The Brits 2015

Hey guy’s!

So last night was the much anticipated Brit Awards 2015. I must say I absolutely loved this years Brits and thought Ant & Dec did the most amazing job presenting. They didn’t hold back when it came to the sarcastic comments on other artists, banter and interviews with the tipsy celebs . The whole ceremony was much more lighthearted and enjoyable as a result. While watching you just felt like everyone there were friends which was a great vibe.

The style was amazing at this years awards. My favorite’s were Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding and Taylor Swift.

All three ladies were rocking long , sophisticated gowns and looked unbelievable.

Rita Ora arriving at the Brit Awards 2015.

Rita Ora

Wearing a fabulous gold and silver plunge neck gown by Zuhair Murad. She combines elegance and sexy in one with this fabulous choice. Rita Ora is looking hotter than ever this year, days before she was sporting a risqué sheer Donna Karan dress that left little to the imagination. She’s definitely one to watch for 2015!

Ellie Goulding at the Brit Awards 2015.

Ellie Goulding

Wearing a gorgeous summery white Alberta Ferretii gown with a sheer plunge neck. Ellie looks classy, elegant and pretty in this gorgeous number. Although Louis Hamilton nervously suggested Ellie looked like she was going to a wedding, I certainly don’t think she looked that way. In fact I think that pale pastels and white should be celebrated this spring as the beginning of the new season emerges.

Taylor Swift arriving at the Brit Awards 2015. Wearing a beautiful Roberto Cavali gown.

Taylor Swift

Wearing a jaw-dropping black & red floor-length Roberto Cavali gown Taylor looked stunning as usual. She pulls this look off so well combined with her signature red lip! I adore this look so much , the trail  had a dragon design up along the back of it which sealed the look perfectly.

As for the men of the night they were looking equally as fab! Sam Smith was my personal favorite, he was wearing a gorgeous blue Casely-Hayford suit as he arrived and looked handsome as ever

Sam Smith arriving at the 2015 Brit Awards

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Sam Smith signing ‘Lay Me Down’ at the Brit Awards 2015.

Performances

Favorite’s Of The Night:

As performances go this years Brit Awards were phenomenal! From Ed Sheeran to Madonna , it was a top-notch night.

My personal favorite performance of the night had to have been between Sam Smith and Paloma Faith. I simply can’t put a number one winner to this one. Sam’s voice was seducing and captivating while Paloma’s was hypnotizing and had an almost eerie feel. Sam Smith performed his song ‘Lay Me down’ while Paloma Faith sang ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’.

Paloma Faith singing ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ at the Brit Awards 2015.

Paloma Faith also touched heart strings by shedding tears at her win of ‘Best British Female’. She was so touched by the award after her hard work over the last 14 years. Its her first ever Brit Award, which completely baffles me as she is an amazing, unique artist with so much soul and depth. The emotional and heart warming acceptance speech confirmed for me once again why I love her so much.

Least Favorite Of The Night:

My least favorite had to have been Kanye West’s performance. For me I just didn’t get it. There was what I could only describe as a gang like group on the stage shouting, cursing and blasting fire into the air. Perhaps the performance may have been better if the audio did not cut out every time Kanye swore but personally I wasn’t feeling it at all.

Kanye West performing ‘All Day’ at the Brits 2015.

Madonna falling down the stage after a wardrobe malfunction.

Madonna’s performance was another one to watch! Everyone was anticipating her return to the Brits after more than two decades. In everyone’s mind Madonna could do no wrong with years of industry experience behind her. However we all cringed when a wardrobe malfunction occurred and she was pulled back of the steps on the stage to the ground. She landed on her back and hip with a thud as all of us watched on to see if she’d recover. Like the pro she is, she got up and carried on, ironic as the lyrics in the song stated just that! Her song ‘Living For Love’ could not have been more suitable to this stage accident as she received the love from the public on this unlucky moment. Twitter took out with love and best wishes as well as worries and concerns for the singers hip. Thankfully all seems to be well with the superstar as she posted on instagram later that night.

