Soleil

Soleil Tan De Chanel is a weightless cream and almost a whipped mousse type bronzing product. It blends into skin effortlessly and diffuses easily for a sheer finish with a hint of colour, a slight shimmer and a silk finish all over. Soleil works wonderfully for light contouring as well as all over bronzing. It is defiantly not a heavy or dark in tone, it does warms to the skin so comes across very subtle in giving you a natural bronze-sun kissed tone. It looks a lot more of a deep tone bronze in its packaging, but once it is on the skin, it's very sheer, not muddy/dirty like other bronzers at all, almost milk chocolate in colour. It does make you look naturally bronzed rather than a fake-tan look.

 It applies and blends beautifully, so you can control exactly where you want the colour to go which is why is so wonderful for contouring and the best part is that is never gets cakey or clumpy, it also contains little gold light reflectors which has an amazing way of leaving your skin looking luminous but no overly shinny, the colour is medium but buildable if you wanted a deeper tone. I would recommend Soleil Tan de Chanel is suitable for light to medium skin tones but do think it is a little cool for warmer skin tone and defiantly have to work with it to a build colour. 

Packaging is of the typical chic Chanel style twist open frosted jar with the ever famous interlinking double "C" trademark on the lid but this time in a gorgeous gold - not the usual white and if you’re like me and a complete sucker for packing me you won’t be able to resist and be bedazzled by it.

Bourjois Bronze Primer has a similar texture but a lot more moussey and I think that may well be a good dupe, so if you don't fancying splashing the GBP31.00 price tag of the Chanel version however the colour is a little deeper and more orange based rather than yellow like the Soliel so you may end up with a heavier tone as well as a more of a fake tan look and here a little bit in random information for you Bourjois are actually owned by Chanel so you do often find similar products between the two but there defiantly is a difference in pro-long where.

Soleil Tan de Chanel so amazing to wear, application of just a small amount will definitely take you long way and throughout the day, this wears for close to 8 hours on my combination skin when worn as a contour base.

In this look I went over with NARS Laguna powder bronzer on top to achieve a heavier contoured look for evening kind of look

Well I think I have covered everything with this little bad boy – defiantly a little gem for that make-up bag! Let me know what you think

Big Kisses x

Oh so Chanel!

Chanel's new Vitalumiere Loose Powder foundation is a breath of fresh air on the skin glides on so softly and blending in immaculately into the skin. This product is both foundation and setting powder giving great effect of flawless skin, full coverage and pro long wear! It comes with an amazing mini kabuki which is made of synthetic bristles and feels very dense and soft, but I would say it would take you forever if you were applying to your whole face, so I would use a regular large face kabuki for application. The packaging it classic Chanel and the design is user-friendly as you can press the brush into the mesh to get the powder to avoid the mess or normal powders make. The great thing about this is although it is a powder it covers like foundation without the cakeness or thickness with super amazing coverage. It also contains SPF 15 which is great to help keep those UV rays at bay and keeping skin healthy.

All the reviews where all storming and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it when it was released this month - I'm glad to say that I purchased this product, it is so so so so amazing at GBP55.00 it is steep for a foundation but it is worth every penny it, I justified it as it works as both a foundation and a finishing powder – it is everything I have been waiting for!!! I have combination skin so keeping to a powder works so amazingly with my skin. It helps even out the skin tone giving an amazing flawless complexion.

Vitalumiere foundation applies on so smoothly and is silk to the touch, it leaves the skin feeling and looking incredibly fresh. It is also great for oily skin types taking the edge off the shine. The powder itself is light and feels slightly moist and smells incredible, overall I looooooove this foundation as it gives you a flawless airbrushed look - just like the ladies in the magazines. The vitalumiere comes in 5 amazing beige (yellow based) shades – swatches are as below

I love the way Chanel have an incredible way of when adding a product to their range, making sure it's a product worthwhile, becoming a timeless piece and this is defiantly it! I would highly recommend if you're looking for an all in one for oily or combo skin types, the only part I can fault is the price that comes with but I guess that's all things Chanel 

Until next time – Stay beautiful

Asma x

Brushes are a girl's best friend

Most people say it's not the tools, it's the craftsman.......well I don't think that actually applies to make up artists or make up application in general. Good-quality brushes will make budget products go on like silk and allow drug store products to pass for Chanel or Givenchy. They're like your best friends, the ones you can't live without, once you find your prefect ones, you could never be without them - until they discontinue them and your life's over but you'll eventually find a replacement (it's still never the same thou!). Anyhowwww whether you choose real hair or synthetic brushes neither which actually make a difference and people who tell you they do are probably getting paid to tell you so! Having the right brushes help you to achieve that perfect flawless look which we all aim so hard for. I am currently using a mixture of real hair brushes – NARS & Sarah Artistry and synthetic brushes Sigma, Real-techniques, Illamasqua & Coastal scents, personally I prefer natural haired brushes as they are ultra soft and carry less bacteria, however I do currently have a mixture in my kit.

