FOTD: BTEC Coursework - Fantasy Inspired

This was the piece I got most excited about as soon as read the brief, it was themed on musicals and creating a competition piece themed on the chosen piece. I love Phantom of the Opera and instantly wanted to attemp the iconic mask from it usin make up. In Phantom you get two stories, Christine, the brilliant but ophaned songstress that has had private teachings from the "Angel of the Night". It's a twisted and wonderful love story. My inital design was to combine bot stories the phantom one side and Christine on the other.

I started with the phantom side as I knew this would take the longest, the paint is a white face paint taht is activated using water. This means you have to build it up in layers until you get a white canvas, I used a black eyeshadow to soften the lines to look like shadows.

On Christine's side I used the following:

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up in Ivory
Blusher: MUA in Shade 4
Eye shadow: Sleek Make Up palette in Sparkle 2
Eyeliner: Lancome in Black
Eyebrow: Avon in Black
Lip liner: Estee Lauder in Fig
Lipstick: Burberry in Rosewood

The all over look is stunning, the mask came out better this time than the second. The first time didn't go to plan and I passed because I was abjective in my alaysis of the look. I love the eyes in Christine's side, the golds and black look striking, I did a black and white shot of them and loved them even more. The mask still needs work but it is much better than the first attempt.

FOTD: BTEC Coursework - Bridal

 

It feels long ago now to be talking about my final pieces from my BTEC in Make up artistry coursework. I qualified for my BTEC in Make Up Artistry in February after submitting a portfolio of evidence. The final pieces were 5 set briefs (you will see four of them due to model agreements) that needed to be filled, over the next few weeks I am planning to share as many of these pieces as I can starting with Bridal.

 

With the bridal brief it was for a 20-30 woman who hardly wears make up and wanted to still look natural but still had in mind the needs of the day.

 

Primer: MUA Cosmetics

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up in Ivory

Concealer: Estee Lauder Disappear in Light

Blusher: MUA in Shade 4

Eye Shadow: Sleek Sparkle 2 Palette

Eye Liner: Rimmel liquid in Brown

Mascara: Lancome Hypnose Drama in Black

Lip liner: Estee Lauder in Fig

Lipstick: Estee Lauder in Vintage Mauve

 

Of course using a foundation with SPF produces the 'ghost' effect that is produced here, so if this was put onto a bride I would use one without. However the really like the glow finish of Wake Me Up foundation, the coverage is build able and photographs well. I still like to use my creamy Estee Lauder concealer, it blends well without creasing as well as being light enough for pale skins. You will notice that the Sleek palette appear more over the next few weeks, it has been my go to because of the pigments and shimmer/sparkle.

 

 

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

As I have written before I have been studying for my BTEC for a year now and January was spent in a whirlwind of make up frenzy getting assignment pieces ready. These I am hoping to share for you soon, including my fantasy piece that for the assignment that didn't go perfectly but I am determined to give it another try just under less stress.

I had to have my results finalised after I was told I didn't pass but then received all the paperwork with pass written all over it. After discussing this with them they checked with my tutor, I got the email Saturday confirming that in fact I had passed with only one tiny thing marked down on. I am now proud to say that I now am a Make Up Artist. I am over joyed to the point I cannot put into words.

Hours later we had confirmation of our moving van to move back into our previous home (with my in-laws in a seperate annex). This is a huge step as since losing my job last year and taking a new one with a pay cut, things have been a struggle. My husband and I have really strenched our 'For better, for worse' vows to the maximum.  Tomorrow we celebrate being together for 4 years, and without him I think I would be in pieces by now.

This does mean that for the next week as my computer gets discounted and moved I will be taking another break from blogging as time is short for me as I am also working extended hours with no break in sight. I'm disappearing altogether you are more than welcome to follow me on twitter (@unevenlemming) an am also going to Professional Beauty this Sunday which will make a great break from moving stuff.

Thanks to everyone to good wishes and support over the past few weeks and the weeks to come. I'm off to pack up my nail and make up kits!

