The new Do

If you have been following me either here for a while or on my old blog you would have seen a few hair changes during that time. I was mostly dark with some blond highlights and a short modern cut to start with. this got lighter and lighter as time went on.

very dark bob 

It went from this to this ....

similar cut but so very blonde 

Then it went ....

funky short cut and very red

Since this cut I had been very bad and had let it grow out I was keeping up the red but the cut went to hell in a hand basket. 

It had got to the point of a bob ( uneven ) and I had to bite the bullet and either go back to the funky short cut or embrace the length.

I chose the latter enter the new and if I do say so myself fabulous long locks.

Lots of extensions were added kept the red

I decided if I was going to stay long it was going to be really long. I headed to a fantastic local salon Your serenity  and had the wonderful Gina add a full head of extensions for me and re cut my fringe. 

I have some much hair it is super thick and I have a lot of it so Gina ended up putting another half head of extensions in through the front. And I couldn't be happier. 

The back 

I want to give a big thank you to Gina and the team at Your Serenity not only for my new long locks but for taking such good care of me and washing and blow drying my hair each week while my arm is broken, I couldn't do it with out you.

What do you all think??? what do is your favourite???

I have been so naughty

As some of you may know I have broken my arm and have not been able to work of late so I decided a spending ban was a given until I could get back to work.
But alas I lasted about 10 days before my very bored and house bound fingers started trawling the interwebs.
I stumbled on over to All cosmetics Wholesale  and picked myself up a little MAC to make myself feel better ( It totally worked ).

The items I picked up were mostly re- purchases of items I usually have in my kit. Such as blot powder in light and dark. Black track fluid line ( my favourite gel eyeliner of all time). A single eye shadow pan in seedy pearl, a single pan eye shadow in perky, mineralize sheensheen powder in lucent and a sample of chartreuse pigment.

What have you picked up lately? If you would like me to review any of these products just let me know xx

How to - depot eye shadows and other powders

Hi folks hope you are well. If you read my post yesterday you would know I was on a quest to organise my single eye shadows and powder compacts that were either lurking in the depths of my draws or weighing down my kit like no body's business.
This is what I am talking about .....

That's a lot of bulky product to carry about 

I will walk you through the de-poting process I used along with pictures, here we go ...

Using something with a pointy end pry the plastic insert out of the compact, I used a steak knife as it was strong and had a tip, not super safe so be very careful.

This is what you have once you have levered the insert out, the metal pan with filled with product inside the plastic insert.

 Next using a hair straightener and some grease proof paper place the insert onto the metal plate of the hot straightener depending on how hot your straightener is will deem how long it will need to be heated for. For me it was aprox 1 minute the use the knife or other pointy object to push from the bottom of the insert to remove the metal pan. ( I forgot to take a photo of this step sorry ) 

When hot enough the plastic and glue holding the pan in will melt making it easy to pop the pan out. 

All that is needed now is a small magnetic sticker popped on the bottom so the pan sticks into the pallet.

Like so - 

All my depoted products in either MAC or Z Palettes 

I hope you have found this helpful if you would like further information or help just let me know xx

I have a plan

Hi all, my plan is not a wicked one (this time).  I have so many, either limited edition or the baked single eye shadows laying around in my makeup table, that never see the light of day for no other reason than they are out of sight out of mind. Hence my plan to depot them and put them all together in a palette.

I have a similar issue with all my MAC mineralised skin finishes and beauty powders etc, which all are to high (domed) to fit into standard palettes.

Enter stage right the Z dome palette......

I picked up two of these little beauties up from  Makeup and Glow    I have lots of domed products I have to depot and need a new home. Each palette come with 20 sticky magnetic dots to pop into the backs of the pans. 

the black domed palette next to a standard palette 

The domed pallet dose not look a lot bigger but the difference makes it very accommodating for domed products.  I will be posting  tomorrow showing you how to depot single products ready to pop into palettes.  keep your eyes peeled here is a sneak peak at the finished product.

Z palette's containing MAC mineral blushes, eye shadows and mineralised skin finishes

BRB - see you soon

Hi all I just wanted to touch base and let you know I am still here. I had a terrible fall and have broken my arm and dislocated my shoulder. ( my right arm)

So I am having difficulties dressing myself let a lone doing any fun FOTD etc. I will try and get a few reviews and such up soon as I am managing to type more now. Keep an eye out I have lots of time to think up a whole lot of awesomeness to bring you all asap.

Hakuhodo brushes

Hi loves, I wanted to share some of my favourite brushes with you today. I had been lusting after the Hakuhodo brushes for years and finally got my hands on some last year at  IMATS.
 I was fascinated by the pretty orange handles and the gold ferruls. I had heard some rave reviews and knew I needed them in my life.

Top to bottom- s103-  210- Yachiyo, Small - s111

I picked up two brushes from the s100 series ( the beautiful vermilion and gold ones) , one from the 200 series ( a dupe for macs 109) and one of the traditional brushes.

S-103

I love this brush it is so soft I use it for bronzer and translucent powder it retails for $93. I know these brushes are on the pricy side but they are an investment and you need to look at it like that with proper care they will last you a lifetime.

