Against Animal Testing

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to share a post with you all on animal testing.

As I am sure many of you are aware animal testing STILL goes on and in 2016 I feel very strongly that this is unacceptable. There is a massive movement going on at the minute and I wanted to take some time out to share my views.

I unfortunately worked at MAC who disgustingly has their products tested on animals  (along with many others) and a lot of their products make up my kit. Not long ago they released a statement which basically said that they are 'working' on animal testing being banned in China, however as it is still a legal requirement in that country, money means far more to them than animals, therefore they will still continue to sell there rather than pull their products... in a nutshell.

I will no longer be purchasing any products that test on animals... I have a very large kit of makeup which does still have some brands, and as much as I would LOVE to bin them all, I'm not a millionaire, I have no choice but to use up what I have so I can then replace them with cruelty free products. You will see over the next few months posts informing you of replacement products that I will be using. In addition to this I will also no longer be promoting any such brands, I have deleted all old blog posts that promote such brands. I can't change the past or the lack of education I had on the topic, but I can make positive changes to be the change I wish to see in the world.

You can find out if a brand tests by simply googling it, it takes all of about 2 seconds.

I look forward to finding new products I may have over looked in the past and sharing my finds with you. I also urge you to tag me or share with me any of your favourite cruelty free products.

Recommendations welcome :)

Olivia x

Happy New Year

Hello

Happy New Year To Everyone!!!  

I don't really make new year resolutions but I plan to spend more time doing the things I love which is my blogging and youtubing and spending time with my family and closest friends. 

2015 has been a great year for me. It has been amazing in my personal life and work life. I learnt a lot about who my real friends are, opened my beautiful salon which is one dream ticked off and went on a few special holidays. 

2016 I don't doubt will be just as good in other ways. 

I hope you all had a great Xmas and new year and that your 2016 is a happy and healthy one.

Olivia 

Salon Of My Dreams

Hello Everyone

You may have noticed my absence with blogging and YouTube recently and this is due to my new project taking up all my time. It's taken me 7 months of hard work but 4 weeks ago I finally opened my own salon which I have dreamed about having for years.

I wanted to do a blogpost to share with you my little journey, some photos and tell you about my new baby.

After months of searching for the right premises in March this year I found a property which needed a LOT of TLC. When I walked in the walls were falling apart, holes missing out the walls and ceilings and I was transported back to 1970 with the decor... I LOVED IT and what I knew it could be! After negtioations in April everything was finalised and the renovations began. The building has been stripped back to brick, every wall taken down, re built and re structured so every single thing you see is brand new and designed by me.

My dream was always to have a Unisex salon that caters for everyones needs both male and female and that is what I hope I have achieved.

My passion is make-up and its something I love doing and I am so proud of my work and everything I've achieved. I have an amazing team of make-up artists; @caitlinanneduffx @feature_mua @jordanaticiamakeup & @charlotte_metcalfe_mua who between us we are available for any occasion. Charlotte is also available for nails on Tuesdays & Fridays.

To compliment the make-up I have three amazing hair dressers; @callumheslophair who specialises in  barbering and THE BEST curly blow drys I've ever seen & @nataliecropper_hairmua who is a phenomenal colourist with over 10 years experience, my right hand woman for weddings and she's very handy with a makeup brush too and @francescaoslerhair who is also amazing in every way.

As you may know I am a cosmetic tattooist or semi permanent makeup consultant, both mean the same thing :) I have 2 years experience and I absolutely love what I do. I couldn't imagine ever not wanting to go to work now & I never thought tattooing peoples faces could be so rewarding but it really is. Being someone who has naturally bushy brows I never knew the problems and issues people had with their brows until 2 years ago. The difference a good eye brow makes to your face is INSANE. Makes you look younger, prettier, fresher and feel so much better. Semi permanent makeup can be done on your lips too. I don't offer eye liner services as I do my makeup to look natural, and theres nothing natural about a black winged out line on your eye and my clients are a representation of me so I choose not to do it although I am fully trained to do so. I tattoo on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays only, leaving the weekend for me to paint faces. My waiting list varies depending on the time of the year from 3/4 weeks to 8weeks in the peak of the summer so I would urge anyone who's wanting them doing to book well ahead of time.

