extinguish it from your life.

Let's set the world on fire we can burn brighter than the sun

Let's set the world on fire we can burn brighter than the sun - Fun

Each year i like to re-visit using paint instead of makeup to create a look.  The logic behind this look relates to the lyrics taken from We Are Young by Fun:
Tonight we are young so let's set the world on fire we can burn brighter than the sun
    
There are a few ways this lyric could be interpreted and the way I see it, is much like when people refer to younger generations shaping and leading the future.  Each generation have their own way of thinking, and although they may not share the same views, the majority share common similarities in their actual thinking.  In a way, it's similar to the saying you can't teach a dog new tricks.  I never really understood why this might be true until this week.
If you gave a laptop to an older man or woman, they may have some problems using it, even turning it on.  If you then gave that laptop to a younger generation, their way of thinking will work out how to use it much faster due to their way of thinking.

Younger generations bring new talent and fresh ideas, while older generations help discover new talents in other generations and their own.

So if you belong to a younger, or older generation, find out how you can make your mark on the world, and set the world on fire.

Illamasqua Freak Competition

To be given an excuse to create a gold inspired makeup look is like giving candy to a baby.  It's desired, wanted and a joyful opportunity to grab!  This look was created as my entry to the current Illamasqua competition regarding their new limited edition Freak perfume.  Not only is the perfume 67% stronger than the original Freak, it also comes in a fabulous gold bottle!  The downside is of course it's only limited edition, so I'm hoping this 'limited edition' means there's only enough bottles to last 100 years because this really is a keeper!

The competition closes on Sunday 29th July so if you would also like to enter, follow this link

In the words of RuPaul - Good luck and don't f**k it up!

I just wanna be myself and I want you to love Me for who I am

I just wanna be myself and I want you to love me for who I am - Lady Gaga

It suddenly dawned on me last week that it's been over a year since Vanity Nightmare launched, and I never celebrated or acknowledged it.  I decided to create an image that echoed what I initially set out to create in the initial development of the zine which then turned into a blog.  Everyone has a Vanity Nightmare within them, an alter ego that they can either keep to one side and unleash when their want or one that slowly becomes them.

I like many others gets judged and questioned on a daily basis and they are mainly regarding things that have nothing to do with them, and have no impact to their life.  Yet people carry on, and judge, criticise and look down at people with their views that sometimes they don't even agree with, they think that's the way society deems them to be think and be like.  A lot has changed within recent years regarding acceptance and it's not a group of people that start this change, it's one person.

The best advice you can get about the way you live your life can be found in RuPauls Workin' It.

The key pieces to remember are:

Don't take life too seriously

Love yourself

What others think of me is none of my business

And to end of a positive, or a negative depending on the way you look at it.  Today I received feedback that my blog should be less personal and although I welcome any constructive criticism I don't agree with doing such thing.  The images I create come from my heart, my whole zine was based on my own life from the dark times to the best times of my life.  My blog receives views from all over the globe.  My recent Elle intern application received over 100 views and my blog is also linked to on my business card which is given out to people within the industry.  But then there's the people who are not industry professionals who access my site.  My blog allows me to see where people have accessed Vanity Nightmare, on what device and what terms they googled before accessing it.  It's here where I find out that the bulk of my views come from similar minded people, similar minded people who share similar experiences to myself.

Vanity Nightmare may change and alter in format or design, but the principles and method to which I create it will remain the same:
If you have revolutionary potential you have a moral obligation to make the world a better place' - Lady Gaga

We come together cuz opposites attract

We come together cuz opposites attract - Paula Abdul

Let me start by saying please don't judge me on how bad the shading is throughout these looks.  I was only just going to shade the cheeks pink/red, hence why they are the best and the rest just slowly gets worse.  This look was actually done in less than an hour with in between shoots, but I actually think the messy shading works on the last photo, the middle not so much.  The reason why I've kept all these stages is just the show the evolution in a look and I guess it gives you some insight into how I work.
The idea of this look is to split facial features into two, using a black to contour on one half, and as a highlight on the other.  This idea was then brought into the lips, brows and eyes.  So although the shading is incredibly messy, it gets across what I wanted to convey and create.  This will definitely be something I'm going to carry on with, spend more time on, and use more than just one brush and two colors.

