Happy New Year everyone! I realise this blog hasn't been touched in a while, so I'm going to do a big round-up of my favourite and most frequently used products of the year as a catch-up.

FACE
1. DMK Crème Glacé: This primer is amazing and I only need a tiny dab to cover my whole face! Highly spreadable until it dries to a matte finish, the glacé melts into my skin and easily minimizes large pores. It also tends to slightly lighten the skin, so don't put too much on as it will take a while to set.

2. Ben Nye Total Conceal-All Wheel Nk11: A seriously all-in-one wheel that pretty much covers everything. I mostly use the green for redness (GC-1), yellow for dark circles (MY-3), light beige for lightening under the eyes (NR-1), and pink for brown spots (NT-1). Only a very little amount needs to be used as the product is highly pigmented and can otherwise be too thick.

3. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (#52): Gives light to medium coverage. Best worn at night as it does not contain SPF and will not give you that deathly look in flash photos. It does not look caked on no matter how much I apply, and gives me a dewy finish.

4.  Ben Nye Neutral Set Translucent Powder: Super super fine powder to set my foundation. The perfect finisher to makeup. Also great for touchups to control oil and shine throughout the day. I sprinkle some out on a tissue and use a buffer brush to gently apply.

EYES
1. MAC Paint Pot in Painterly: A fully nude, matte colour that I use as an eyeshadow primer/base. Once dried, it. does. not. budge. :D

2. Max Factor Colour Effects Trio Eye Shadow in Coco Crazy: I use this for work as it is compact and very sheer. The lightest colour is great to dab on the inner corners to brighten up the eyes and as a brow-bone highlighter, while the dark brown gives just a hint of shadow. Colour payoff is a little better when used wet, but I normally just brush it on dry.

3. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Plum Ink: The first time my gf found this, she chased me all over the shop with it to get me to buy, but I preferred black and refused. The next time I visited, I chanced upon it again and decided to try it out. I am now totally in love. Not only is it the one gel liner that's genuinely smudge-proof when dried, it's also waterproof and lasts ALL DAY. No other pencil, gel or liquid liner that I've ever tried comes as close. Despite the name, the colour is a dark brown that I can use to multi-task on both my eyes and brows.

CHEEKS
1. Canmake Cream Blush in #03: The first product ever that I've actually hit pan! That's how much I love and use it. Given to me by a gf who had 2 and did not like it. However, I found the product incredibly blendable and surprisingly sheer.

LIPS
1. EOS Lip Balm Sphere in Summer Fruit: Not only is the packaging totally cute and fun to use, it smells delicious and tastes sweet. Oh, and it keeps my lips super soft and moisturised too.





2. Gorgeous Cosmetics Lipstick in Dreamy: A nude coral-pink lipstick that I can smack on without looking lipless or dead. It works well under almost any tinted gloss.

3. Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss to Go Set: I love every colour in this set, but the ones I use the most has got to be Pink Innocence, Wired Copper, and Star Ruby. They all smell heavenly, are super glossy, and gives a slight colour boost (or alternative tint) to any lipstick.







BRUSHES
When I'm in a rush, I tend to use fingers, but my basic brushes are narrowed down to these:


3. Hakuhodo J527G Powder Brush D (H2982): Best. Buffer. Brush. Ever! The bristles are super fine and super soft. It buffs like a dream and gives me an absolutely flawless finish. Price is horribly steep but I swear it's well worth it as I will now not use any other brush for powder.

Do you find yourself going back to the same items? What products are essential for you? Let me know!

Happy holidays!
xxEva

For the last 2 months, I've dropped everything and put life on hold to cram for my CPA exams end of October. While I may now be a qualified makeup artist, there's still that transition period between juggling a full time job, an escalating career, and professional studies. I don't see why I can't be both a certified accountant and a makeup artist. Who else can answer your tax questions while giving you a makeover, huh? :P

Roundup of news for the last month or so:

IMATS
Flew down to my favourite Australian capital city (Sydney) a week prior to IMATS to catch up with friends, enjoy the night life, and blow my money on pretty things.

Royal & Langnickle brushes. I spent way too much time here. Their selection was quite formidable!

Hakuhodo brushes. They're like my holy grail brushes at the moment. But comes at a steep price!

