Sunday 20 April 2014

MAC Face and Body Foundation: My Thoughts


So this is such a staple from MAC, but there is so much controversy around it! Although a lot of people have tunnel vision around MAC makeup and ignore a lot of other brands, there is also a huge number of people who don't like their foundations, grouping them all into one. 

Now admittedly, I haven't tried every single one. But during my time at CLMA, this foundation was in the kit I got, so I've had a chance to try it out on a good spread of people and different skin types, so here is what I've discovered:

Firstly, this foundation is perfect for someone like myself who either doesn't usually wear a lot of makeup, or likes to keep it very minimalistic when they do. I like foundations which are very sheer and don't feel cakey on my skin, and this ticks both those boxes. So if you fall into the sort of categories I just described then you may want to get yourself a sample of this one.

One thing to consider, if your bothered about this kind of thing, is that when you first apply this, it smells a little bit like suncream but after it sets in and dries a little the smell goes away.

This foundation is of a watery consistency meaning that it is quite runny, so if you put it on the back of your hand to apply, do be aware that it could run down your hand if you then move it around. it also means that it is very easy to wipe around the face in stead of covering it, so I like to apply it with a flat brush, concentrating on the areas that need more coverage and letting it sit looking pretty much like it does in the picture below. Leave it for a minute or two and then take a bigger, fluffier brush and blend it in gently, this should allow more of the colour to sit over the areas you want it to and not wipe around your face. 



Because this foundation is so watery, it looks quite wet when you apply it but trust me it does dry! So don't go in all guns blazing with shed loads of powder, let it sit. The more you work the foundation the thicker it goes, and leaving it also helps too! if you do your first layer and then move onto something else and give it time to dry it looks a lot nicer, trust me. this is a picture of the foundation after it has been untouched and had time to sit into my skin.




Another thing I've learnt, mostly through trial and error, is that although this foundation is buildable, that doesn't mean you can just keep applying more for a heavier coverage because that will make it wipe around your face too. You need to apply a layer like I described above and once you've gone in with your fluffy brush you need to wait until it dries and sets. Then look at your face and if any places need a little more coverage then apply it in the same way but only on the bits that need it, there is no point wasting your foundation on parts of your skin that don't need it.

What are your thoughts on Face and Body? Share them below..

Tuesday 8 April 2014

First Day at CLMA

Or formerly Cassie Lomas Makeup Academy. If you haven't heard of Cassie Lomas then you need to look her up, that women is an amazing makeup artist!

Yesterday was my first day on one of her courses, 'Bridal and Occasion makeup', and so far it's been so much fun! When I arrived here everyone was very welcoming and friendly and I felt comfortable here very quickly. In the mornings we have a demo by a working makeup artist and in the afternoon we have a go at the makeup.

So the first thing we tried basic bridal, and I think it went really well considering that I've never had to match a foundation to someone's skin tone before, or ever do eyeshadow on someone else's eyes other than my own.

The longer I am here the more I want to branch out as a makeup artist and try more kinds of makeup.

I'm staying in a hotel which is a little bit horrid but it's worth putting up with just for this course..

More updates to come soon :)

Loves xx