Must own brush guide - eye brushes

Hi Beauties following on from yesterdays face brush guide, here is my guide for the brushes you need to achieve most eye makeup looks.

MAC 224 - Sigma ss266 - SigmaE30 - Real Techniques base shadow brush - Sigma ss252

MAC 224 is a soft fluffy brush designed to blend colour through the crease of the eye, I love that the 224 is fluffy enough to really diffuse shadow and bend beautifully, but also not so large that it spreads the colour to far.

The Sigma ss266 is one of my most used brushes. I use it to fill in my brows either with a brow gel or powder. It is also fantastic for lining the eye either as one solid line or for a beautiful soft smokey line.

Sigmas E30 or pencil brush as they are commonly called is a must have for adding definition to an eye look, be it for adding depth of colour to the other corner of the eye or along the lash line. This brush can also be used to smudge eyeliner or shadow along the top or bottom lash line.

The Real Techniques base shadow brush is perfect for as its name suggests applying shadow to the mobile lid of the eye it is dense enough to give a good coverage of colour on the lid but also soft enough to turn on its side and use to blend shadow through the crease of the eye.

The sigma ss252 is similar to the Real Techniques as it is great for providing a full coverage of colour to the lid, it is denser and firmer than the real techniques brush and probably would not be a good choice for blending, but perfect for packing colour onto the lid.

As I said for the face brushes, you don't have to own these specific brands or all the brushes, as some of them perform a duel purpose so have a read and find what will work for you.

If you would like any further knowledge or makeup brush advice please let me know xx

Real Techniques Brush Giveaway winner

Thank you to all that entered my Brush Giveaway, I really appreciate it and wish you could all be winners, but alas I only have one set to give.

Drum roll please ..........

The winner is Angela congratulations please contact me askme@madamerougemakeup.com.au with your postal address so I can send out your prize.
If you didn't win this time keep your eyes peeled I have some more giveaways coming up in the near future.

Must own brushes - Face brushes

Hi lovelies, thanks for joining me today. I wanted to share the basic brushes that you need to have in your collection that will make makeup application a piece of cake.

Firstly face brushes, from foundation to bronzer there is a brush for each job, and some that work for a few all rolled into one.

MAC 188 - real techniques buffing brush - Sigma ss187- sigma f60- real techniques contour - sigma ss168 -MAC 109

The MAC 188 I love for highlighter across the tops of cheek bones, it can also be used for blush and other powder products.

Real Techniques Buffing brush is my personal favourite for liquid foundation, it can also be used for a
full coverage powder foundation.

Sigma ss187 is a bigger version of the MAC 188, i love it for finishing powder or a light coverage of powder foundation. It can also be used for liquid foundation.

Sigma f60 is a traditional foundation brush, I also use it to apply primer.

Real techniques contour brush is my go to for contouring, it is dense but with a pointed tip.

Sigma ss168 is a beautiful brush for applying a contour either liquid or powder, it is also great for blush application, or highlighter.

MAC 109 is my most favourite blush brush its flat rounded top is perfect for just the right application of cheek colour.

You don't have to have these specific brands of brushes, I am only suggesting the style and as stated some of these serve multiple purposes so pick which works best for you. If you would like any further information feel free to ask. 

Tomorrow I will be sharing my must have eye brushes. 

Real Techniques Brushes and a Giveaway

One of the questions I get a lot is "what brushes do use?" Well in my kit I have 5 different brands of brushes each for different reasons. But one of the newest brush brands I have fallen for is Real  Techniques by Samantha Chapman. I added my first real technique brush to mu kit about twelve months ago and haven't looked back.

The brushes feel and perform like top of the line professional brushes at a fraction of the cost. Samantha Chapman is a Makeup artist and a very successful beauty video blogger on Youtube, and her brushes reflect the quality required by professionals.
I have found a great website the sells these brushes at a lot less than Australian retail prices. I love to shop online but hate having to wait for slow international shipping. This was not an issue at all with iherb. The order arrived 3 days after I had placed my order, I was so impressed.

I purchased the core collection, the starter set a powder brush, the foundation brush and the stippling brush.
I also purchased a second set of the core collection to give away to one of you. I love these brushes so much that I wanted you to have an opportunity to see for yourself.

Core Collection

The core collection contains a Detailer brush, a pointed foundation brush, a buffing brush and a contour brush and a case that makes the set freestanding.

To enter is simple, just leave me a comment telling me what makeup or beauty product you wont leave the house without.

