A weekend off for a wedding photographer. - by going to a wedding

This weekend I shall be having a weekend off from my "day job". By attending a wedding, but this time as a guest.
Therefore what does this mean? 

• Hair & and nails are being done
• Makeup is being done
• The outfit has been planned to perfection
• Overnight bag is packed
• And the most scary one ...... not a camera in sight

I don't know if it is strange that I am half dreading not having a camera with me, however firstly and most personally, I have been asked to be a guest therefore I should enjoy the day and "live" the moments.
Also for vanity, I cannot fit one in my handbag. I will struggle to get my phone and lipstick in there, never mind my DSLR and varying lenses.


I am just awaiting the temptation of someone leaving a camera laying around, or potentially being directly handed one by another guest to take a picture.


I did get the opportunity as my gift to take the engagement shots for the couple, however tomorrow everything will be left to another photographer.

Nicola

New things I like this week, Perfume, Makeup, Canon Lens

New things I like.

Well this blog was set up to share with you new things that I have been trying.

This week I have been trying a few new items that I have been loving.

We went to a younique party this week and tried their lip stain, I was very pleased that the item did not transfer onto my glass or even my back of the hand test. I have since tried again and timed it I managed a full 6 hours before you could not see the stain any more. Including lunch and multiple cups of tea at work. I went for the colour sleek, this is a reddish burgundy colour which is ideal for autumn winter. You don’t need to be scared of the blood red colour coming out of the tube as this offers a tint of a deeper colour to your lips but, not vampire blood red.

At the same party I was shown the eyebrow products, however they looked amazing with the results even the lightest colour was too dark for me. At £30 I didn’t want to just make do. However the following day in my local Tesco I spotted the Rimmel version of the fiber gel “brow this way” and Maybelline “brow satin” pencil. They offer the same effect, in a much better colour for me and less than £10 for the two.

I am a perfume lover, however I begrudge paying high amounts for work perfume, this week I spoke to a colleague as she smelled really nice, she was wearing the Suddenly Madame Glamour. I had not heard of this one, therefore I got on to Google. To find this was a lidl perfume at £3.99. This has been commented to be a replica of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (which I had heard of). I purchased some myself this week, and have had a number of comments on how nice it smells. Yes I can admit that it does not have the same staying power as my “usual” perfume, however I can get through a 8 hour work day just. I have already considered purchasing more next week when this is on offer at £1.99. Apparently Lidl also have a range including candles and body mists at some times of the year, I think I know what is going on my xmas list.

I have recently purchased myself a new lens for my DSLR camera. I am currently saving for a new body and lens combo for my wedding photography. However recently a lens I have been looking at for years was on offer. I decided to treat myself. I have heard so much about this type of lens and the clarity and definition this can offer me compared to my normal zoom lens. I also used this lens for a recent engagement shoot. All I found was I had to turn my brain back on when working, by moving myself more and thinking about positioning before taking the shot.

(The lens is Canon 50mm prime 1.8)

What have you been loving this week?

Speak Soon

Nic x

Eyebrow Tinting / Waxing and Eyelash Tinting – Before and After

This wasn’t the first time I had this done, I have previously had my patch test and all had come up fine.

I had neglected my brows for about 8 weeks, they were uneven and unloved. I was finding it hard to make my eye make-up look good. Therefore an appointment was booked in.

On the night the lady tinted my eyebrows first, this took about 3 minutes, We were just chatting away and the time flow.

Eyelashes: - she put some Vaseline under my eye and a cotton wool pad folded in half, then asked me to close my eyes (not scrunch) and keep them closed until asked me to reopen. Then she painted on the dye. (I went for blue / black). Again we sat and chatted, this time with my eyes closed, for around 10 minutes. She then wiped away the excess dye and “tickled” my lashes to separate them all.

Then the eyebrow wax, I always find this uncomfortable. By no way pain where I would have it done again. But always makes me jump on one eye more than the other. This time as my brows were so bad she then spent another few minutes with a tweezer tidy. (This part always reminds me why I don’t get my legs or other areas waxed)

Then all done, asked me to sit up and check all is ok.

(bottom picture left = before wipe off once home)

Everything will look darker and bolder than you expected.  This is due to the residue of the dyes. Try and leave this overnight if you can to help your colour last longer. Then wash with a gentle cleanser the next day.

I love the way it makes my face change, I feel like I can just put minimal foundation on and a lippy and I’m out the door. It doesn't make me look “made up” but it makes me look groomed. The effects usually last about 3 weeks for me. Therefore I am planning on booking 4 weekly reoccurring appointments.

Any other beauty treatments I should be looking into?

Nicola

Duck Egg Blue & Grey - Bedroom accessories and additions Spring 2015

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update for a few things added to my new room this week.

Both items are from www.MelodyMaison.co.uk

I just wanted a few bits to finish off my duck egg blue and grey theme.

I needed more storage, therefore the chest will be part make up and part random stuff storage.

I also wanted somewhere for me to burn my votive candles.
This looks even more lovely when lit next to my TV.

What do you think?

Nicola

Actiderm Makeup and products.

This week I have been contacted by a lady in my local area to see her about Actiderm products. To be honest I had not heard of the items before and did some reading online.

The products are by a British pharmaceutical company, made in their own French Labs, who work with all of the big names in French and worldwide skincare brands. They branched out and started to produce their own line, but due to contracts can only sell directly to the public. Therefore they have a brochure / party company to sell their items. There is a wide range of skin and body beauty items. However in the last 6 months they have brought out a mineral makeup range. 

Jen asked if I would like a free makeover to see more about the products myself. I went to her house where the products were all laid out on the table with their silver packaging.

She then talked to me about the products how they are all paraben free and how no talc or bulking agent is used in the items. Great for me with my sensitive skin. We then decided to go for a daring evening look. I wasn’t going out anywhere and I was still in my office work clothes but I wanted to see a change. Something I wouldn’t have known how to do at home. 

Jen went through the stages and told me what she was doing and how she applied this.

At the end I got a sheet with a link to her website and what products were used. There was no hard sell, but this is due to the products selling themselves.

I have never found a red lipstick for me, and Jen worked her magic and did in the shade strawberry. I also really likes the brow wax she used. I am currently using MUA with a wax and powder combination. But I think I’m going to convert. I was also interested in the cream to powder foundation. I have never ventured away from straight liquid, or my mineral powder. Never one that changed between, however the coverage was smooth and I can build it up if I have a bad skin day.

I have since spoken to some colleagues at work about the skincare range and they want to know more, due to the lifting, tightening and plumping that some offer. (I don’t think I’m ready for them just yet)

In conclusion:

•          I like Jen, she was lovely – if your local to Doncaster / Retford get in touch with her.
•        I like the products and they opened my eyes to new items to try
•       I like the idea of the company with their ethics of not bulking out the products and being paraben free.
•         I’m not an Actiderm convert, however I shall be adding items to my routine. I would like to learn more about the daily skincare range.

Nicola

Links:

Jens facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jensactiderm/

Jens Website: http://www.actiderm.co.uk/me/jenny-driscoll