When all waters still

When all waters still - Perfume Genius

I'm trying to write a word out and for the life of me I can't actually spell it, and spell check isn't helping either.  Basically it gets on my nerves when I post 3 photos and they take up so much room.  Ok, moving on.  This look was actually posted a couple of posts ago and I actually really like this image so I thought rather that it hanging around on my external memory thing somewhere, I thought it could hang around here in cyber space!
I guess i feel a little bit like that right now, ever since finishing university life seems to be going nowhere, and nowhere soon.   I'm just endlessly wandering with nowhere to go.  Normally when things like this happen in my life the tables turn the next week and something amazing happens.  The only trouble is, my university results come out soon, so it's either going to be amazing news, or just another disappointment.

My life seems over before it's even begun.

This is one over dramatic vanity nightmare signing out x

If I only had a heart

If I only had a heart - The Wizard of OZ

This look was created using Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss, Liquid Metal in Phenomena and an Eye Shadow from MAC in Carbon.  This is actually the first time I've used a Liquid Metal product from Illamasqua and I was surprised to find the texture wasn't something I had expected.  The look and texture of Liquid Metal is similair to that of any cream eye shadow such as Big Bounce Shadow by MAC.  What isn't the same is the consistancy, and while other cream shadows are more liquified, Liquid Metal is more of a soild, but upon touching the product with your finger or brush, your find it's actually very creamy and in my opinion one of the best products I've seen, Illusion d'Ombre by Chanel being another top product.
The great quality about Liquid Metal, and in fact any product from Illamasqua, is that you can use it as little or as much as you want.  It really makes Liquid Metal a versatile product and a must have for any makeup lover, artist and anyone who wants an eye shadow that will just pop and shine.

The look I created here really showcases how Liquid Metal can highlight the face and it enables you to create the illusion of depth with makeup.  I wanted to use both images here as the bottom image is something I used to do all the time after shooting a look or a project.  The effect is called Dark Strokes and without fail, I would always use this after shooting.  The reason why I used it so much as it would automatically transform an image into something much darker, and it would always convey the emotions I put into that image to a cue.  Post production in Photoshop is something I want to develop further so expect to see a lot more posts in the future with multiple outcomes.

And in response to my previous post, this look hasn't been retouched, as you can most likely tell!

Photoshop & Makeup - The Debate

Photoshop & Makeup - The Debate

I'm feeling quite philosophical tonight and I found this image and look I created a couple of months back. The whole debate regarding makeup is something that is most likely to carry on for years and many have mixed views to if it should be used at all.  My own views when it comes to using photoshop for advertising is mixed, I can see reasons to why it should and shouldn't be used, but at the same time, if a company needs to advertise a mascara, it's rather hard to show what it does without extra help.  But then surely by creating lashes from nothing but a photoshop brush is false advertising, but then I guess they are advertising the features of the mascara.  The list really goes on and there really is no right or wrong answer to any of them as there seems to be so many counter arguments.
The trouble is, there is no set limit on how far companies can go, and this then creates a perception of beauty that many aspire to, but can never reach.  The perception of beauty today has only started to create a generation of people with misguided and false views to what they can achieve and the future holds two options.  There's the extreme beauty side which seems to be dominate currently in the form of Toddlers and Tiaras, where beauty is really being pushed to the very limit, and then there's the other extreme of going and looking completely natural which would devastate makeup companies on a global scale.
I hope that future generations are taught all about photoshop, and re-touching, and what can be changed, added and taken away in post production.  I take knowing these things for granted as I clearly have a passion for makeup and brands, in fact I'm surrounded by similar minded people too.  It's not until I talk to people who have no interest in makeup, that I realise they don't actually realise when things are retouched, or when there're not.  This creates a mixed view to these people, and they really have no idea which brands to trust.  And that's not even my point for this blog.
My main point is that I adore Alex Box, and her makeup skills are ridiculous, as in fabulous, her makeup skills are truly amazing and inspirational.  Alex creates looks for each Illamasqua collection and they are on point, precise and perfect.  When I show an Illamasqua booklet to another person, their first reaction is always 'oh that's been so retouched', and in reality, it really hasn't.  From watching behind the scenes videos and Alex in action myself, I know that very little re-touching will be carried out after a shoot.  The fact people think the images have been retouched to the extreme not only affects the brand, but also the makeup artist.