I also have a discount code for you all, iherb have given me a discount code for you to use simple use code : BSH025 at checkout and receive $10 of all orders over $40 or $5 off smaller orders.
                                          check out there range at www.iherb.com

                    The winner will be chosen by random on wednesday the 15th of may,good luck

scalp help is here

If you, like me are suffering with a dry, flaky or itchy scalp look no further.
 I have noticed my scalp is extremely dry and flaky, its not itchy at all and I feel it is due to the massive doses of radiation my poor head has been exposed to.

 No matter what the cause I have stumbled upon a fantastic product that delivers what it promises.

XMA is an Australian owned and operated company that makes natural based products. The Hair 'N Scalp overnight scalp treatment was purchased for me by my mum who knew I was having trouble with my dry scalp, She had met the owners of XMA and was really impressed with not only the products they produced but also how beautiful their skin was.

I have been using the overnight treatment each night for 2 weeks now and I couldn't be happier with the results. It is super easy to use I just rub a small amount of the product onto my scalp before bed and shampoo it out each morning.
I have noticed not only a huge reduction in the dry flaky skin coming from my scalp and my hair is shiner and looks and feels much healthier than it had previously.
I will continue to use the treatment less frequently now to maintain my scalp health, and am hoping to talk hubby into giving it a go as he suffers from mild dandruff and I think he would really benefit from the product.
The scalp treatment is a 150 ml bottle and retails for $24.95 and there is a great online store where all the XMA products can be found. Check out the other beautiful natural based products available, I will be adding the goat and oat shampoo and the avocado and oat conditioner to my collection. Check out the website Here .

Look no further for the next beauty bible

If like me you love all things makeup and beauty related ( your here so I assume you do) you need to get your hands on Heart Beauty Magazine. I am always looking for information and inspiration and Heart Beauty has it all covered.
The fall issue is currently available and have a look at this a sample of what the magazine has to offer, its like makeup porn.
This amazing creation is the work of amazing Aussie makeup royalty Rae Morris.

The March issue is current available and is a wealth of knowledge, containing other awe inspiring images like above. Interviews,  product information on all the latest and greatest beauty products and treatments available.

Have a look at there Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/heartbeautymagazine 

And there website its easy to subscribe http://heartbeautymagazine.com/

I have added Heart beauty to my must read list, where do you get your beauty info and inspiration from?

Time to get my life back

Hi loves, this is not going to be the type of post you usually get from me, but hopefully it will keep you all in the loop and let you know whats been going on here at MRM headquarters, and give you all something to look forward to.

You may have noticed that my post have be few and far between over the last 12 months and I am sorry.
Some of you may be aware that I have had some health issues and I wanted to let you all know whats what.

I was diagnosed with a brain tumour about 2 years ago and had been treating  it with medication for the first 18 months to no avail. The medication was pretty rough and knocked the stuffing out of me.
I had to take time of from my Freelancing makeup business to concentrate on trying to heal.
In January this year my doctor decided it was time to pull out the big guns and I underwent a huge dose of Stereo static Radiation.

Shocking pic but you can see my bald head 

I thought the medication was rough, it was nothing compared to the radiation. But it was all worth it as it did the trick. My brain scan shows no sign of the tumour, there is some scar tissue but it looks good. I have to have another scan before the doctor will call it remission but I am feeling on top of the world.

I am getting stronger and feeling better day by day and I am looking forward to getting back to my career and putting more love into this blog.
Thank you for staying with me during this period and I look forward to sharing all kinds of wonderful with you all soon.
xx D

Something Inspiring

One of the things I find most inspiring, is women achieving their dream. Most makeup artist's at one time or another (Me) have dreamt of creating their own cosmetic line. For most this is but a dream. Not so for one of my favourite Aussie makeup artist's Erin Bigg. Not only is she one hell of a makeup artist but also the brain child behind the upcoming cosmetic line Erin Bigg Cosmetics.

As a makeup artis Erin expects the best from the products she uses on her clients, so you know her name sake line will radiate quality and performance.

The Line will be Launched Tonight the 25th of february, the range is an impressive ensemble of 108 eye catching pieces that feature highly pigmented colours for long lasting wear and includes a paraben and fragrance-free range.

“Launching my own line has always been my ultimate business goal and feels like a natural progression for my career. I’ve learnt so much about the needs of consumers and makeup artists and to be able to use this knowledge to develop the definitive cosmetics range is a dream come true,” said Erin.