Plenty of seminars and demos to sit in on. I picked up so many good tips!

Makeup student competition. One of my friends was chosen to participate. We support you, Sami!!! <3

I bought a whole bunch of cosmetics back (mostly brushes), some which I haven't yet opened.

DMK Cosmetics foundation palettes and creme glace primer

Crown and Hakuhodo brushes with Ben Nye loose dust samples and clear makeup bag

Royal & Langnickle eye and face brushes

Super glittery lip glosses. I couldn't choose between the first 3 so bought all of them for $7 each!

CC and I have decided to celebrate after my exams with a ceremonial opening of our Hakuhodo brushes. Yes, they are THAT awesome! And this is prior to even using them. I had plenty of opportunity to play with the products at IMATS and spent 2 hours picking out 6 brushes. Did I also mention they're displayed on a decorated pedestal back home? Well no, but they could have! (You makeup artists will understand this brush love)

MAKEUP WORK
I've recently teamed up with Porcelain Face Makeup Artistry for makeup on weekend weddings, which suits my schedule perfectly right now. It's fantastic experience and Rachel is a great mentor, as well as a brilliant hair and makeup artist in her own right. :) I generally assist in doing makeup for the bridal party (bridemaids, mother-of-the-bride) while Rachel does all the hair styling and puts her focus on the bride.

LIFE AND OTHER THINGS
I had the good fortune to come across some very inspirational people during my recent Sydney trip. They gave me a much needed motivational kick to strive harder for my goals. It's only the start, but getting up an extra 30 to 45 minutes earlier in the morning to have a unrushed breakfast and do my makeup and hair with more care has been uplifting. Not only that, it's been a real confidence boost.

I've actually been watching Lisa Elridge's videos lately (and being blamed for overuse of our internet download quota this month). Specifically, her no-makeup makeup look is absolutely amazing. CC had previously chided me for being a makeup artist who barely wears makeup except on nights out. She's right; if anything, it's keeping up the practice (and appearance). While I've more or less come to terms with my bare face (I mean, I'm kind of stuck with it for life), it's always good to fit in more practice. So while not everyone notices the change, I feel my overall look is now fresher and more alert. 16 days until this become habit-forming! :)

xxEva

Don't mind the box label. I definitely got the Artist Pro!

I've been relying heavily on my Zuca Artist Pro since receiving it as a present from a supportive friend two months ago. There's a sad lack of airline-approved luggage dedicated to makeup, and most of the makeup cases I've see are a tad too big to bring on board. In fact, if you really want to nit-pick, the Zuca is probably a centimetre over the dimension limit for some Australian aircrafts.

In being on tour with the Supanova Pop Culture Expo team as their in-house makeup artist, I've had to travel interstate with my kit. A few criteria for luggage was required:

• It has to be allowed on-board the flight. I hated the thought of powders being broken due to  rough handling, or lipsticks melted in the cargo hold. I don't know what goes on in there, so it's probably better to assume the worse.
• Must be easily carried around during the convention. I hate lugging too much stuff around because it's heavy and I'm prone to leaving things behind. 
• Well organised. The first time I travelled interstate, I chucked all my makeup in zip-lock bags within a normal luggage case. While that worked, it didn't look too professional.

My Zuca fits all my makeup and tools!

What I loved about my Zuca:

• It fits everything! This baby holds a lot more than it looks, with a roomy interior that allows the odd buldge at the sides.
• Multiple pockets. They've designed pockets on any side that was possible to have one.
• The built-in seat! If only it was adjustable. Is that asking too much?
• Clear, zipped pouches. It organises my makeup, stops them from moving around too much, and can be pulled out seperately.

What could be improved on the Zuca:

• If only a few cms could be shaved on each dimension, it wouldn't be a struggled to fit in on airline overhead storages. I had to store my Zuca lengthways as the sloping overhead doesn't accept it in any other position.
• Weight. With a carryon baggage limit of 7kgs, an empty Zuca already measures in at around 4kg. I've had to pull a few pockets out and discretely cram them into my shoulderbag as airline staff insists on measuring the Zuca on every flight due to it being a 'hardcase'. Most of the weight is due to the metal frame, which is there to hold up the built-in seat. However, I'd rather not have the seat in exchange for a lighter soft case.
• Prone to tipping when going over bumps and down ledges. I've found the Zuca is prone to twisting and tipping to the side due to the narrow width between wheels. If the wheels and handles were installed on the longer width (the way most suitcases are), this might help to stablise it.
• Adjustable handle height. Not sure if it's just me and my short arms, but I'd prefer if the handles could be secured at certain lengths, rather than having to extend all the way.