‘

Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I’m fine! ❤️#livingforlove

Overall the Brits 2015 were a complete success, creating media attention, social networking frenzies and viewers tuning in all over the world to watch this fabulous event. One Direction sealed the night by winning best video of the year award and Simon Cowell was more than happy to collect it for the boys. I was at the edge of my seat for most of this years awards, with the best lineup of artists yet, all up for the same award. I can’t wait until next years Brits, I’m sure there’ll be even more to come!

Thanks for dropping by, i’d love to hear from you. Let me know your opinions and views on last nights show!

Emphasise Green Eyes ❤️

Hey guys!

So today I decided to emphasise my green eyes and make them a darker more emerald like green shade .

For this look I just went ahead with my everyday foundation routine and then moved on to the exciting part!

Products:

1. Naked 3 palette – shades nooner, blackout and limit.
2. Fuschia palette- a neutral base colour (any will do).
3. Mascara (again any)
4. Eyeliner – gel (Fuschia gel pot), shade – chocolate brown.
5. Eyeliner – (tight line & water line) Mac kohl – feline
6. Fake eyelahes – (optional)

Application:

1. So I started of applying the base shade to my eyes with a fluffy blending brush. I took this shade all the way up to the eyebrow.
2. Next I applied limit -naked 3 palette all over the eye, except the very inner corner as I wanted to keep that area light and bright.
3. I then took my angled application brush along with nooner – naked 3 palette. I applied this just above my crease.
4. I then blended this out with a fluffy dome shaped brush.
5. I then took blackout – naked 3 palette on another application brush. This I applied in the very inner crease.
6. I blended that out with the same dome shaped brush.
7. I then applied gel eyeliner to the upper lash line. I applied pencil liner to the tight line and water line.
8. I completed this look with mascara. I used NYC jumbo lashes mascara .
9. For a night out or extra glam you could add fake eyelashes, I left it without any as it was a daytime look. 

Hope you enjoyed this look and I’d love to hear from you 🙂 

 

Threading ❤️

Hey there,

So recently I done a threading course in Portabello Institute in Dublin. It was a one day course and in it I learned both the mouth technique and the hands technique. I completely fell in love with threading from that day onwards. It’s so easy and leaves the area perfect!! 

You can even use any kind of string you have lying around the house, although my advice would be to use the professional string used for threading which would be ‘Vanity threading thread’. You can buy this from your local Sally’s for as cheap as £2.69. Can you imagine what an amazing benefit this price would be to you in comparison to the price of wax, wax strips and spatulas? It literally doesn’t even compare. 



The technique is so-so. It’s all about the practice. I mean I felt confident enough to take the scruff of someone’s eyebrows after the course but I wasn’t ready for a re-shape there and then. Like everything it takes lots and lots of practice.I did however take a whirl at doing my own eyebrows and they turned out pretty good. 



I’ll also attach a photo of my arm which was practised on for most of the day. There’s a noticeable difference let me just say that haha.



Look at how different the amount of hair on my arm is . It’s crazy. And yes it is somewhat embarrassing to have an arm half bald and the other gorilla like – I’ve waxed them since. My favourite technique to use was the mouth technique, I just prefer it as I’m one of those people who can’t move both hands at the same time haha. So overall I’m extremely happy with threading. It’s definitely a skill worth looking into if your in the beauty world already and extremely beneficial!!

Clinique Superbalanced Foundation Review !

Hey guys !

So in this post I will be reviewing my latest foundation. I decided to wait a few months to review this product, until the bottle was completely finished and I could give you all the best review possible on it.

 

How Long It Lasts –

I bought this foundation on the 14th of December and it is now February 14th so it lasted me 3 months exactly. To be completely honest I would have expected it to last a little bit longer as most of my other foundations have lasted 4 months onwards. I did however use this foundation a hell of a lot so three months for most days wear isn’t too bad. 

As for lasting power on the skin, I found this foundation to be fabulous with the Clinique setting powder! Its a very light feeling foundation, so automatically I was a bit apprehensive as to whether it would be suitable for me as I’m so used to wearing heavier foundations. When using setting powder it lasts all day, however when you wear it alone it does not.