I really went off on a tangent just then, that's the problem with this whole debate, it's everlasting and covers so many different aspects of makeup and beauty.  I guess my point is don't just assume somethings been retouched, don't say how awful adverts are that use 'fake' lashes to show is a mascara curls - then the next second look for a mascara that does just that, and finally do your research.  Most advertising in magazines will say if false lashes have been added, or what colour the model used to dye their hair so you have a few quick answers to your questions right then and there.

The trouble is, I think beauty companies should and shouldn't use re-touching...

And to the main point of this entry - Many of the makeup looks I create on this blog go through a mixture of no re-touching, to a lot of retouching.  The majority of looks are shot in a studio setup and it's refreshing to find images like this that are just taken off a webcam.  I see amazing talent everyday on Facebook when it comes to makeup skills, and those people are so inspirational, and I guess it sounds big headed of me when I'm reminded like those people, I don't need to retouch my images either...

I really have gone off on a tangent now...

Falling from cloud 9, crashing from the high

Falling from cloud 9, crashing from the high - Katy Perry

For the first time ever, this makeup look wasn't taken by me so all credit goes to Jessica Hadden to this image!  This shoot was intended for another purpose but things never go to planned so I thought I would share it with you all here!  On another note, I've been having the strangest dreams, and I seem to be having almost a case of Inception in the morning when you can start to wake up and fall back to sleep in the same dream.  The thing is, sometimes I don't want to fall back into the same dream as it seems most of my dreams have been nightmares.  All nightmare and no vanity.

Reality can be harsh to wake up to, and sometimes I'd rather stay in those nightmares that come to me at night.

Imagination, life is your creation

Imagination, life is your creation- Aqua
  
This look initially drew inspiration from Mass Effect 2, and yes you heard me right, an Xbox 360 game.  I was playing the game one day and thought, wow there are so many amazing makeup looks here just waiting to be created, so I gave my own twist on things.  This look was a rather a last minute shoot and I wasn't terribly happy with any of the results, just because I wasn't able to edit them how I wanted.  So anyway this was actually the last picture I took, and changed the original Xbox idea into an Aqua Barbie Girl one.
I've told you this whole process I went through because as cheesy as it sounds, life is your creation, and it all comes from your imagination.  Things sometimes don't go the way you initially planned and the only thing you can do is imagination something else up, and create that thought into a reality.

Show me your teeth

Show me your teeth - Lady Gaga

So I thought I would share this image with you all,  I completely forgot about this collage until I saw this at Graduate Fashion Week.  This piece was a direct result of conducting a street style report within Soho, London.  A trend booklet was created and this collage shows a brief overview of the textures, colours and the overall experience of Soho.  Soho is by far my favourite place in London and it has a real balance of feeling unsafe, but completely safe all at the same time.  I say unsafe due to the fact around every corner is some kind of XXX rated shop, and when it's not a shop, a burlesque or strip club.  But then there's the clubs and theatres and overall it's just a very welcoming place for people who go there all the time, and for people who are on their very first visit.

Soho - Proving to everyone that there's more to things than what meets the eye.

ELLE Intern Update!

Well it's been only a couple of days, i think two now since I put my entry up to ELLE.COM and already the support I have received has been amazing and completely unexpected.  I mean I thought i would get a few likes but not this many!  And so many people have helped with re-tweets and Facebook sharing, it's really quite over whelming so thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I thought I would create this blog entry as my cover now has the most shares for the position of Art Editor, which is amazing!  The outcome isn't decided just on votes so I obviously know that I still have just as much chance as everyone else!  So thank you again, I don't think I've said thank you so many times in a blog post before!
There are also some amazing entries for the other intern positions so if you have helped me out, or not, please check out the others too!  Other people want this internship just as much as I want it, and I'm sure some can do with the support and help.