S-111

This is the softest brush i have ever felt, it would not be unusual to find me sitting at my dresser brushing it all over my face ( even when i'm not putting makeup on ). I use it for liquid foundation sometimes but mostly for powders ie, blush highlighters. This one retails for $93.

210

I LOVE this brush it is a very close match for the MAC 109 with out its infamous hair loss. This is my favourite brush for blush I get a fantastic fool proof result every time with this baby. Retails for $36.

Yachiyo, small purple

I had to own one of these beautiful traditional japanese brushes, I would love to add more of them to my collection, and hope to do so at this years IMATS. I love this one for highlighter and translucent powder under my eyes. This one is $32.  

               

                      What do you think? you can find them here http://www.hakuhodousa.com/ 

My first attempt at the caviar manicure

OK so I have been in awe of the new trend and have been searching high and low for micro beads. I have had not luck anywhere locally, mostly I was met with a "mirco wha???" accompanied by an unattractive snarl from the craft store attendants. So I scrounged the beads and found some tiny glass beads to have a run with. Yes I know I could have ordered them online but i'm a I want it and I want it now kind of girl.

I painted my nails a nude colour first. I applied one coat of OPI's Samoan sands and let it dry completely.

 

I let the first coast dry completely and then got a small bowl, and the container I had stored the beads in ready to go. 

One nail at a time i applied a second liberal coat of the polish, and instantly poured the beads directly onto the nail over the bowl to catch the spare beads.

Mill Hill Petite glass beads - OPI samoan sand

After the nail was covered I gently patted the beads to make sure they were all stuck I also had to flick a few off from around the cuticle area.
As soon as the first nail was finished I was tempted to remove it and give the whole "caviar Manicure " thing the flick, It looked like crap to me but hubby and the kids loved it so I persevered.

I did the same steps with all ten nails, I was still really unhappy with them. Maybe it is my anal retentiveness and my need to have nice smooth nails, it may just have been that the beads are not as small as the micro beads and gave the manicure to much volume, I don't know but I was not sold.

To add insult to injury Hubby and I were going out last night and i had to get him to help me get dressed, I know crazy right... The outfit I had picked out required fishnet tights and i couldn't manage them with the beads.
It kept getting worse we went to a dear friends place for dinner and ribs were on the menu, so yummy but finger food was not a great combination with my nails either... I think I swallowed about 10 beads.

I will order some micro beads and give this another try but at the moment the Caviar Manicure is not for me what do you think of my attempt?? Is it something you would try??

Haul - all the way from USA

I have been looking to add a new foundation to my kit and had been reading lots of reviews and asking other artist what was in their kit and the vote was pretty clear RCMA was the way to go.

 Its a foundation I have been lusting after for a long while now but availability n Australia was a huge issue. I could get the smaller sample pallet's here but it was much more economical to get the full size product.

During my research i discovered most people were purchasing RCMA through Camera Ready Cosmetics. I was so happy that an American based company shipped to Australia.
I will do a separate review of the foundation once I have had a good play with it.

I also picked up the beautiful Ben Nye Fireworks wheel, it is another product that I had seen prior and loved but never picked up, so with the cheaper price it was a no brainier for me. I love a good highlighter so I think this pallet will be well loved.

swatches 

Have you found any great international cosmetic companies that ship to Aus????

The new love of my life - The Zuca Sports

As a freelance makeup artist one of the major issues I have is portability of my kit. To have all the products I may need on hand means carting a huge amount of makeup with me most of the time. I have previously shown you what is in my kit and how it was packed here. I also said that I was on the hunt for a new train case and the Zuca was high on the list.
So I bit the bullet and here it is my new Zuca sports.

Zuca sport 

I chose the red frame and the black mystic bag, I think it reflects Madame Rouge very well.

It came with four pouches with clear plastic tops that make knowing whats inside much easier. The other feature that made me go with the sports rather than the artist pro, was the double wheels. This makes taking the case upstairs a joy.

inside pouches

I purchased my zuca from ebay the seller was really helpful and the prices are fantastic check her store out here.

I have had a bit of a play today and I am amazed at how much fits inside this little beauty, I will fill her up and report back soon. xx 

My new branding

Hi loves, notice anything new??? What do you think? I have updated my blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts with my beautiful new logo. I would like to thank the team at Born Creative for the fantastic job they did helping me develop Madam Rouge's new branding. I would also like to thank Audrey from Bright Sparks Websites for helping me implement these new changes. Have a look at their websites these ladies do some incredible work.

Check Madame Rouges new look out on Facebook too, https://www.facebook.com/MadameRougeMakeup

How to conceal dark circles with out looking cakey

We all struggle from time to time with the tell tale signs of lack of sleep, not feeling well or genetic dark under eye circles. As a mum i have had (still do) my fair share of these beautiful blue bags.