 

Price Range –

I bought this foundation for €21.00 on sale in Debenhams back in December, however the retail price in most stores including Brown Thomas is €32.00.

My Opinion –

I absolutely loved this foundation for an everyday makeup , I forgot I was wearing any foundation because of the light-weight feel. It left my skin in amazing condition and my skin was always soft and subtle.

This foundation does not contain an SPF so when I wore it in photographs the light did not reflect leaving me with a big white face, complete winner in my opinion.

I am used to wearing a heavier foundation and my go-to would be Makeup Forever’s HD foundation but I was shocked at how much I feel in love with this foundation. It gave me the confidence to ease into wearing a light almost skin like foundation. It left my skin feeling like a baby’s-toosh and it completely balanced out my skin. It gave my dehydrated areas moisture, evened out my complexion and didn’t leave my skin with excess oil on the T-Zone area.

Overall I am very impressed with this foundation, if you’re looking for a natural look, day makeup or a go-to foundation then Clinique Superbalanced is definitely worth a try. Pair it with Clinique’s loose powder and you have the start of a perfect base.

Dramatic Eyes ♥

Some of us lady’s love big smokey dramatic eyes for parties, nights out or fancy dress. Its not everyones cup of tea, and wouldnt be my regular choice of makeup but it definitely looks fab for some occasions. My models pulled these looks of amazingly and all look superb! 

On my first model I used cranberry and black eye-shadow on the upper and lower lid. I went in heavy with gel eyeliner and used heavy contouring and highlighting.

Her lips were also super defined, I took my inspiration from Kylie Jenner. Who doesn’t these days? My models choker and school uniform just emphasized the look, so rocker and grungey ! 

On my next model I used burnt orange and black colour’s along with a hint of brown. Again I used the same method on this model. Heavy contour, heavy smoke and big lips. 

For this model I took a before and after photo to show the dramatic change….

Finally I done a lighter smoky eye on my last model, only bringing dark brown to the top of the lid and not underneath. This is her gorgeous before and after. Extra heavy contour and highlight on this model.

Product Listings:

1. Foundation (all models) – Makeup Forever Hd Foundation
2. Contour and highlight Cream (all models) – Crown Brushes contouring palette available at http://www.crownbrush.ie
3. Contour Powder (all models) – Sleek makeup contour palette in medium available at http://www.sleekmakeup.com
4. Brow (all models) – Gosh cosmetics brow palette available in most local pharmacys suppling Gosh cosmetics or at http://www.goshcosmetics.com
5. Eyeshadows (all models) – Inglot cosmetics available at http://www.inglot.ie or in Blanchardstown shopping centre Dublin/ St Anne St dublin city centre.
6. Eyeliner (all models) – gell eyeliner by Fuschia available at http://www.fuschia.ie or in fuschia stores/ pharmacys supplying fuschia.
7. Mascara (all models) – Any , I used rimmel
8. All over face powder (all models)- Clinique face setting powder available in all stores selling clinique products.
9. Blush (all models) – Fuschia blush available at http://www.fuschia.ie or in any stores using fuschia products.
10. Lips (all models) – Inglot lip liner and lipstick found in all Inglot stores and online at http://www.inglot.ie.

Have any of you tried these looks? Id love to hear from you all. 

The Bucket List 2015

The Bucket List For 2015 

 

1. Number one on my bucket list is definitely to grow my hair past my shoulders. I’ve been trying to for years but this year is the first time I think it’s achievable. I’ve stopped dying my hair completely for the first time in fooooevs.

2. Two would be to learn a new skill, I’m thinking yoga/a new language/something practical . The worlds my oyster! 

3. Travel. Travel. Travel.

4. Do one new thing every week. Whether it be reading a new book, going somewhere new or getting my nails done a new colour. Whatevsss.

5. I really really want to go visit Italy this year. Rome possibly!

6. Sort my career goals out…please god let me achieve this.

7. Blog every day, creative juices at the ready.

8. Be active, be healthy, be fit. 

9. Get a summer beach body. This will honestly be the hardest haha

10. Buy a pet of some distinction 

11. Be more spiritual, Id love to learn reki also

12. Be happier.

13. Go for a walk most evenings

14. Learn to drive.

15. Read more. 

And they are my 15 resolutions for 2015. 