Thank you again and if you haven't checked out my cover yet please click HERE

And to check out other entries please click HERE

Thank you again everyone! x

Spring/Sumer 2012 Aquatic Atlantis

I just realised I never actually posted this as a blog entry!  This is what I created for my FMP at university.  I set out to create a new collection for makeup brand Illamasqua, and I wanted this collection to open the brand up to new customers with new and exciting products.  After months of research into all aspects of the brand, from bags to marketing, I settled on a product range.  The main featured products were glitter nail varnishes and a glitter lipgloss.  Other products include a white and black fat pencil and two new bronzers.  All of these products were part of the collection which was for Spring/Summer 2012 and it was entitled 'Aquatic Atlantis'.

The lookbook layout is in keeping within Illamasquas graphic style and all that was left for me to do, is create a lookbook that looked the real deal.  So heres the book and feel free to click through!  There are a total of about 6 images that aren't mine within this book, ones that this include are the S.O.P.H.I.E images and FREAK perfume.  Theres also 1 image from The School Of Make-up Art, so apart from that, all photography is mine, as you may or may not already know!

Let me know what you think! x

OH, and if you want to see the REAL SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTION CLICK HERE

ELLE INTERN 2012

So I've applied to try and get an internship at Elle magazine!  I saw this competition quite a while ago actually, most likely in the first couple of days it was up.  Stupidly I didn't do this sooner, when I initially saw it I was going through one of those 'i'm only going to get rejected' phases, I mean there's only so much ignoring and rejection one person can take!  Anyway, I finally decided to apply and create my own cover!  There's nothing I can really do but sit back and defiantly not relax, I have ALOT of catching up to do, but if anyone can do it, it's me.  So I apologise in advance for bombarding everyone with this, but I really want this, and to quote Cheryl Cole in any sentence - Anything that's worth having, is sure enough worth fighting for.

Oh Cheryl you beauty, and talking about another beauty, here's Kristen Stewart on the cover I designed for Elle!  If you like it, which I obviously hope you will, please click the link and click 'like', even share it if you can!  I would, and do go out the way quite happily to help others get a little bit closer to their dream, so I'm asking just this once (ok maybe ill ask for something else in the future) to like my submission!

Thanks in advance! x

Heres the link - MARK SMALL ELLEUK INTERN 2012

And one more thing, the deadline is TONIGHT as in 12 - This is really for all you future viewers of this post, so I guess the competition is now closed for anyone who reads this after tonight!

Unlimited, our lives are unlimited

Unlimited, our lives are unlimited - Wicked

It's been a long time since I've posted a makeup look inspired by lyrics, and for some reason I cannot get enough of the wicked soundtrack right now.  The first time I saw Wicked was the 16th of November 2006 and it was really a life changing night.  I don't think I've ever been so inspired by something in all my life, and I'll never forget that night.  I was lucky enough to see Idina Menzel in all her glory and I guess no-one really can do it better than her, you can never do better than originals.

Not only is this look inspired by Wicked, but also by the beautiful Illamasqua.  To say I love this lipstick is an understatement, and it really stands for everything Illamasqua is about, which is great.  I remember watching an Alex Box interview and Alex mentioned something about teal being an opposite of red on the colour wheel, and something about tricking your mind with colours.  I'm not entirely sure with the science of it all, but what I am sure about, is how perfect this lipstick is for any skin tone.

I guess this look is something Elphaba (if you don't know the Wizard of Oz or Wicked - shes the 'wicked witch of the west') would wear in OZ, that is if Illamasqua was sold in OZ, and It most likely would be.  Who knows, maybe Glinda buys skin base foundation?!

After all, her skin is flawless!

So if you want to try this beautiful teal shade for yourself, get down to an Illamasqua store or counter now! 
For now here's a little link for the lipstick (you can buy online aswell) ;)!
Illamasqua Apocalips

I always like to end a post on some kind of moral, but I don't need really need for this lyric, it says it all.  Our lives are unlimited, and never forget that.
 

End of year show

Took a trip down to sunny Southampton yesterday to see our end of year exhibition.  It was more of the same things that the Brick Lane and GFW had to offer but this time everyone had their work on display, including portfolios.  Every discipline had their own section within each room and it was great to see everyone's completed projects since half the time everyone was working on them.  It was interesting to see a range of portfolios and finally match up names to work I've seen during each of the shows.  There was a real divide between the quality of work, and it is most likely down to the fact 2 years of our courses didn't count towards our final grade.  So if anyone who's going to university, or studying now who reads this - always put 100% effort into any project, any experience is good experience, and always take proud in what your working on.
My tutor told me something early in my second year that I abide by, and that was - If your not happy with something, do it again - and that's really the key to the success of your work.

