Martha's Must-Have Makeup List! Christmas Gift Ideas! ♥

Hey guys, I thought I'd bring you something a little different today. I come across so many people whether it be friends, family or even clients that find it difficult to buy for the makeup enthusiast in their life. While a voucher is always a safe bet and for some (like me) a preferred choice, imagine the delight on her face when you surprise her with some absolute staples for any makeup kit, whether it be for personal or professional use.

I'm going to give you recommendations based on products that I can't live without!

Any questions? Just ask! 

Martha x

Well that's it guys. I hope this list has helped you on your journey to please your loved one that little bit more, or maybe it'll act as a good 'hinting' tool ;) Either way, I hope this helps! Martha x

Product List: Dramatic Smokey Eye & Purple Lip! ♥

So recently I did makeup on gorgeous Ciara for a friend's birthday party. Excuse my French, but you all went ape-shit over it. Hahaha! It has received the most likes on any photo of mine to date - bringing a total of 2,700+ likes and counting. You can view the photo in a better resolution here as the blog makes them blurry! There were SO many comments with many questions and a lot of you asking for a product list.
Well, today is your lucky day! 

I would post a Step-by-Step but recently did so on an extremely similar look. Ciara actually asked me for a replication of that look, so the products are a little different but the steps I took were pretty much identical! You can read that here! 

So.. here comes the goodness!

Product List

FACE -

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer 

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid NC40 & NW20

MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer NW15

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder NC35

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette 'Banana'

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skin Finish 'Medium Deep'

MAC Sculpting Powder 'Sculpt'

MAC Cosmetics Blush 'Peachy Keen'

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skin Finish 'Lightscapade'

MAC Cosmetics Fix + Spray

EYES -

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion 

MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadows
 'Gesso', 'Blanc Type', 'Orange', 'Red Brick', 'Swiss Chocolate', 'Folie', 'Embark'

Inglot Eyeshadow '335', '63'

Inglot Gel Eyeliner '77'

Inglot Duraline

MAC Cosmetics Eyeliner pencil 'Feline'

Rimmel London Mascara 'Lash Accelerator'

Ardell Lashes '117'

Duo Glue

BROWS -

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder 'Dark Brown' & 'Ebony' 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade 'Medium Brown'

Inglot Duraline

MAC Cosmetics Correct & Conceal Palette 'Light'

LIPS -

MAC Cosmetics 'Bespoken For' lip pencil
NYX Cosmetics 'Purple Rain' lip pencil
MAC Cosmetics 'Heroine' lipstick

MeMeMe Cosmetics Rich Color Lip Glaze (the one here)

So, did you find that helpful? Hopefully that answers some of the 100 questions I was asked about this look. There wasn't a little part of me that was expecting feedback so huge. I think the WOW factor is the lips which were Ciara's idea. That means I definitely need to learn to become a little more adventurous when it comes to makeup! Bye bye nude lips!

I hope you enjoyed, Martha x

Blue Eyed Beauties - Best Colour Combos! ♥

Do you have blue eyes, like myself?

I really love working on blue eyed girls and find that it can be the brightest eye colour that just POPS like no other! I've heard a lot of mixed opinions on colours to suit blue eyes but I disagree with a few that would include gray, blues and taupes. Cooler colours are a no-no, in my opinion.

The Theory

You're always supposed to refer to the colour wheel when choosing the perfect colour combination. Choosing a completely contrasting colour to the subject will make it pop! Have a look at the colour wheel to the right. See your eye colour? Now head to the opposite point of the wheel and choose that colour! As you can see, orange shades will work for blues.

So, what colours work for blue eyes?

Tones that ease into the warmer side of life. Orange, copper, bronze, red, gold, beige, toasty browns & creams are always a great starting point! They completely flatter blue eyes and allow your eyes to shine. I find that peach, corals & pinks are gorgeous for blue eyed beauties too. Purples can work as long as they ease towards cranberry and steer away from navy and blues. Read more about what to avoid below!

What colours to avoid for blue eyes?
Speaking on a strictly technical basis, anything that is cool should be avoided. This would be your gray, silver, taupe, blues and navy shades. Your blue eyes are a perfectly cool colour themselves and need something to compliment them, not over-power them.