Zuca Artist Pro comes with 4 pouches. But I only use 4: For bases, lips, and eye makeup, plus one for misc tools.

My Zuca can currently hold all my makeup and I carry a large tote for my hair kit, which covers everything I need for a job. While I do recommend the Zuca, it isn't perfect. I find it's more suited to transporting my kit locally, than as airline luggage.

Other tips to consider if you're planning on getting a Zuca:

• Never use it as check-in baggage unless there's nothing breakable in there. The soft sides of the Zuca means things inside can get knocked around. Plus there's the possiblity of scratches and damage to the metal frame.
• Get a silver frame Zuca instead of a coloured frame. I bought a black framed Zuca, only to get the underside badly scratched going over a high ledge.  :( The paint came off to reveal the very obvious silver metal underneath.

*** Unless otherwise stated, all products are bought with my own funds and I am not affiliated with any mentioned brands or sellers. Reviews are 100% of my own opinion and experiences. ***

xxEva

Announcement time!!!

After 6 solid months of long nights, no social life, juggling of work and studies, as well as the usual sweat, blood and tears (well, I did do special effects!), I'm absolutely esctatic to annouce that I am now a diploma qualified, fully fledged makeup artist! Boo-ya!

I would like to thank all those who supported me through this last half year, offering their faces, time, and encouragement as I persued my passion. Big thanks to my trainers at the Academy of Makeup, who while shared their knowledge and experiences, provided me with the inspiration and motivation to pass all my assessments and make a start in the industry. Your threats worked well.

Special thanks goes to my models:  Chichi, Lydia, Annie, Sabrina, Silvia, Sheree, Jojo, Maz, Tash, Kathy, Sharmane, Angie, Caroline, Fu, Ed, Rai, Rhys, and my wonderful siblings (who agreed to be models without too much begging). I appreciated the time and patience you offered, as well as the opportunity to get way too accquainted with your faces. I think we've just stepped up to the next stage in our relationship. My apologies if I've left out naming anyone. Your precence was appreciated and I wouldn't have passed my course without you!

Finally, much love and thanks goes to my brilliant fellow student makeup artists. We've been through so much together in the last few months and it was hard to hold tears back as we left the building for the last time. I hope you guys succeed out there and that we keep in touch. Even though you're all competition, you're still all my friends. There will be times when we'll have to call on each other to tackle the big jobs! So if anyone lands on the next big Hollywood film set, you have my number. :)

The exprience has been absolutely amazing at the Academy of Makeup and I will not hesitate to point all aspiring makeup artists down Burnett Lane's dark alleyway.

xxEva

Drag makeup

Surprisingly, I was easily able to find a model for this session and more than a few boys were up for it. I'm guessing guys must have some sort of curiousity with being in drag. It's usually so taboo, right? But looking beyond the prejudice and stereotype, you'll realise there are some guys out there with incredible makeup skills!

So the focus of the makeup seems to be lavish colours and OTT everything. Not only is it trying to smooth out masculine features, but also to keep it glamourous and beautiful. For those being in drag often, the guys would generally be clean shaven with no eyebrows. This makes it easier to draw false brows on.

As it wasn't recommended to shave my model's eyebrows, I had to block them out with wax before drawing them back in at a higher position. Why higher? This gives the illusion of more space under the brows, as per feminine features.

Glamour and socket eye technquies are perfect for drag looks. I kinda did a combination; defining a socket and blending out the corners. Bright blue eyeshadow was packed on under glitter, with plenty of shimmer on the 'brownbone' and top and bottom false lashes. That's the other thing about drag makeup: they love glitter, love shimmer, and love big false lashes.

It really helped that my model had softer features and not much facial hair. So much easier to work with! Finally, I added a wig and his transformation into a glamourous drag queen was complete!

xxEva