So although university is now over for others and myself, this journey that so many have taken isn't completely over yet, soon it will be results time.  So until then I will be bringing you lots more makeup inspired looks inspired by everything and anything, and I mean lots more, it's been a while!

Vanity Nightmare at Graduate Fashion Week

What with the Brick Lane show and GFW, I have been rather busy this month and last.  Later tonight I will be visiting a week long exhibition at Southampton Solent University and that marks the end of these exhibitions.  I visited GFW on wednesday and attended the Gala 2 event, including the awards and drinks reception after.

Within the exhibition, each university had their own space to present students work.  GFW has always been mainly based around fashion design, and design was extremely dominant throughout the space in Earls Court.  Matthew Williamson and Daphne Guinness were just a few of the faces that cropped up throughout the event and it was a shame that there are not more people from the industry that come visit and discover new talent for themselves.  I was pleased to know that my University were not just showing off fashion designers work, but all work from all fashion courses.  After all, fashion design is just a small section of the fashion industry.  Without photographers or graphic designers, fashion weeks all over the world would be merely more than a whisper in the media, so I was pleased to see that our space showcased a range of fashion disciplines.  I was also pleased to see that 4 of my photographs were exhibited within the space and these can been seen above.

It will be interesting to see how GFW changes throughout each year.  Hopefully it will start to become less focused on fashion design, and more on photography, graphics, styling, makeup and marketing.  So congrats to students everywhere, thanks to the people who helped out, and thanks to all the people who attended the 21st Graduate Fashion Week at Earls Court 2012.

London Brick Lane Show

The last week has been pretty hectic for me, but it's what I like so I'm not complaining!  It's been nearly a week since I've moved back home from university and I still haven't unpacked, which maybe is a good thing as I'm planning on moving to London in no longer than 2 months!

Yesterday saw our end of year show in the Old Truman Brewery just off Brick Lane and not only did it show the fashion designers garments they created, it also showed examples of work from graphics, makeup, styling, photography, design and more departments.  There was about 70 in total and I was honoured to have two examples of my work up that come from Vanity Nightmare.

'Queen of the club scene' and 'concealer can't hide all my pink nightmares' were the two images that were chosen and these images almost define the idea I created for Vanity Nightmare.  These two lyrics come from two Jeffree Star songs and Jeffree really is the definition of a Vanity Nightmare.

Now that I'm back home I can start to go through all the makeup I've collected over the past years, including products I haven't even used!  Some of these products are Illamasquas Liquid Metal which I still haven't opened.  Makeup for me is like buying a rubber in a place you've visited.  It's just so beautiful you don't want to touch it.  Maybe that's just me.  You have no idea how many rubbers I have that aren't even used...

I'm looking forward to what the future may bring for me, sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
So to end on some lyrics, I think this is pretty fitting for my situation and every other student who has just finished their degree.

I look once more

Just around the riverbed

Beyond the shore

Where the gulls fly free

Don't know what for

What I dream the day might send

Jut around the riverbed

For me

Coming for me

The limits in life

Left image - 3 years ago. Right image 3 weeks ago

Thought I would share these images with you as I was in the process of clearing up space on my laptop! I remember being told at in college how I would only work at fashion magazines such as Look or if I pushed it, Glamour. And don't get me wrong, those are both amazing places to work at, and looking back now, I can see why my tutor thought that. The picture I created is high street at it's very best, or worst, it's really up to personal views! 3 years on and now I'm told that I will only work at everything but those magazines, which isn't news to me. I've always had looks like the right image in my head for years but it's taken over 4 years to actually create it. I've only just started to get near where my heads actually at and I only have myself to blame.

The limits in life, the expectations of others shouldn't concern you at all, they shouldn't concern me. But, for some reason they do and the only person that creates limits on what you can do, is yourself. And I know this is true, yet I still have barriers in place that are stopping me from reaching my goal which is in it's self, is self destructing.

Who are we to create limits? If you think there's something that is stopping you from reaching your goals in life, step back and think, is there actually something stopping me? Or is it myself?