The Launch of the range tonight also marks the launch of the online  Store where all the beautiful products will be available for purchase. The EB range will also be available at Local queensland retailer the loved and respected Makeup and Glow. 

I am really excited to get my hands on these products, The one I am most excited about at this point in time is the Baked conturing powder it looks so lush.

Hello my pretty

So please show your support for a local Queensland girl with a dream check out her incredible work on her Facebook page and tonight have a shop on either the EB online store or Makeup and Glow      
                                               - https://www.facebook.com/erinbiggmakeup 

                                               -https://www.facebook.com/ErinBiggCosmetic

                                               - http://www.erinbiggcosmetics.com.au/

                                               - www.makeupandglow.com.au

My Favourite MAC lipsticks (at this point in time)

I have a a serious love for MAC lipsticks, I own a fairly substantial number of them, most are depoted into a pallet in my kit but I also have a large personal collection. I had a hard time narrowing the list down to five but here it is. My top 5 Mac lippies.

First on the list is MAC- RED Its a beautiful rich old fashion glamour red, I love a good vintage look at this colour is perfect for that. The formulation is satin but I think its more like a matte, very opaque.

The second colour I have chosen is LADY DANGER, I have been reaching for this one a lot It is a orange red and I love it, if I had to pick one out of all this would be it. The finish is Matte but I don't find this one to drying like some matte lipsticks can be. 

3rd up is a new one to my collection but it is becoming a firm favourite SAIGON SUMMER, Its a beautiful dewey wash of orange with a subtle shimmer. It is a creamsheen finish and is perfect for summer. 

Next one up is CHATTER BOX and I have been wearing this one frequently during the day, it's a pretty wearable pink. Perfect with lots of looks and goes with lots of colours, its great for when I don't know what I feel like putting on. It's an amplified formulation. This lipstick is really comfortable to wear.

Last but not least is GIRL ABOUT TOWN I love this one it is bold and bright and super pretty. A deep blue based pink that looks smoking on. I think I will get a lot of use out of this one during the cooler months. This is also an amplified formulation.

If you would like me to swatch these on the lips please let me know, what are your favourites? Is there any that you think I need in my collection?? let m know xxD

Top picks from 2012

I know I have been MIA so I figured I would write a post highlighting the most amazing products I was loving for last 12 months. To qualify for this list the products either had to be new and blow my mind or be an old favorite that I constantly reached for during the year.

Lets start with skin care -  I have mentioned this range before and I am still loving the Rationale skin care I use the skin prep facial wash ( I love this stuff smells incredible and makes my skin feel so soft). I use the rejuvenating  serum after I cleanse in the morning followed by the Face spf30+.

At night after I have cleansed I use the skin refining serum ( if you only take one thing from this post this should be it this serum will change your life) and each second night I follow that with the retinaldehyde serum, all by Rationale.

During winter I found my skin was getting a little bit dry and was worried about changing anything in my routine as it was working so well, but I decided to add Rosehip oil I picked up the Sukin one and loved the way it made my skin feel, the only thing I don’t like is the smell.

Hair care – I have been a bit all over the place with shampoo and conditioners this year haven’t really found anything that I cant live with out, any suggestions are more than welcome. I am still loving the Mythic oil, in my hair and the girls. I find it great for my dry ends and really helpful for brushing out the knots in the girls long hair, and it makes the hair smell awesome.

Now the big one for me Makeup – I was late getting on the Illamasqua skin base bandwagon but boy am I glad I did, this stuff is the ducks nuts, I love it. Great buildable coverage, last all day and feels great on the skin. It has been my go to since I purchased it in September.

I have been loving my MAC mineralized skin finish Natural for powder either on its own buffed into the skin or as a finishing powder, I love that it has a semi matt finish so it doesn’t look powdery on the skin, so beautiful.

I have been constantly using my Makeup for ever Aqua brow gel since I picked it up at IMATS in September and this stuff wont budge I have worn it in the most sweltering heat lately and to the beach and my brows have stayed as they were.

I received a sample size Smashbox photo finish luminizing primer and fell in love, I have purchased the full size and have been using it constantly. It give a beautiful glow to the skin.

Makeup for ever camouflage cream palette has been my concealer of choice, I love the peach one for under the eyes and the others for spots etc. It’s nice and creamy and covers well.

That’s about it for my faves I have been trying to use lots of different colour products so it has been changing constantly but these items have always been present.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year, what products have you been loving lately? Let me know  xx D