Update on my BTEC in Make-Up Artistry

I have spoken in the past that I am currently studying for my BTEC in Make-Up Artistry, after 3 assignments I am now working hard on the final assignment. This contains 5 designs briefs - Party, Wedding, Fashion, Photographic and Fantasy. I have spent the previous weekend doing two of the briefs and am currently filling in treatment plans, designs and evaluations, as well as editing photos and writing reports for them. I am still loving the course and cannot wait until I qualify, however time is limited as for the next few weeks I need to get everything finished and handed in for the end January. 
I am really excited about the Fantasy element that is themed around musicals - I've chosen Phantom of The Opera because it is my favourite, I've seen it in the West End, got the Film version and really want the Live DVD version. I'm thinking of doing a half face piece, one side the phantom, the other half Christine. My front room is currently covered in photos, make-up and drawings. As it is my final piece I want to put as much as I've learnt into it, as well as making it a show stopper!
This does mean that updates on here will for the next few weeks be fewer than normal, wth the Masterclasses returning next month as these take the most time to research and put together. It also interesting as I learn that I really want to share it you guys, I'm still finding more and more things that I want to write and share about.
The blog also hit 10,000 page views a few days ago, I am still humbled that people read this, I won't say too much now - that'll come on my one year anniversary on 25th.  For now, keep safe everyone and I'll see you on the other side.

Ah 2013 - I've Been Expecting You

Happy New Year everyone, for an inspection of Twitter you seemed of got a little merry last night. I spent my evening on the sofa with the husband avoiding the bits that made me feel queasy in the film Prometheus, as well as watching the fireworks in London on TV.

I have no New Year resolutions because I never seem to keep them with all the best intentions. I know what I need to do this year - finish my BTEC coursework before February, carrying on blogging and stop worrying so much about life itself.

Over the past year this blog was born, I've turned 30, lost a job, and gained a job. I've been poor and then poorer and have been on a spending ban for as long as I can remember. However, through the support of husband, family and friends, I haven't gone barking mad just yet.

2013 will hopefully bring a little more stability and balance with life and blogging - As I've said my BTEC is due to finish in over a months time as well my home moving into something smaller (I'm still working out how to move my make up kit over!).

For now I shall leave you from one of the pictures I've been editing today from my assignment and once again with you all a very happy and beauty filled new year.

Where I have been and where I am going

I regularly take part in the #bbloggers twitter chats that happen on a Sunday and Wednesday night, Sunday nights subject was what inspired you and how you started.

I started this blog on 25th January 2012 after injuring my knee the end of last year. I had a lot of free time on my hands and was browsing the internet where I started reading British Beauty Blogger on a daily basis. It from her blog that I started clicking her favourite links and tripped over The London Lipgloss and A Beauty Junkie in London, which then lead to Jayne's Kistchen (all links to blogs are on the right in 'Blogs I Love' as I am writing this on my tablet straight after the chat and it won't let me link everything up).

For myself I was reaching a crossroads, my injury forced me to relook at the life I was living, I was just plodding along with nothing that filled my time. I still love Beauty and I always looked fondly back on my Estee Lauder days. It just clicked, "I've got experience to throw my ideas out there, why not?" so that how Unevenlemming Beauty was born, with an idea and a little bit of hope.

For me in an year that has more downs than ups, this little corner of the blogging world has been my continuing piece of sanity through it. I want take this entry to thank everyone of you guys who reads, comments, follows, and tweets. I am part of a great community of talented but human people, we need to keep hold of that as it is something really special.

For 2013 I know there are great things coming including a make over for the whole blog, as I grow it grows with me. I will also (fingers crossed) complete my BTEC in February and finish the course that I have always dreamed of doing. This is also a time of moving as I am moving home to something smaller and more manageable (and yes cheaper), this does mean that my husband and I can put a lot of stress behind us. All I ask is for a little patience while all this happens, but it's going to be so exciting and I'm looking forward to sharing it all.

The Beauty Bloggers Tag

This is stolen from the talented Sophia from Tattooed Tealady, not only a great blogger but also a supporter of other beauty bloggers out there.

