The Makeup Girl

Eyebrow Threading

2011-06-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

After having kinda known about eyebrow threading for a while, I finally decided to look into it. I've been waxing my brows for nearly 10 years so I'm no stranger to the likes of hair removal.

Eyebrow threading has been popular for many years in Arab countries and Indian and Persian cultures. In ancient Persian culture, threading was kind of a rite of passage it seems, a sign that a girl had reached adulthood and had become a woman. The technique is twisting a cotton thread on the unwanted hairs, pulling at the follicle. It can remove an entire line of hair in one go. (Thanks Wiki).

I had done some research online (mainly Google and Vogue Forums) and found some good reviews for the salon across the road from my work. Excellent - that was easy! I'd been eyeing them off for a while anyway. I was a little nervous going in as I really didn't know what to expect. Would it hurt more than waxing? Would it take ages? What if my brows don't turn out right? Turns out I was pleasantly surprised!

I walked in and waited for my turn. You kind of lay down in a chair, a bit like a hairdresser chair but you're tilted back. After asking if I'd had threading done before, the therapist got me to close my eyes and pull the upside and downside of my brow so she had a taut area to work with (sorry bad description but can't think of a better one!). She set off to work on my unruly brows (it had been a while since waxing!) and after about 5 mins I was done! Amazing! The shape she achieved was one like I'd never had before. Perfect.

Don't get me wrong, it did hurt. To be honest, I think it hurt a little more than waxing in that the pain took a little longer to subside.

Pros
:: A nice clean shape can be achieved
:: Quicker than waxing and plucking
:: Cheaper (in my instance anyway)

Cons
:: It may hurt a little more, the pain doesn't subside as quickly

I will definitely be a regular customer. And unfortunately I didn't think to take before and after shots. I'll try to remember next time!

(source)

Tina xx

Twilight: Bella's Wedding Makeup

2011-06-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm a massive Twilight fan! I cannot wait for the next instalments, especially the wedding :-) I've been wondering what Bella would look like on her big day, and now I know. Bellasugar have released a pic of Bella's wedding hair and makeup. See below.

She looks gorgeous. Kristen's dark eyes are stunning in a not-quite smokey eye, and her creamy complexion complimented by a rosy cheek and nude lip. The look is finished off with her hair pulled back with a few strands framing her face. I could honestly look at this photo all day, and I'm not a fan of Kristen!

Now only if we could see the photo from another angle. Edward, anyone? :-)

Tina x

Gorgeous Cosmetics

2011-04-29T00:25:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what Gorgeous Cosmetics was until a few years ago my friend mentioned she was going to do a makeup course through the Academy of Makeup and mentioned the products. I decided to look into the products, and I'm so glad I did.

It took me a while to make my first purchase, but when I bought the Prism highlighter I was hooked. I love using this product on clients and I knew I wanted to put more of their products in my kit. And so I did.

I thought I'd show you the products I got today, because I am excited about one in particular. Also because I love to edcuate others on products, especially ones I don't seem to find reviews on often. Onto the photos...

From top to bottom:

Lipstick in Ginger Spice (LOVE the name!)

Color Pro Eyeshadow in Jet

Lip Pencil in Moulin

Eye Pencil in Coco

Eye Pencil in Chocolate

iINK Liquid Eye Pencil in Carbon Black

Above: Swatches - no flash

Below: Swatches - flash

Swatches (from top to bottom):

iINK Liquid Eye Pencil in Carbon Black

Lip Pencil in Moulin

Eye Pencil in Chocolate

Eye Pencil in Coco

Lipstick in Ginger Spice

(ahem, forgot the swatch of the eyeshadow. Shhh I'm new to this!)

Now, the product that I'm most excited about (even though they are all stunning products). The iINK Liquid Eye Pencil in Carbon Black. I picked this up on a whim and I'm so glad I did! It is very pigmented, glides on smoothly and doesn't budge! It's kind of like a gel or liquid liner but in pencil form. I'm so excited to start using it and I'm hoping to bring you a review once I've had a good play with it!

You can view prices and information on these and other products at the Gorgeous Cosmetics website.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Yay for a 5 day weekend :) What is everyone up to? I'm doing a couple of photo shoots that I'm tres excited about, and spending time with family in between.

Wishing you all a happy Easter. Whatever Easter means to you, I hope you all stay happy and safe.

Please please please remember that pets don't eat human chocolate. If you wish for your pet to have a litle indulgence there are dog chocolates and other yummys you can make them that are pet friendly :)

Have a good holiday xx

Coming soon...

2011-04-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I'm back on the blogging bandwagon after being incredibly busy and I have lots to update you on. New products, new purchases, makeup I'm loving... It's all very exciting :)

Will have heaps of new photos up soon too.