Who's to say you couldn't just pack up your bags tomorrow and start a new life in New York? No-one, and that's the mindset everyone should have in life.

Aquatic Atlantis

This is my final image from the collection I created in the style of Illamasqua. When I've said in the style of Illamasqua, it's really my style and ideas. Illamasqua is a brand that I can relate to as we do share similar likes and attitudes. Many of these pictures are my favourites for different reasons and I was rather proud of being able to create them all. Maybe in the future Ill create makeup looks on other models for a change, but the canvas that is always available 24/7 is my own face, so it's much more likely your see much more images of me!

The deadline is in 3 days, but I will be uploaded my finished booklet within these days. Hope you enjoy these images, and i hope there's something you can all take away from them, thats take not copy ;)

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Image from created collection for my FMP in the style of Illamasqua.
Makeup, nails, styling, photography and editing by Mark Small

Aquatic Atlantis

Another image shot, styled, edited and created by myself for my self created Illamasqua project for university. The deadline for this project is on the 8th of May and till then I shall be posting a new image everyday. There's no real need for a long post for each, plus I'm rather busy this week! So keep your eyes peeled, enjoy and let me know what you think! x

Aquatic Atlantis

Another little preview from the project I've been working on recently.

Although this whole collection was created as if Illamasqua were to make it, I only used two of their products which was Rich Liquid Foundation in 100 and Precision Ink in Havoc. Due to budget, the rest of the makeup is a mixture of cheaper highstreet makeup which was on the lowest scale of that, most of the eye liner used and shading was makeup that only costs a pound.

A good makeup artist doesn't just use all the same products of one makeup company, and if it's ok to mix vintage Chanel with highstreet, then it's fine to do the same with makeup. It's good to experiment, but if your wearing some cheaper brands on a night out, not expect them to still be visible at the end of the night!

I am done with it

I am done with it - Perfume Genius

So I'm taking these lyrics out of context, but I'm done with it, I've sent my work off to print. I've ordered 10 copies, don't really know why, I want to give copies to various people and I've had a complete guardian angel at Illamasqua who's helped me so much throughout this project so I hope I've done her proud and obviously Illamasqua! I've 'created' new products for the collection, and when i say created, i mean changed the colours of their products to ones they don't currently have.

It's funny, because some of my products changed throughout this project, but I was always set on creating a teal lipstick for Illamasqua. When i was doing my research, i saw a purple, and a dark blue, but hang on, wheres teal? I'm kind of obsessed with teal right now, i guess everyone is, i mean it is the current trend, well maybe it's not anymore, sometimes when you read vogue and look at trend forecasting companies, you have no idea what year your style is 'on trend' BUT anyway, Illamasqua released their actual Spring/Summer collection, not some student one that I've created, and they created a teal! So they obviously stole my idea, which I'm totally joking about! I thought up the colour just before December where as they most likely thought of it the beginning of last year! You have to hand it to Illamasqua, they are pretty much flawless in what they do.

So anyway, I will carry on with posting images from my lookbook and eventually put the whole thing up online here!

And yes every things had a little photoshop, and i know I'm not that good at makeup, but I have the ideas, the passion and the drive to do what i want to do, and here i am doing it.

AQUATIC ATLANTIS

With exactly two weeks until the deadline, it's all rather hectic for everyone right now! I may have been ill from a fever, then chest infection, to just ill, but did that stop me working?! Yes it did, but it's time to catch up. I'm in the process of creating my fashion film, and lets just say, if you have nude nail polish and your handling food colouring, the tip is to not handle it, to be honest, don't go anywhere near it. I now have yellow nails, but on the plus side you could probably play around with nail polish and food colouring to create new and exciting shades!

So anyway, back to the point.

My final majour project looks at ways makeup brand Illamasqua, can appeal to more people, and to gain more publicity. To do this, I've created my own little collection. When i say little, i mean big, and here's one shot that didn't make the look book, but will be used online and etc. Another post coming tomorrow!

Spring/Summer Aquatic Atlantis, will be coming soon!

Hair, Makeup, Photography and Styling by yours truly

To Do List

I don't typically talk about other sites on this blog, well I haven't yet and the is a first time for everything! So before I start tweeting, facebooking, tumblr and post likely doing some instagram next week to show off my FMP, I thought I'd let you know about this little gem of a website!