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

My first entry was 25th January 2012, and was started after I was reading a few and wanted to throw in my own thoughts with my experience in beauty retail. I was also at a cross roads in my career, I was working in retail management but constantly hovering over to the beauty stands next to me as I missed working in them. I was also still recovering from a knee injury and wanted to give myself something to do while I was recovering.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

 

British Beauty Blog was the first one I tripped over as well as read every single day, not only is she one of the first ones to start but as person I found her wonderful. When I tweeted her one day to say she was my inspiration to start, she was shocked but really supportive and humbled. Jayne from Jayne's Kitcshen and Zoe from The London Lipgloss are two of my faves, I feel I could happily have a night out with either.

 

As I read more and more I need to nod to my fellow #bbloggers including Sophia, Rachael from Live, Food, Love, Beauty Bird, All That Slap and Beauty Balm (I'm sorry if I've missed anyone out!). All have not only been welcoming been have been happy to help when I tweet in distress!

 

 

 

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

 

I'd seen other Glossyboxes online and brought the Harrods one, which I really liked, however at the time I couldn't afford to carry on. To this day I'm very glad I did, since then I haven't been over stuck by them. I just found them over hyped and for the amount of money they were asking for them not worth it. They still send me mails for money off, but I'd rather stick with Latest In Beauty (subscription free and very well done boxes).

 

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

 

It's made me realise this is what I want to do for a career, it inspired me to start my BTEC in Make Up Artistry and use the knowledge (and kit I've collected over the years!) to good use. I will spot something in a mag and rather than buying it I'd search/tweet reviews on it before buying it, I respect my bloggers opinions more. I really love the #bbloggers community, as they are probably the only set of people who can put up with my constant make up talk. Remember the lines from Spice Girls movie that Sporty said to Posh ("It must be so hard for you, Victoria. I mean, having to decide whether to wear the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or... the little Gucci dress!")? I swear I'm like that with nail varnish.

 

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

 

Past all the stats, followers, PR blah blah, and everything as long as still have a passion for what you do everything else will fall into place. Not all products work for everyone as well as you cannot be everyone's cup of tea.

 

"Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly" (Baz Lurman song - Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

 

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

 

I would say developed more, I get more confident as the entries go on, It driving me more than this time last year, where I was not in the best place and I owe it to this to refocusing me. I still however appreciate peoples feedback more than anything and getting them means a lot. Thank you to everyone who has so far, it still leaves me warm and fuzzy.

 

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

 

Don't think you need to copy anyone, if they rave about it and you hate it: Say it loud! Do everything at your own pace, sometimes you'll have lots of talk about some weeks nothing - everyone has the same problem. Comment, tweet, talk to other bloggers and enjoy the community.

 

 

 

Name your top five brands! (can only think of four)

 

Estee Lauder - Love their Limited edition make up range and skincare serums. Also gave me my first make up job.

Lush - Since there was only one store in Covent Garden, a great payday treat brand. Staff are amazing, still my dream to work there one day.

MUA Cosmetics - Great value and great products considering it start from £1.

OPI - My first nail varnish love, I own a few and dribble over their colour charts a lot.

 

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!

 

MUA Palettes - Really good pigments, Dupes of the high end brands and around £4. Been using these in my BTEC work and still photo well.

Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair - I miss my staff discount! gel like serum that sinks in, always make my skin look fresh and helped with my spot scars that I had for years. I miss this, fingers crossed it'll be back in my life soon.

Lush Cupcake facemask - Chocolate face mask basically! Removes dirt, oil and smooths. Keep repurchasing.

Etat Pur Miceller water - Just about run out of my first bottle, water based cleanser great to use after lotion if I have make up on or wipe over the skin for days I'm not. About £7 for 200ml great value. I'm planning a review soon.

Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment - Best lipbalm ever, little goes a long way and is great for my chapped dry lips - found through another blogger.

 

I'm not tagging anyone however if you give it a go I wouldn't mind being linked up so I can be noisy :)

 

 

The Only MAC Lipstick I Own - Milan Mode

As part of my BTEC I have to do design briefs - this is one of them. The brief was to have pale skin, using tones of brown for the eyes, slight pink blush and  pink lipstick. I had to put photos together showing each stage of the look altogether, as well as creating a treatment plan, design, and final evaluation.