Let me know if you have any, or if anything is similar to mine. I’d love to hear from you all.

 

Intense Smokey Eyes ♥

Good Morning Ladies and Gents,

This post is on gorgeous smoked-out eyes. This look is extremely intense and over-the-top much like would be seen in ‘TOWIE’ or ‘Geordie Shore’. I know many girls out there,including myself are obsessed with this type of make-up at the moment and its seen everywhere on social media!

So for this look I began with the eyes first, I applied foundation to the eyes and underneath the eye area, I then applied powder so that when I applied the eye-shadow it wont move or slide.

I then went in with a nude base eye-shadow. For this I used my fuschia palette, taking a matte cream colour. You can use absolutely and cheap shade for this step.

Next I applied a deep-purple shade to the eye,all-over the lid continuing to add more and more depth of colour until it was prominent and made the eyes pop. I then took my undereye brush and applied this same shade under the lash line.I took this colour lower than I usually would for the illusion of bigger eyes and to draw attention to the eye colour.

I blended this shade out -in the shape of the models eye.

Next I took a matte black shade and repeated the previous steps.For this shade I made sure to leave a halo of the purple shade above the black colour. I continued to apply the black shade adding depth of colour and blending the shade into the lash line. I then took my under eye pencil brush with some of the matte black shade and applied it to my lower lash line, this time the black matte shade was closest to my lashes and I also left a Halo of the purple shade to the bottom lash-line. Again this draws attention to the eye colour.

I applied gel eye-liner to the upper lash line and lower lash line.Using my under-eye pencil while this gel was still wet,I blended the gel out to seal the eyes. I then applied this gel eye-liner to the waterline in one quick swoop to prevent discomfort for the model.

Finally I added lashings of mascara to the bottom and top lashes and then I finished the look by applying Ardell Fake Eyelashes.

Above is the finished look 🙂 Hope you enjoyed, don’t forget to like,comment and follow. 

Nicholle-Marie x

Burnt Orange Eyes ♥

Hello hello helloo,

Today’s post is on an extremely flattering Winter trend eye-shadow shade -Burnt Orange. For this look I combined a nude base colour (matte) my Inglot shade 383, and a glittery pigmented eye-shadow with hints of yellow gold through it.

1. I began by taking a matte-nude eye-shadow base from my Fuschia palette. Any shade that is a nude-cream or pale pink/lilac-cream will do. I applied this from my lash line into my brow bone with my sponge-tip eye-shadow brush.
2. I then began to create a cut crease using my Inglot shade 383(Burnt Orange). I used my flat shader brush for this along with my 110 brush from rebel 66 to blend this shade across and outwards. Instead of using tape on the outside corners of the eyes in this look I used the line of Laura’s natural brow-line to create an almond shape,most flattering to her eyes.
3. I blended this colour out using my Sigma E40 Brush and then continued to apply the shade all over the lid using my flat shader brush. Again I blended this into the eyes.
4. For extra depth I repeated these steps once more. This colour is hellllla pigmented so please don’t go all dip happy with this colour. Conjunctivitis isn’t very good looking!
5. Next I took a yellow pigmented sparkle eye-shadow… I repeat YELLOW. If you use any darker shade with this burnt orange you will loose all effect. It needs to contrast not blend ladies and gents.
6. Apply this to the inner corners of the eyes and lower lash line. 
7. Next take an under eye brush-any will do. Apply the burnt orange shade to the lower lash line and blend outwards and inwards towards the inner corner of the eye. Make sure to bring this colour straight across to give the illusion of a longer eye. Its so flattering.
8. Apply liquid or gel liner to the top lash line. Create a small cat flick following the almond shape of the eye and working toward the brow bone.
9. Apply gel liner to the inner waterline. If you want extra dark eyes apply a kohl pencil to the tight-line of the eye.
10. Apply lashings of mascara.
11. I then applied Ardell lashes – ‘Demi Wispies’ . These are my absolute favourite fake eyelashes for special occasions or going out.

