Blank Canvas Cosmetics Must Haves

     

        Blank Canvas Cosmetics are quickly becoming a go-to brand for affordability. Pair this with excellent quality and they are a Brand worthy of a look. Blank Canvas Cosmetics are an Irish brand that was founded to bring affordable prices to the European market and help cut down on large custom and shipping costs that are inevitable when ordering from International Companies. 

    As a MakeUp Artist it is easy to get caught spending a large amount on brushes and products for my kit, so finding an affordable brand, and an Irish brand at that, is simply a godsend. I discovered Blank Canvas products last Christmas, when I received a few brushes as gifts and have repurchased ever since.

First up is the Contour/Highlight Kit #1.

          Literally everything for a MUA, or a makeup enthusiast. Shades for Highlighting the skin and keeping that lighter under-eye area light, and also shades for Contouring the skin. The powders are quick light on the skin and very buildable, great for a strong contour or just a slight bronzing of the face. As you can see from the photo below, there is a peach shade in the centre, I don't use this shade, doesn't serve any purpose for me but for the price of the palette, I don't mind. The palette is currently on sale too, only €10.99!! Buy here.

Check out my Facebook page here to see this bad boy in action, I use it on all my clients! 

Next up is there brushes.

Lots of great High-End dupes to be found on this site. Only differences between them is the price point. A large collection of different brush styles so there is definently brushes here for anyones tastes. 

Some of my favs.

Some of my favourites include:

EYES:

E23- white haired pencil brush, dupe of Mac 219 €6.99

E24- white haired flat shader brush, dupe of Mac 239 €6.99

E25- black haired fluffy blending brush, dupe of Inglot 6SS €6.99

E26- white haired blending brush, dupe of Mac 217 €6.99

(note: these can be bought as doubled ended brushes).

FACE:

F20- flat synthetic kabuki foundation brush, dupe of Sigma F80 €13.99

F25- fluffy synthetic powder brush €13.99

F23- tapered synthetic concealer brush €13.99

F30- scuplting contour brush €19.99

F15- small tapered contour/highlight brush (red hair) €13.99

All brushes can be purchase from BlankCanvasCosmetics payment accepted through paypal. Shipping is fast also if you're ordering from Ireland, so you're not left waiting too long for you purchases, which is always a bonus! I am also always impressed with how the palette comes shipped, carefully bubbled wrapped to insure its safety, not many brands, even the high end ones offer this. I 100% recommend these brushes, especially if you are looking for great quality on a budget, look no further! 

Kate xXx

MakeUp Forever Universal Palette.

As a MakeUp Artist, I am forever buying new eyeshadows from different companies, meaning the eyeshadow pans are different shapes! MakeUp Forever Universal Palette is a god send to us makeup addicts! An empty palette that fits any size eyeshadow, from any company! Great idea for any pan product, be it blushes, powders or eyeshadows.

It has a flat magnetic surface that keeps the shadows in place. It is quite a large palette also, so fits a serious amount of shadows. At the moment I use only for my own personal eyeshadow stash, it is a tin-like container so it doesn't like too much traveling around, it can take a bit of a beating in my Zuca Case so I keep it for myself.

This palette is actually pretty cheap in comparison to other MUFE products, at €14.50 and compared to similar products that other companies have, it is much better value. You can purchase MUFE products in their store on Clarendon St. just beside Grafton St. or online here. Any makeup lovers will really appreciate this one!

Kate xXx

My MAC Must Haves!

     If we're honest, Mac Cosmetics is possibly one of thee most coveted brands of make up that there is. As a Make Up Artist, it is very easy to get carried away with all their collections and new products that come out monthly, mainly because they do a fantastic job at hyping up their collections and products and suck in people like me, but the real question is, are their products worth the hype??

   I'll be honest, I don't love every single product that comes out of Mac like some Make Up Artists do but I do LOVE a good few products. Here I'm going to go through the what's and the why's of the products I do love. (Please note, I love a lot of Mac products, I could name endless amounts of products but I've tried to limited them down).

  First Up, Mineralised Skin Finishes, particularly 'Porcelain Pink' and "Soft and Gentle'. These are highlighting products for the face, designed to add that dewy, fresh looking glow to the skin. 'Soft and Gentle' is possibly the more well known colour, perfect for all skin colours whereas 'Porcelain Pink' is, as it sounds, more pink toned, more suited to those with paler skins types. I love both, this product is probably my must have of must haves from Mac. Retails for around €30

Porcelain Pink.

'Soft and Gentle'.

  Second, the WHOLE Mac Lipstick range. I actually don't use any other lipsticks really. From the smell, the range of textures and finishes, the choice of colours, I could go on about these for a long time. Prices have gone up for these over the last year, I believe they are around €19 now.

Selection of random Mac lipsticks.

Some of my favourites include 'Diva', 'Ruby Woo', 'CremeCup', 'HoneyLove', 'Peach Blossom', 'Shy Girl', 'Hue', should I continue.....because I could possibly name them all.....