So if your out and about in London with a little bit of extra cash to splash (were talking about pennies here) then check out http://todolist.org.uk. This website gives you a fantastic list of events around London that are split into sections. You can see events/shows/exhibitions for under £10 or see what the latest offers are around London and also, whats free!. One featured offer is 50% off for students on Lomography, but don't think these offers are just aimed at students, they are aimed at everyone!

As To Do List say, It's free, cheap & offbeat guide to London.

Check them out on the website, tweet or facebook them! Details are below

www.facebook.com/ToDoListLive
www.twitter.com/ToDoListLive

FMP

Another initial look from my FMP for my Illamasqua inspired collection.  The document has now been sent off and is awaiting a proof to be carried out.  This means that once I've approved it, i can share all my images I've taken for it!  Rather excited to share to be honest!

Making a new collection for Illamasqua was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  Illamasqua will typically have a whole team to create a collection over months and months.  That was something i didn't have, and not only that, it was just me.  I decided to create the products, create the makeup, create nails, style and take the photographs of the models.  Not only that, i became graphic designer to create the look book, and although was extremely stressful to do all these things, i enjoyed every moment.  Next week i will start posting the images once a proof has been sent to me, so expect to see some more pictures of other people, and also more of me!

If anyone has a makeup look request that's a little different, let me know and ill give it a go!

The fashion of his love

The fashion of his love - Lady Gaga
This look was created as an initial makeup look for my FMP, but I quite like this image so I thought i would share it with you all!

The people I seem to meet these days don't seem to get any of my Gaga references, and i'm thinking well Born This Way has been out for ages, why wouldn't you?  Then i think, ok, maybe not everyone i talk to has posters of Gaga all over their room, on t-shirts, on badges, on bracelets, really that bitch is on everything, and i wouldn't have it any other way.  If you ask me she should be on more!

So on the rare change that you've never listened to this song, please do!  I love this album for so many reasons, one is the fact some tracks make you want to dance, or make you feel happy, but really, when you listen to the lyrics, there's more to some words and some backing tracks.  This quite a happy sounding song, but it's also bittersweet.  The fashion of his love refers to the relationship between McQueen and Gaga, and it's a horrible feeling to loose a friend close to you, especially someone who has impacted your life as much as them.

The Mexican day of the dead, celebrates past family and friends, and they celebrate all the positives, and celebrate their life.  There's a time for mourning, but there's also time for celebrating, and don't forget that.

Arcade Game Series

Video Games - Lana Del Rey

I thought I would finish this series with a a typical blog entry from myself, a lyric!  Looking back now I can see it looks like I've copied a Bowie image, but that was never the intention, and since when i created these looks it was based around video games, I never really researched into Bowie.  It was most likely a self-conscious move, and this is my favourite image from this series.

Video games can often ruin relationships, but they can also form them.  They can create friendship bonds, and can also grow people apart from one another.  I think everything in life works this way, you can never have something, without loosing something at the same time.  You have to look at the situation, and work out what truly matters to you most, and choose.

Arcade Game Series

Who's that Pacman

My hair wasn't actually ginger at this stage, it was more of a brown/red but I got a little excited with photo shop, with really all these photos.  I also changed it to give a little wink to Bowie, as where would the 80's be without him?  I don't think I've ever owned Pacman, but i do love the idea of the game.  Older people always say that the little messages people put in music is harming children.  Really all they do is point out the meaning.

I never knew what Britney's 'If you seek amy' meant
Or how sexual Vengaboys 'boom boom boom' was

Fact is, my generation grew up with Pacman, basically a man running around eating pills.  Yet everyone seems to be OK about this?  Music and games aren't the ones to damage society, it's people.

Arcade Game Series

What makes you a space invader

Today I bring you the next photo from this little series.  It's funny when you think back about the 80's, not that I actually lived there, and I'm not entirely sure Space Invaders was around either.  Give me a fashion era and i can do that, arcade games, not so much.  I would really love to change these looks and update them as there isn't really much to them.