1. I then started my normal foundation routine, however this look required extra contouring. 
2. I used a new foundation on this look -Clinique superbalance foundation. Which ill have a review up on as soon as!
3. Read my post on contouring and highlighting for more info. 🙂
4. http://blushinbrownies.com/2014/11/11/contouring-like-a-pro/
5. I finally applied red lip liner and lipstick for gorgeous red lips. Using Seveenteen lipstick and lip liner. Beautiful deep red colour. I highly recommend these products.

This is such a glamorous look,perfect for Christmas and winter as well as any other special event! Thanks for reading and don’t forget to get in touch.

Nicholle-Marie

Cranberry & Smokey Brown Eye Makeup Look .

Hey Guys!

Over the week I went up to Dublin and bought some new makeup goodies, I had to get into Inglot and was in makeup HEAVEN! Inglot honestly has the most amazing pigments EVER.

So anyway this look is based all around my new BEAUTIFUL shades. Hey thuuuur!

For this look I used shades 341, 450 and 329. 

    (shade 341)

   (shade 450)

    (shade 329)

Swatches of these beautiful shades ! 

I started of this look with shade no.341. I packed this shade onto my lid, starting at my lash line and heading up into my eyebrow. This is a perfect matte base colour and goes so so well with the cranberry colour (shade 450 as its rich in pinky pigments)! I packed this shade on using my sponge tip brush from my Rebel 66 makeup brushes. 

Next I took my Sigma flat shader brush and drew a cut crease with the cranberry-450 shade. I then blended this upwards and out using my Sigma E40 fluffy brush. Making sure to BLEND BLEND BLEND.

I then took my Rebel 66 110 brush and applied the dark smokey brown shade-329 into my crease (my inner inner crease not my new crease created by my 450 shade!) and slightly above it, this created a lovely dark look with tons of depth and highlighted the lovely cranberry shade perfectly as a transition shade. I repeated this step three times as I wanted a lot of depth and warmth to the eye.

I then took my Sigma flat shader brush again and re-applied the cranberry shade to the top of the dark smokey-329 shade. Just enough to blend out from the eye, so as the cranberry wouldn’t loose its intensity.

Next I took my pencil shader brush from Sigma and I applied some of the 329 colour and the 450 shade to my lower lash line, blending these shades out and in towards the inner corner of the eye.

I then applied gel eye-liner,using ‘Fuschi’a-gel liner in ‘chocolate’ to my upper lash line  and finished with some mascara.’ (I find chocolate to be the most flattering shade on all eye colours as its not too much and it blends with any eye shadow beautifully! You also don’t come away looking like a complete Vampire ha).

Finally I took my highlight shade ‘Dust’ from my Naked 3 palette and applied it to the brow bone. This is a gorgeous highlighting shade, so flattering and draws attention directly to the eyes.

And voilà a lovely warm wintry eye look filled with colour, vibrancy and most importantly DEPTH.

Thank you Inglot for coming into my life with these AMAZING shades haha.

     

    

  

Thanks for reading, don’t forget to comment and share your experiences!

Nicholle-Marie.

Winter Nails ! ❤️

I’ve been quite busy over the past few days with makeup courses , shopping and work so I haven’t got to post anything up! So here’s a few pictures of winter nails I’ve done recently while I’ve been a busy bee ! They are lovely warm colours for this season ! Completely on trend for Winter 2014 .

 

 

In this first picture above I have used ‘Harmony Gelish’ gel polish, in the shade ‘My forbidden Love’ on every finger bar the ring finger and the shade ‘Welcome to the Masquerade’ on these two fingers left over .

 

In the second photo above I have used the shade ‘Tan’ on every finger bar the ring finger and the shade ‘Life of the party’ in the Trends collection on the remaining two fingers by Harmony Gelish .

 

 

 

 

 

In this final photo I have again used ‘My Forbidden Love ‘ all over 🙂

Dont forget to get in touch !

Nicholle-Marie