   Next up is ProLongwear Concealer. Holy Grail concealer for me. Fantastic coverage, easy to blend, and doesn't crease under the eye. I use mine with either a Beauty Blender or my Real Techniques Contour Brush. Retails for between €17-€20.

    Fourth spot belongs to Mac's Eyeshadows. Not everyone will agree with this one I know, but I enjoy using Mac eyeshadows. The colours are beautiful and they have a serious range of colours and textures to choose from. One bad point, they are quite expensive for the amount of product you get. Single eyeshadows are around €18 and refills for palettes are around €13.

Some of my favourites would be 'Texture', 'Swiss Chocolate', 'Sketch', 'Embark', 'Cork', 'All that Glitters', 'HoneyLove', again I could continue.....

    My final must have for today is an eyeshadow brush, Mac;s 217 blending brush to be exact. It is a white haired blending brush perfect for applying depth to the socket and buffing out harsh edges, which works fantasitc due to its oval shaped head. For me it is a must, there are very few high-end companies that have a brush similar shape to this - I am aware of the cheaper options but I rather pay extra for brushes, you have them for longer.

   So there is my Top 5 Mac Must Haves, hope you enjoyed that read. I know Mac can be quite intimating when walking in due to the volume of products and colours so hopefully this will help you narrow down you choices!

   What are you Mac favourites? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks,
Kate xXx

Mac: The Stylish Brow; Haul

     I have honestly been dying to get my hands on this Mac Collection since I heard about it. The Stylish Brow, a collection dedicated to shaping and styling your brows. The collection compromises of brow powders, brow liners and brow gel, and for me personally it was the brow gels that I was particularly interested in.

    So the Collection came out today, Feb.7th, and I had knowing saved my Christmas vouchers for this very occasion. There was also a couple of other collections out today as well, The Strength Collection and the ProLongwear Paint Pots. I didn't have any real interest in those ones but you never know, I could be heading back for them! :D

    I bought two brow gels, 'Deep Dark Brunette' and 'Dirty Blonde', both for me and my clients. 'Dirty Blonde' is honestly the perfect colour for me, someone who is a toss up between blonde and light brown haired. Now brow gels are quite similar to Mac's Fluid-line Eyeliners, some of which can be used in the brows but these new products are specially for the brows and give a much more defined and sharp brow. Now this is just a haul blog, I haven't tried these yet but I know that I will be loving them.

   I also bought a veluxe brow liner in 'Brunette'. Now, I am not usually a brow pencil kind of gal, I don't like the consistency or outcome on the brow really, but this one just jumped out at me. It is so soft and natural looking, well the swatch on my hand was anyway, and I also liked the shape and size of the spooly brush too. I'll see how I get on with this and report back.

    I didn't see the point in buying any of the brow powders personally. Not that they didn't look great, and are so handy in the same little two palette if you do buy them, but I already have such an amount of shadows and brow powders myself that I just didn't see the point. But, they defo are well worth the looksie.

Brow gels: €17.50
Brow pencils: €20

**I think the brow pencils are waaaay overpriced, they're current brow pencils are €14.50 (I think) and even though I haven't tested this new one, dare I say it probably is better, but hey, I could be wrong??

Anyone else pick anything up today? Or will you be venturing in??

Brows are super important; in my opinion!

Kate xXx

The Edit: Ombre Hair.

   First things first, I haven't blogged since the end of October, for me that is an extraordinarily long time to go with blabbing randomly to my computer. My apologies, I'm back now!

   First blog of the new year (in February I know) is an update. My ombre hair. Now in my last hair update, see here, I told you all I was going dark blonde into white blonde. Well, to cut things short, that didn't work. The last hairdresser put a red tint through my hair so basically I was a touch gingery for awhile (disclaimer: nothing wrong with ginger, just not what I wanted). So, my plan changed. I am now dark ombre.

     Now, I haven't had dark hair for at least 5 years, and to say I was freaked out in the hairdressers is a massive understatement but after a couple of days, it's definitely growing on me.

    I am naturally quite pale so a little bit extra on the tan will probably be needed but I think I like it. What do you all think? Is ombre becoming a little dated at this stage or is it here to stay??

Let me know your thoughts...

Kate xXx

Rimmel 'Scandaleyes' Kohl Liner!

   Absolutely loving Rimmel's new line of products that they've just released including mascara, nail varnishes, lipsticks and eyeliner. Today, I'm going to talk about a product that I've heard sooooo much about in the blogging world. It has been described as a dupe for Mac's much-loved 'Chromagraphic' eyeliner. If you don't know what liner that is, it's basic a boring beige liner for the inner waterline. It brightens the eyes but still looks natural, more natural than a white eyeliner. It is also widely know to be one of the hardest products to lay your hands on as it's a pro product and almost always out of shock or limited edition. So, finding a dupe is very exciting, for me and for beauty addicts like me.

    The Rimmel eyeliner range comes in about 7 shades, with the 'Chromagraphic' dupe being 005 Nude (bottom in picture below). I only bought one shade but I already know I want to go back and purchase the taupe shade as well.