Arcade Game Series

Down with the Tetris
I just realised I've never posted any of these pictures on this site. Here's the first image, one out of four, from my Arcade Game Series. I created this images as part of a University Project and we worked with the Paper Eaters, also known as the 'The Girls'. They had previous created an installation in Selfridges, and now they came to Southampton to create something different. Their work is very 80's and twists childhood naivety, into something that borderlines sinister, but still all very girly.
This was actually one of the first times i had ever started to practise makeup, so please excuse me for not being the best!

No-one will answer your prayers until you take off that dress

No-one will answer your prayers until you take off that dress - Perfume Genius

OK. So I've given in, i can't hold off any longer showing some pictures from my FMP. Still keeping it all hush hush and under wraps, for no real reason really, i don't even know myself why I'm not doing it. Although i do hate it when people see things in working progress...

So here's one shot from the shoots I've finished. I'm not even using this shot in the project, there's no place to put it, but I'm actually in love with this image!

Makeup, Nails, Hair, Styling and Photography by me!

And if you haven't already guessed, this isn't re-touched so excuse me for it being so messy!

And another thing, if your in need of relaxing music, or music to turn on and can just sit back and cry cause your life is totally fucked up, then put some Perfume Genius on, such a beaut of an artist. Maybe I should do a review on his music, may even do some makeup looks inspired by his tracks, that might be fun!

Anyway I'm rambling, need a moral for this post though...

This picture and you have something in common, they are both working progresses, nothing is perfect, nothing lasts and things can easily change for the better.

You shoot me down but I won't fall I am titanium

You shoot me down but I won't fall I am titanium - David Guetta Feat. Sia

I'm currently In the process of shooting my FMP so I'll be able to post some photos soon!  Been a bit ill this weekend, which doesn't help when you have folders with 500+ photos in waiting to be downscaled to the few good shots I actually have.

Been wanting to put on some black lippy for a couple of days now, don't really know why, this is Barry M by the way!

These lyrics come from my song of the week, like many, I'm obsessed with it.  In fact, the whole David Guetta album is quite amazing really.  There's something that i love about listening to a fast paced song, and stopping to listen to the lyrics.  Even when i know the lyrics and sing-a-long to a track, the message that the song creates never really seems to sink in.  Moral for this post? In this fast paced world we live in, sometimes it's good to step back, re-evaluate what you have and who knows, you might learn something in the process!

I’m broken when I’m lonesome

I’m broken when I’m lonesome - Evanescence

Without apologising for no recent posts, this time I'm going to go straight into this blog entry. I've been playing around with makeup looks i could use for my FMP. For it, I've decided to create a new collection for Illamasqua, I've looked at all aspects of the company, and looked to see how they could gain more customers. I still feel that Illamasqua is a hidden gem, and although their numbers are ever growing, there not nearly as well known as MAC or NARS, which is funny because Illamasqua is so much more creative than any of them.
This FMP is such a headache, It's been just over a month now since my Grandad passed away, and I tend to never talk about my emotions. Some people think i do, but when I share my emotions, that's really only just scrapping the surface. I think this makeup look sums up how i feel right now, although I have a layer of white skin on, the cracks just show a whole new level, it's my barrier, and my emotions are usually under lock and key.
Because of this loss, my creativity seems to have completely gone recently, and I haven't known what to do with myself, or where to channel it. I thought back on my previous work, and I think the reason why I've done so well, isn't because I'm a talented graphic or fashion designer, or great photographer or makeup artist, it's because everything i do is an art piece, they were all extensions of how I feel. I mean, Vanity Nightmare, my actual unit was basically a visual diary. I'm trying to now use my emotions once more to push this unit further than any other, it's harder because unlike other units, this is more based around a real life situation, I'm working to a brief.
And yes this entry is most likely one of the longest I've ever done, and it's not because I wanted to write for ages, it was because I just needed to say these things. I've always thought my biggest regret in life was not talking about my feelings, or going to a physiatrist, but really I'm glad I didn't, because I've turned a negative into a positive, and that's exactly what i need to do now.
The moral of this entry? Blessings come in many forms, sometimes things happen for a reason, and sometimes they don't. Either way everything that comes at you in life will just lead you on another road. It's like playing a board game, although you may find yourself going on a different route to your opponent, your still always reach the end, you just may not necessarily come 1st.