I love this look, it's the first time in along time that I've looked at photos of myself and just thought wow. I'm not normally a person who feels comfortable within my skin, but as this course has gone on I feel I've gained confidence to show off my work better.

Anyway onto the lipstick, as this says in the title this is the only MAC lipstick I own. Amongst beauty bloggers its almost unheard of, especially as it is an not very well known colour. This is part of the Luste range, a bright blue toned pink with lots of shimmer. I got this when I was working for Estee Lauder (as MAC is owned by them) from the staff shop and have worn this in Ibiza dressed as a school girl (twice!).

Still available at MAC Cosmetics for £14.00

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A little side note, Collections Halloween Competition finished today and I wasn't the winner (The winner got 200 + against my 25). Thank you to everyone who 'liked' me and voted. You can check out the winners blog here 

Bloggers Block and Solving it with a Q&A

This weekend I've drawn a blank, which has never happened. I am sure it happens to most bloggers that you just cannot get inspired to find something to talk about. I am currently in the middle of trailing some new products out like Avon's new skincare treatment, Purity skincare, and some fantastic Montenge Jessense products (including a lip balm!). At the end of the month I am also going to Olympia Beauty, a beauty trade show to browse what is coming up over the AW season as well as anything I want to add my collection.

I spotted the below on one of the blogs (Mymaneblog) I follow who is also one of the #bbloggers who works tireless to make sure that everything is run as fairly as possible for our twitter chats on a Wed/Sun night at 8pm. It also provides a few answers on a few basics about my own skincare and make up routines which you will hopefully find useful.

I do also want to take this time to say hello to readers and say thank you for the comments I have had over the weekend (I will replying over the next week to you all).

Skincare

Q: How many times do you wash your face daily?
A: If I'm not wearing make up I just use a foaming face wash, or I cleanse the make off and then give it a wash if feel I haven't got that 'clean' feel.

Q: What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
A: The traditional T-zone over the head, nose and chin. Now I'm getting older it's starting to change that need to give it a bit more TLC on the drier parts

Q: What is your current facial wash?
A: Love Your Skin Rosewood wash - Got this in my LatestinBeauty Editiors Box, love the delicate scent, soft exfoliating action and pump bottle.

Q: Do you exfoliate?
A: I do but not as much as I used to because it used to make my skin inflamed.

Q: What brand do you use?
A: Currently a mixture of Purity, Avon, Boots No.7, whatever I'm trailing out really.

Q: What moisturiser do you use?
A: Currently the Avon treatment with some Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm if my skin needs a boost.

Q: Do you have freckles?
A: Yes, they come out more when I catch the skin, but it's also why I have to be careful with the sunscreen.

Q: Do you use eye cream?
A: No, I don't really just because I don't have any. My favourite has been Estee Lauders Advance Night Repair, you need the smallest amount but it's light and does what it says.

Q: Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
A: Not as bad as when I was a teen but I still get them, epically on the days I really don't need them!

 

Make Up

 

 

Q: What foundation do you use?
A: Currently MUA BB Cream

Q: How about concealer?
A: I use YSL's Touche Eclat and Estee Lauder's Disappear as mentioned here

Q: Do you know your undertone colour?
A: Olive, but often get mistaken for more of English rose pink.

Q: What do you think of fake eyelashes?
A: Nothing wrong with them at all! Worn them when on special occasions and when the lashes are the focus of the look.

Q: Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
A: Yes of course, my maximum is 6 months of usage before it goes.

Q: What brand of mascara do you use?
A: Max Factor Masterpiece in black brown, still love 2000 Calories as well.

Q: Boots or Superdrug?
A: Being a former Boots girl it'll have to be Boots, but Superdrug because I love MUA Cosmetics and it's exclusive there

Q: What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
A: Can't live without my brushes and clean fingers to finish off.

Q: Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
A: A bit of concealer and powder before eyeshadow still works for me.