I have two laser specialists, a male Elliot and a female Anita who are both fully trained in all laser services. Anita specialises more in female hair removal and Elliot tattoo removal and male hair removal. Additional to this we can remove unwanted freckles, thread and spider veins, pigmentation and reduce scars and birthmarks. Basically if there is anything you want removing we pretty much can do it! It takes roughly 6-8 sessions to remove most things so if you want to be hair free for summer or tattoo free for your wedding you need to get started soon. Each session has to be 4 weeks apart so you're looking at 6-8 months. For tattoo removal we've had some amazing results after just 4 sessions but of course everyones body is different. Also I know a lot of people think that laser hair removal is painful and with many machines it is but with ours it is completely PAIN FREE, I 100% guarantee it and if you don't believe me feel free to come in and have me prove it to you with a patch test.

We now offer HD brows for those ladies who have lots of hair but just need it shaping and enhancing, LVL lashes & lash extensions by my Caitlin.

Anyway thats about it for our services and our amazing team, scroll down to see my before (when stripped back, I WISH I had taken photos before the work started) and after photos.. Click on the images to make them larger.

I hope to see some of you soon

Olivia x

Charlotte Tilbury Out Of 10

Hello Again

As some of you may know I am a big CT fan!!!

I have tried and tested most of her products and thought you may find this helpful for when you are wanting to try this brand yourself.
Now she isn't cheap. This is definitely a luxury brand. Some products are very very VERY much worth it. Others I think there are better value for money products else where.
Over all CT gets a 8/10 from me.

Light Wonder 10/10

Medium Coverage. Does not come off. Dewy/Natural finish. Looks Amazing in photos. Has to be my fave foundation ever!

The Retoucher 5/10

As concealers go it isn't the best. Coverage is sheer to medium. If you are wanting to hide under eye darkness this isn't a go to product. I prefer Nars Creamy Concealers. They get 10/10 from me.

Filmstar Bronze & Glow 10/10

Absolute DREAM of a contour & highlight kit for caucasian skin to mixed race asian skins. She does a darker one for darker tones. I use it on nearly every night out and its so handy for taking out with me as its 2 in one packaging. i also LOVE her sculpting brush. i don't know what i did before it!!

Cheek to Chic 7/10

these blushers are really nice but the colour range is poor. I'm sure she will bring some more shades out. they look lovely on the skin, easy to apply but are all quite pinky even those that aren't meant to be. i like more peachy shades and warm tones but that just my preference.

Full Fat Lashes 4/10

it could just be my lashes but this mascara isn't for me. gives very little drama and requires a lot of layers to achieve very little. not the worst I've ever used but equally not the best either. i would use mac in extreme dimension over this and its cheaper too.

Magic Foundation 8/10

this is a good coverage, satin finish, long wearing foundation that makes you look very flawless, yet to try it out in photos properly but looks ok in my selfies haha. she's brought out a better colour range in this too which is good.

Eyes To Mesmorize 8/10

nice cream bases, good colour range, don't crease too much, long wearing.

Rock n Kohl 5/10

these liners aren't great on the water line and come off very easily. they're ok to smudge to make a smokey eye or use as a base. i love the nude colour but it just doesn't last. i much prefer mac ones they are better longer wearing and cheaper.

Wonder Glow 4/10

It is a nice hydrator to add radiance to the skin but I've used others that are far better. strobe liquid from mac is better and they are bringing out the gold one again for xmas which is my ultimate favourite.

Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder 9/10

i love this powder as it has oil in so its great for drier skins. it is great when you want a dewy look but still need to add powder to parts. they are in 3 shades, not totally translucent but don't add much colour. i wouldn't wear alone though. the only powder that beats this for me in mineralise skin finish by mac.

Colour Chameleons 8/10

these are nice chubby pencils for eyes, can use as a base or alone.

Luxury Eyeshadow Quads 9/10

i think the colours are beautiful and very pigmented and i love glitters. however there are no matte blending colours in there aside from the sophisticate one, i think there should be the odd one in some of the palettes which i think they lack. i think they aren't badly priced at all though, works out like £9 a shadow.

Lip Cheats 10/10

i LOVE the lip pencils, especially the lip cheats in iconic nude and pillow talk. they are extremely waxy, great for re shaping the lips and don't come off.