Stay tuned xx

What's in my kit: FACE atelier Ultra Foundation Pro

2010-04-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to post about this foundation for ages! On the hunt for perfect bridal foundations for my kit, I searched other MUAs blogs, websites, forums - you name it, I looked there. It probably goes without saying that I found tons of recommendations, however only a few brands kept popping up. One of them being FACE atalier. In particular the Ultra Foundation Pro.

What was being said about this foundation was everything a bridal MUA wanted to hear - oil free, great coverage without caking, and long staying power. Having found online retailers in Australia, I jumped at the chance to try it out; and I'm so glad I did!

For those who know me know that animal friendly products are of great importance. I don't like unecessary animal testing. FACE atelier products are not testing on animals, nor do they buy ingredients from those that test and their vendors also do not buy from manufacturers that test (source: FACE atelier website). Another big plus that made me purchase.

I bought one for myself, as I always think I'm the perfect candidate to test out foundation. My skin isn't perfect, I need medium to high coverage and (especially in summer) I can get shiny throughout the day so I can definitely put it's staying power to the test! I was not disappointed. The coverage is beautiful, and you can build it up to what you are happy with and I found it lasted all day. I didn't really need to touch up much, but perhaps it wasn't a scorching hot day :)

Pros: Buildable, flawless coverage, doesn't cake, long lasting, oil free, animal friendly.

Cons: I do find that you need to work quickly with application, otherwise it tends to start getting a bit thick and drying. However this isn't an issue if you are using it on yourself and are getting it straight from the bottle. (I put mine on a palette when working on others).

Overall: I can't recommend this foundation enough. If you are after something that does all of the above then this is for you. I will be repurchasing for my personal kit, and will always have it in my professional kit. It is stunning on brides, however just as good if you are going for a night out.

You can view the range here: http://www.faceatelier.com/face/us/web.nsf/fmPublic!OpenForm&t=catalog&cat=ufp

It retails for $32 and can purchase from http://www.pmstudio.com.au/ or http://www.lehved.com.au/

(photo source: marieclaire.com)

I'm back!

2010-04-14T02:52:00.000-07:00

Well we finally have internet connected again at home. I'm very excited as I've been wanting to blog about so many things but haven't really been able to.

I'm planning on doing a few posts about products I have been using a lot, so keep a look out for them.

Until then, if you have anything you would like me to write about please leave a comment or email :)

Speak soon!

STILL M.I.A!!

2010-03-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my absense of late. I haven't forgotten this blog I promise!! I have been without internet at home for a month now, and it looks like it will still be a couple of more weeks at least.

Rest assured that anyone who does contact me via email though will still have a prompt response, as I can access the internet via my phone etc. It just gets hard updated my website and blog on it though!

So as soon as I get back online at home I will update with new pics and a few more things I want to add to this blog and my wesbite.

Until then, I do have some new pics to share with you:

First lot is a maternity shoot I did with the beautiful Nadia.

Next up was a 'neon candy' themed shoot with the lovely Bonnie at Bonnie Cee Photography. And yes, that is the gorgeous models hair!!

New Work

2010-02-11T18:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I updated as I've been trying to figure out where I want this blog to go. I love blogging about all aspects of makeup artistry, so I decided to blog about products, what's in my kit, the work I do, the work I want to do and basically anything else I can think of :)

So on that note, this is a shoot I did a few weeks back with the lovely Kirra from Jayded Photography and the equally as lovely Amber Trail (model).

First up we did a bridal shoot.

Next up were some amazing creative shots.

It was a great day (and hot hot hot! I came home with sunburn, obviously I didn't SPF properly) and I really enjoyed creating both these looks.

Trends from Paris

2010-01-27T02:05:00.000-08:00

The trend to come out of the recent Paris fashion shows was beautifully lined, bright lips. Here's a look at the way different designers brought them to the catwalk.

At Christian Dior, look-at-me lips were matched with look-at-me eyes. I'd love to recreate this look, so keep a look out in coming posts!

Chanel opted for a more classic look. Red-hued lips were teamed with barely there eyes.

Givenchy took a completely different path and stepped away from the "rule" that we saw at Chanel. Here, the models rocked a strong smokey eye / gothic look.

See more at http://www.vogue.com.au/

Not so new to the world of blogging!

2010-01-23T02:02:00.001-08:00

Hello. My name is Tina Mathams, your friendly Brisbane Makeup Artist. Well, one of them :)

Over the past year I have tried to start several blogs, all of which have proved unsuccessful. However, a new year brings a new blog. A successful one.

Here, I will blog about my career as a Makeup Artist and about all things makeup and beauty related.

Welcome to my blog.