Q: For the face?
A: However my face still needs a helping hand, just finishing Benefits Porefessional.

Q: What is your favourite eyeshadow (colour or shade)?
A: Was Estee Lauder's Tea Biscuit, best base shadow ever! Need to find a replacement.

Q: Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
A: Pencil for day then liquid for night

Q: How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
A: Not as much as I used to!

Q: Do you use mineral makeup?
A: Great for day wear and sensitive skins. They're now coming on leaps and bounds, might be my next investment, so any recommendations will be great.

Q: What is your favourite lipstick?
A: Red - Always on the look for a new red lippie, a girl can never ever have enough red lip!

Q: How about lipgloss?
A: Juicy Tubes, I have tubes that seem to be going on for years. Melon is the perfect all rounder colour.

Q: What is your favourite blush to use?
A: I fall in and out of love with blusher, still trying to find the 'one'

Q: Do you buy your makeup on eBay?
A: Nail varnish yes (See Here), other stuff - not really not without knowing what I'm buying.

Q: Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
A: Currently doing my BTEC in Make Up Artistry so yes I may have.

Q: Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
A: No I did at first, the brush used to shake in my hands when I did my first customer.

Q: Name a makeup crime that you hate?
A: Any foundation too dark or too light, there are no excuses for it anymore.

Q: Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
A: Neutral eyes but a bright lip, I'm still trying to embrace colour on eyes without looking like a drag queen.

Q: If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?
A: Lip balm, I have loads because my lips dry out and get flaky without it.

Q: Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
A: Yes I do. See below: Scotland April 2012

Q: Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
A: I like to think I look OK, it's not the end of the world. I try look after my skin so even without make up it still looks the best it can.

Q: In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
A: I will always hold a soft spot for Estee Lauder as I worked for them a long time and they gave me my first job in cosmetics. Other than that Bourjois just make the cutest packaging and colours, while Urban Decay are just fun and funky.

Q: What do you think of Makeup?
A: I've found that I've made friends just by talking nail varnish or lipstick. We want the same thing: To be the best that we can be. There are some women who are just stunning, but who hide underneath a mask because they lack the confidence. I really wish they knew how stunning they really are.

My BTEC in Make Up Artistry Course

Currently being a Beauty Swot!

As you can tell this week that blog enteries are a little thin on the ground, for those who don't know I am currently studying for my BTEC Level 2 Intermediate Certificate Make Up Artist. After many years of doing it in a sales environment, I decided to put what I've learnt into a bit of paper to confirm that I can do it.

I enrolled with ICS Distance Learning, the great advantage of this is that I can fit in around the times I'm working as well as finish quicker than the year you are given to complete. It does however require a lot of will power to do sometimes, the literature says that you should allocate 3 hours a week to complete. I have been lazy and haven't done some for a few months, however my life is now settled down enough that I can do my first practical piece this weekend (now I have the funds to buy the last pieces of equipment but also having a functioning hand after hurting myself a few weeks back).

The course is split into four assessments:

1. Personal and Career Development as well as legal requirements
2. Preparing skin for Make Up treatment
3. Demonstrating a range of make up designs
4. Demonstrating a range of make up designs for catwalk, special effects and occasions.

You do get supplied with some items for use like a textbook, skin care pack, disposable items, etc. Make up you need to purchase yourself, I have been building a kit over the years and it's not even close to being finished yet! Each practical assessment needs to be provided with photographic evidence of every stage, so you will need to be prepared for a model as well as photographer will you work.

It is a great course, as I have said that it suits my work times and when I want to do more it has that flexibility. I think I have found it easier with my background in already working as a artist for Estee Lauder, as a beginner I would of found it much harder to do as a lot of it is from textbooks (your tutor is at the end of a email). The course fee itself is £557 at the moment, and I pay mine monthly at around £60 for 9 months, there is also a £58.50 fee to pay to the assessment board on starting. If you want to read more then try the ICS Distance website

If all goes well I can post some of the pictures of evidence so you can see what I am doing next week.

This post was not sponsored, I just wanted to write about my course in case someone was thinking about it.