Lip Sticks 10/10

i equally LOVE the lip sticks, i have quite a few shades of which all of them i love. they are long lasting and don't dry out your lips. Penelope Pink is my fave!

Skincare 10/10

i use a lot of her skincare every day i think its worth every penny however it is VERY expensive.
the magic cream is my fave, the cleanser, the mask & eye makeup remover.


You may notice a few products I've left out and this is simply because I've not tried them yet as they haven't appealed to me.

I hope you find this helpful for your next makeup shopping trip.

Olivia x

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

Hello

Here's some of my favourite highlighters: 

Becca Cosmetics: 

Moonstone 

Opal 

Champagne Pop 

(I like both the pressed and poured highlighters) 

Laura Mercier: 

Baked Highlighter 01 

LE- Indiscretion 

Nars - Albatross 

The Balm - Mary Lou-minizer 

Charlotte Tilbury - Bronze & Glow 

🌟

Lash Secrets

Hello

So I'm currently away and I've not worn lashes once in Vegas as I haven't needed them. Wanted to share my secrets to getting great lashes. 

1. It's all about the curl

Now I've got horrendously straight lashes. I can only think I come from the descent of camels. They're that straight they point downwards. So if you have naturally curly lashes then great for you (bitches). For those of you who don't you have 2 options. 1. Those of you with short lashes I would recommend LVL lashes. This lifts the lashes from the root into a flat bend so your lashes point upwards and open up your eye. This isn't a curl but gives more dramatic effect. 2. For those of you with medium - long lashes then I would recommend getting them permed. I go to blink at Selfridges in the Trafford centre and will only use a lovely lady called Hema. Now BE CAREFUL when picking someone to perm or LVL your lashes. It can go wrong!!! If someone uses the incorrect rod your lashes can literally fold back on themselves (trust me it's happened to me twice). If you're fair then get them tinted too. I average I would say I get mine permed every 8 weeks. 

If you have a natural curl. Or you are going to have then permed you will still need lash curlers if you want it super dramatic for nights out. If you get LVL you won't need them until the new lashes start to grow through. 

2. More hair the better 

The secret to long thick lashes that don't fall out is "Rapid Lash" you can buy this from boots it's around £40 and lasts forever. You just apply it once a day at night. It stops your lashes falling out and creates thick long beautiful lashes. Be aware though. If you stop using it they will go back to normal. Think of lash serum as moisturiser for your lashes. You wouldn't stop moisturising your skin just coz it was looking nice. So the same with your lashes. 

3. Black & Bold 

Mascara ! And lots of it. So there's a few different mascaras I like. I will list them in a minute. One thing I will say is just because I like a mascara. Does not mean you will: Tarte Cosmetics Lights Camera Action is an amazing mascara!

I buy this from America but you'll be able to order online.

Last but not least we need to discuss removers. The AMOUNT of my clients that come in and il give them some makeup remover and they literally attack their eyes. I'm like woooooaaaaah stop right there. Your eyes are THE MOST delicate part of your body. The skin is 50% thinner and the elasticity there is the first to go, this is why people age there first. You need to be using gentle cleansers and wipes to remove your makeup. Don't pull and rub. Gently soften the mascara with cleanser on a pad then massage off. Try to use your fingers to massage off your lashes rather than vigorously rubbing your entire eyes. Removers with oils in will usually condition lashes too but not everyone can use them due to contacts etc. 

Hope you find this helpful. Do let me know if you find in a few months this has worked for you ( it will take 4-8 weeks to see an improvement in lashes with the serum )

Olivia x

My Fave Nudes

Hey

So I always get asked about what's my favourite lip shades so here's a quick blog of my top lippies and liners. 

I personally wear different hues of nude. I don't really like colour on me that much and always like to wear the safe options. 

Liners - 

Charlotte Tilbury - Iconic Nude, Pillow Talk 

Too Faced - Perfect Spice

Kiko Precision Liners - 502 504

Lipsticks -

Charlotte Tilbury - Penelope Pink, Nude Kate 

Gerard Cosmetics - Nude, The 1995, Buttercup 

Too Faced - Melted Nude, Melted Chihuahua 

Hope these help when you're next picking a new nude 

Olivia x