Martha's Top Picks for Blue Eyes
MAC Cosmetics eyeshadows 'Orange, Red Brick, Coppering, Nylon, Cranberry, Amber Lights' €10
Urban Decay eyeshadow 'Half Baked' €18
Inglot eyeshadows '335, 51, 65, 407' €6
Sleek Sunset Palette €10Makeup Revolution 'Mountains of Gold, Naive, So Good To Me, Touch Me, I Want U' £1

So for blue eyes, the contrasting colour is orange. In saying that, you shouldn't restrict yourself to that colour. Makeup is all about experimenting, being creative and feeling good about yourself. You can't do that using the same colour every single day, but it definitely flatters. And trust me, it works! Of course there are girls with naturally bright eyes that no matter what they do, any colour will work - (luckyyy). Always experiment with your own makeup and even try out the 'no-go' shades to see what works for you. Makeup isn't black and white. If it was it sure would be a lot easier though! Do what works for you and makes you feel good.

Remember - it's all about contrast. To make black stand out, you'd wear white, right?

Comment below if you'd like me to do more colours!

I hope this helps! Martha xx

For Your Eyes Only - Eyelash Review

Recently, I was in with the AMAZING Eve-Ellen from 'For Your Eyes Only' in Portmarnock. My hometown, super handy. I'm heading on holidays on the 27th July and didn't want to deal with the stress of applying eyelashes every time I go out at night. I'm perfectly fine with applying them on other people, but jeez when it comes to myself I'm a glue-in-one-eye, glue-in-one-eyebrow, lash-on-my-cheek kinda lady! Eve-Ellen is one of my loyal clients & dozens of ladies pop into me with their fabulous lashes on, so I was only dying to treat myself when the time was right.

Upon it's beautiful garden setting lay the salon. I was seriously impressed with the décor. It felt extremely professional yet very cozy at the same time. We had a brief chat about what I wanted to go for before laying on the bed with a fluffy blanket with my eyes closed. 'Friends' was playing on the TV in the background, so it really made me feel at home. Eve-Ellen is always telling me about the amount of ladies that actually fall asleep during their lash application. So as you can imagine, super relaxing and pain free!

The lash application started & went like a breeze. I lay there having a chat before it was all over and I was asked to take a look. Though part of me didn't want to sit up, I wanted to lie in the coziness all day! As you can imagine, I was absolutely deee-lighted! She had listened to everything I had said & really took it on board. The Before & After photo speaks volumes in itself. It also makes me realize the amount of god darn freckles I have despite lathering myself in SPF50 on a daily basis. *cries*

As you can see, pretty amazing, right?

I had asked for them to be quite full and the tiniest bit more natural in the inner corners. I was absolutely delighted that it turned out as I had hoped. Eve-Ellen really is a perfectionist, and in my opinion one of the best in the business. As soon as I sat up, my lashes felt absolutely no different from my own. It barely even feels as though I'm wearing mascara. I can't see them, they're not irritating and I keep forgetting they're there!

Now, down to business... here come the prices!

Mascara Look €65.00

This look is really natural, but will still allow you to stand out from the crowd. With about 100 lashes applied directly to each eye, this type takes around 90 minutes.

Mink Luxury €95.00

This bad boy is what I got for myself. They're totally weightless, soft-to-touch & no need for mascara (duh!). They're the most natural looking lashes on the market. They last between 4 - 6 weeks. With about 200 lashes applied per eye, this type takes around 180 minutes. 

Refills €45.00

Refills are recommended every 4 weeks if you want to maintain your fuller-looking lashes. This takes 90 minutes.

So, there you have it. There is absolutely no pain involved when getting them applied - you barely even feel it! There is very little aftercare involved. You're advised not to shower for 24 hours after the application as the glue is still sensitive. Then regarding makeup, work away! Though be advised to use oil-free products on your face & eyes as that can loosen the glue. Piece of cake! I've already invested in the Simple Eye Makeup Remover for my holiers. Besides that, don't be a silly moo. If you really want to be bold and wear mascara (even though there really is no need), there are a few oil-free mascaras on the market, such as Maybelline Great Lash which I'm running out to buy tomorrow (just in case hehe).

Well that's it guys. Any more questions please feel free to comment beneath this post or else ask Eve-Ellen herself. Here's the link to her website & facebook page. I'll let you guys know I get on over the next 4 - 6 weeks with them. Really excited to head away now ;) Thanks for reading & don't forget to 'like' me on Facebook here!

**UPDATE - These lashes have been a breeze! They were nothing like I had expected. I've heard from many clients about how they found them awkward in the shower etc but I literally didn't even notice they were there. As they've gradually fallen out, you don't feel any pain or sensation at all. I've worn eye makeup three times with them (in two & a half months) so I think that really helped them stay as long as they did. How long, you ask? Well.... Update Photo!!!

Yes I did just take this as I'm writing the update and yes I am in bed with my onesie. I'd roughly say I have about 5-10 eyelashes left on each eye. Oh, the date? 1ST OCTOBER!!! I could not recommend these highly enough and I cannot wait to get them done again!**

Martha xx