Kit/Make bag essential brushes would be foundation, powder, blusher, eye shadows - fluff for blending & flat tapered for the lid, liner, slanted brow, flat concealer & especially if you're a make-up artist lip brush, I don't really like using beauty blenders as sponges harbour lots and lots of bacteria particularly when made wet, this often causes spots and breakouts, if you do like the sponge finish then use disposables - you can get pointed sponge applicators (I know boots and Superdrug sell these). Brush hygiene is very important, I clean mine every time after application with warm water and Asda little angels baby shampoo - do not condition, whatever you read or view about doing this - you'll over-soften the bristles, losing precision and also for natural haired brushes a lot of the hairs. Before your brushes are dry reshape before lying flat on a clean & sterile towel to naturally dry. It is so important to keep good hygiene with beauty products but that's a whole other blog for another time :)

Most of those small brushes or sponge applicators that come with make-up they are absolutely useless and often you waste a lot of product in application most of it ending up on the rest of you!! Shop for separate make-up tools or special kits such my Sarah Artistry brush belt (from Sarah Artistry) When I first started using these brushes I instantly found blending & application became so much easier, each stroke glided so softly but very so precisely onto the skin, I also found you need less product then what I was using before with my Coastal Scents brushes, Clients instantly started commenting & complementing on how soft the brushes where against the skin and much faster application was becoming. 

You can also buy from several different brands that specialises in brushes but be prepared to invest, tools are not cheap but don't be fooled by overpriced brushes either, Budget brushes are rarely properly weighted, giving you less control and the bristles are often flat-edged rather than domed, making blending impossible, there is only 1 exception I can think of that that is Crown Brushes, there brushes are amazing as well as having a brush range for every budget.

Research, go out there and play, round its fun but you get to find out which brushes are best for you - never rely on someone's else's opinion, what's best for them is not always what is best for you. Here is a few of my fav's in my kit at the moment

NARS ITA Brush - GBP 35.58

This brush is amazing for contouring, its handle is made of rubber for keeping grip isn't going to be a problem for chiselling out those cheek bones & jaw-line, the brush is light and so soft, the rectangle head allows absolute precision that it's impossible to make a mistake with this brush, giving you beautiful
defined cheeks and jawline. It does come with a hefty price tag but trust me girls this one’s an investment

Illamasqua Highlighter Brush - GBP24.50

ITS SOOOOOO FLUFFFFFFY!!!!! I adore this brush, It's incredibly soft and it is perfect for precisely placing highlight, buffing in foundation and blending it all in together, the brush head its self it quite small so some of you may prefer his sister Illamasqua Blush Brush. You must be careful washing this brush as it shreds very easily - be gentle with this bad boy

Sarah Artistry 20 pcs Brush Belt - GBP250.00

This collection of brushes are amazing each brush is carefully made and designed down to a T, the brushes themselves are ultra soft and perfectly designed for precision helping to create a flawless finish. I seriously cannot say enough about these brushes words do not do them justice. The best thing about this incredible set is it comes with a gorgeous leather belt which comes in extra handy when you’re working as artist.

As a special offer to all of my readers, Sarah Artistry is offering the full set for GBP150.00, please contact Sarah Artistry for more information Email: info@sarahartistry.com

Brush away beauties and remember brushes are your best friends - treat them well and they give you great results and support you all the way :)

With Love Asma x

A little piece of me

Well let’s start off a little about me I am 28 years old, I have 7 sisters – no brothers! (yes I am one of 8) my sisters & mum have always been my biggest inspiration in life they have always supported me and nurtured me to be the best I can be – who needs friends when you have 7 siblings!!! my full time occupation is a Business Travel Consultant but I am now a part time freelance Hair & Makeup artist – a lifelong passion and ambition, which I put off pursuing for years but finally had the courage fulfil this little dream of mine. Inspiration to start blogging came from my Make-up teacher Sarah, from Sarah Artistry she really gave me that confidence in myself, as well as an artist of all things glamorous.  She saw the huge range of products I own, and was astoundied at the knowledge I had behind them all, Sarah planted a little seed in my head about becoming a blogger and I guess it just grew from there.

I have been professionally trained through Sarah Artistry with a Level 2 NVQ in makeup artistry with an added hair course, I’m glad I took the route to be academically trained instead of some Joe Blogs course mostly because I learnt a lot about the anatomy and physiology behind skin and how makeup application effects you, your kit and your clients well-being. I gained a professional NVQ award something which most academies are unable to offer.

So what inspired me to take on a career in artistry, I LOVE MAKE-UP and all things beauty – all the lotions and potions, colours and pigments I’m a complete sucker for it!!! From a young age I use to love watching my older sisters apply their daily routines, now I’m a 80’s kid so back then they had it all the bright eye shadow palettes, lip liners & lipsticks – the stacked combo palettes (remember those!!!) I found it all so fascinating watching all the colours and products being applied, I must admit they did kick my butt when they found me playing round in there makeup and hair styler’s hehehe. 

I believe we are all gifted in our own way and hair and make-up is a way of enhancing our natural features, giving us that little bit of confidence in that lipstick jungle that is out there. 

My favourite brands are Illamasqua, NARS, Guerlian, Chanel, Milani, Gerard Cosmetics, Coastal Scents, Inglot, Rimmel, Bourjois, GOSH, Ben Nye, Sleek, Sigma, GHD, Crown & Sarah Artistry Cosmetics – they offer the best pigmented and pro long wear products around, also you tend to get a lot more product for your money and whether its High end or drug store brands I love to play round with them all. Most of you are probably thinking I have missed a few well sort after brands, well I do not support brands which support the occupation of Palestine and support the killing of innocent women & children love me or hate me for it but I supported the freedom of the Palestine’s from a young age, this is my own view and if you support these brands then that’s great for you,  I have always stood for Freedom, Justice & Equality  – it’s not about what religion, skin tone or culture it’s about being human and knowing that racism in any form is just wrong FULL STOP J

So this is me Asma and I hope you enjoy reading.

Born to be glamorous, over and out!

Asma x