Its really tempting to pile on the concealer and solider on, but the results are never what we hope for. The trick to combating the blue/purple rings is to colour correct. The skin under the eyes is discoloured and you need to bring it back to match the rest of the skin. To colour correct we must use a colour on the opposite side of the colour wheel to neutralise the skin tone.

simple colour wheel

If you look opposite the blue on the wheel is orange. Using an peach to orange colour corrector depending on the level of blue will neutralise the skin under the eye. Using colour correction will save you having to pile on the concealer that causes caking and grey ashy tones under the eye. ( I have an asian client that i have to use a vibrant orange lipstick to correct under her eyes)

 Ticks 

-  to stop a heavy application is to warm the product between your finger tips to warm it up before application. ( try rubbing your ring fingers together then using them to apply the concealer) 

- apply a brightening eye cream before applying your makeup.

- set concealer under eye with a small fluffy brush and translucent powder ( i use a mac 224) 

- less is more, layer correctors and concealers is much easier to add more if needed than it is to remove it.

 What do you use to hide the dark circles?

What do you want???

Hi Loves todays post is a quick and simple one, what can I do for you? I think I take for granted the skills and knowledge that being a makeup artist gives me.

 So here is your opportunity to ask me anything you may want to know or need some help or advice about. So comment tweet email me so I can get to helping xx

Brisbane city Haul- Mecca Maxima-

I was very blessed to be celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary over the weekend, and hubby and I managed to get the weekend to ourselves. We spent the time in the city shopping eating and enjoying each others company uninterrupted. 

The awesome free gift 

During some much needed retail therapy I stumbled in the newly revamped Mecca Maxima. I was in beauty bloggers heaven, I was a bit over whelmed and only picked up a few things. I had a voucher Mecca was offering on there Facebook page for a free set of Kit Nail strips ready to go. I picked up another set of the Kit nail strips in Pink Parade after seeing them on Gemma Elaine's nails recently and OMG they looked HOT so I had to have them. 

I have been lusting after a few Nars blushes for a while and picked up Angelika this time, it is so pretty I have been using it every day since I got it. 

Goodies I purchased 

I have been Loving orange lip products so Sila's long wear lip colour in Outrageous was a must, I am so happy with this product I have had it on today and it has lasted through my morning coffee, lunch and a coctail, before needing a freshen up. 

I have fallen head over heels with Stila smudge stick waterproof eye liners since discovering one in the Stila Pallete featured here. I grabbed one in blue ribbon, so pretty. 

Mecca  Loot 

I was after a frosty taupe nail polish for winter and Kits Move Up was just what I was looking for, neutral and frosty with out being to glittery. 

 I was over the moon when the beautiful Mecca sales associate said "here is your free gift" who doesn't love a freebee?? The cute little box contains a Soap and Glory Hand food sample  ( this smells like heaven) a Bumble and bumble thickening hairspray sample, a Smashbox  photo finish luminizing primer ( Love it looks great on its own). A Stila illuminating tinted moisturizer sample, a Weil for Origins mega mushroom kin relief serum sample and a set of Kit nail strips in Kiss & Tell. 

Let me know if you would like me to review any of these products in more detail. xx 

OCC Lip Tar Swatches

Hi Loves here are some swatches of the lip Tars I currently own Its really picture heavy so I wont ramble to much in this post I will review each colour individually shortly.

RX

Katricia

Fondue

Pagent

Divine 

Butch

Review- Stila Naturaleyes shadow palette

I have a new love, this incredible Stila palette has become my go - to for a few weeks now. Call it a rut I call it sticking with a good thing.
If I am running short on time or don't have something pre planned, I reach for this palette as I know that what ever combination of the colours I put together I will love it.
You can see a FOTD I created last week with the Stilla palette here.

Top row- Bare- Kitten - Bliss - Sunset - Sandstone
(with out flash)

Bottom row  -  Ebony - Night sky -Luster - Gilded gold -Champagne 

The frost shadows are super buttery I love the texture of them so much, the are very pigmented and apply like a dream. The matte colours are also well pigmented and apply well but not quite as well as their frosty counterparts. 

The Palette also come with one of Stila's smudge stick waterproof eyeliners in Damsel. I didn't have high hopes for this liner, I was so wrong, the liner is soft and creamy but some how manages to stay put around the eye or in the water line amazing. 

Damsel liner

If you are after a great neutral palette I would definitely recommend this one it has all the colours needed to create a number of great eye looks, I picked this beauty up at Mecca cosmetica.

 

What is your favourite neutral palette? Have you tried Stila eye shadows?

FOTD- featuring Chanel & OCC Lip Tars

Hi Loves I was getting ready yesterday and actually remembered to take a few pics. I had my Iphone handy so the quality is not great but I knew If i went looking for the camera I would get caught up and would manage to rush out the door before and photos were actually taken.

Excuse the messy dressing table

What I have on - Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation in 10 Limpide- nude
                         - Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder
                         - Mac Bone beige as contour colour
                         - Mac cantaloupe blush

              Eyes  - Stilla eye shadows in Bare, Champagne, and Luster (all from nuturaleyes palette)
                        - Stilla smudge stick waterproof eye liner in damsel (also in palette) in tight line.
                        - Mehron Pro pencil in super white on water line
                        - Make up for ever smokey Lash mascara
                        - Mac Cork eye shadow for brows

              Lips  - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip tars In plum and melange mixed together