    It's quite a waxy/crayon texture that glides on quite easily to the waterline. Perfect for an older lady trying to brighten up her eyes but still looking quite natural. The product is waterproof meaning it is quite long lasting, perfect for the waterline 'cos there is nothing more annoying than having to constantly top up an eyeliner.

    Even though there is quite a small amount of shades, they cover a range of colours, with something for everyone. You have the standard black and brown, much like any kohl eyeliner except waterproof. There is also, as you can see above, a range of colours for those of us who prefer a brighter shade. I, personally wouldn't wear a silver or bright blue eyeliner but that doesn't mean it wouldn't float your boat. I would only consider the purple as an alternative colour choice. But, as I said, I definently want to explore the taupe liner for a change.

    The liner definently one of the creamiest liners from a 'drugstore' brand that I've ever tried, and I love creamier liners, more pencil-like liners simply just hurt my eyes and I end up not using them, wasting money. So, so far so good with this one. I don't wear it all the time, it's more of a simple, natural day look or for when I'm wearing a strong lip. Also, great for waking up tired eyes!

P.s. MUA tip, a nude liner like this is brilliant for perfecting that red or coloured lip, simply trace around the shape of your lip to perfect the shape!

    Check these out Ladies and let me know what you think!!

Kate xXx
 

New Maybelline Foundation: Fit Me!

   So Maybelline have released a new foundation, I'm not sure when it was released but it's only new to Ireland. I needed a new foundation having run out of all of my own foundation at the same time, typical! So, Boots 3-for-2 got me again.....

    Fit Me is a very liquid foundation, not a trace of powder or mattifying substance in it at all! Has a nice range of colours and a nice friendly and useful chart for matching your skintone. The chart helps to match you skintone with the foundation colours and a match concealor and powder. Not that I need help picking mind but for those of you who struggle to find the perfect colour it is very helpful! Anyway...I bought a more tanned foundation colour, no. 130 with matching powder 120. I have to say I really like the foundation. I love the consistency for my dry skin and also it has really good coverage. More of a medium coverage foundation but it is definently buildable. It does remain quite oily and liquid-like on the skin so if you don't like that finish or you don't like using a setting powder then this isn't the foundation for you. I use my Smanatha Chapman Real Techniques Buffing brush to apply. It's my ultimate foundation brush and if you have bought it already, I suggest you head to Boot's 3-for-2, perfect excuse for a purchase. (You'll find it in the 'Core Collection', the gold brushes.)

Powder and Foundation. Picture quality is awful sorry, flash was playing havoc with my camera.

    Fit Me Setting Powder, probably one of the worst pigmented powdered I've ever come across! Even if you scrub your brush into the powder it still doesn't give off a great amount of powder. Very disappointed. I constantly have to top up my powder throughout the day, more times than usual and is a pain to be honest. I will persist though because you never know it might get better, although I don't hold out great hope for such a miracle.  

Powder. More bad picture quality, Sorry.

     I quite like the packaging! Clear glass bottle with a black lid and pump. I love foundation that come with pumps, they are better than those without pumps, I end up wasting a load of product. Not that case with Fit Me though. Powder packaging is also nice. The bottom lifts up and there is a powder puff and a big mirror. The actual powder pan itself doesn't appear to be that deep so I don't think it will be lasting long, and for €8.99 and the bad pigmentation, I would be expecting it to last a good long time.

     As I said, Powder is €8.99 and Foundation is €11.99, currently on a special in Boots 'cos there new so now is the time to buy if you're going to try. There is also a Fit Me concealor and blusher too. However, the blusher is awful pigment and poor colour choices and I love my Collection 2000 concealer too much to change.

    So in summary, I like the foundation, would defo buy more of these, but I don't think the powder is worth the money. Sums it up nicely I think...
Has anyone else tried this new foundation? Let me know in the comments what you think!!

Thanks for reading,
Kate xXx

Kate Moss for Rimmel!

    Boot's 3-for-2 is quite simply the death of me! I wait and wait and wait to buy drugstore makeup until the 3-for-2 offer comes around, and when it does I spend a shameful amount of money, money I don't have ha!

   Kate Moss recently brought out a new line of 'Kate Moss for Rimmel' matte lipsticks off the back of the success of her first line for them. And I must say I am loving the new ones. The packaging is sleek and eye-catching and even though it is a small selection, there is quite a range of colours. As I recently bought a couple of Mac lipsticks in darks and reds, I decided to try out the Rimmel nudes. I bought one from the new colour (the red packaging) and one from the older collection (the black packaging).

   The newer nude, no.113 (I wish they are cool names like in Mac, I hate numbers), is a peachy nude. Very much a colour like 'Shy Girl' from Mac but just a matte finish. I quite like how creamy the lipsticks are even though they are matte in finish. I do in general prefer matte lipsticks, they are much longer lastly but they can seriously dry out your lips, a problem I constantly have, (Blistex Intense Moisturiser is my lips best friend). the peachy nude is nice, defo a nude most suited to a more golden-toned skin tone, but use paleys can still rock it.

   The second nude I got, from the old collection is no.03, a slightly pinkier nude, similiar to 'Honey-Love' from Mac, another matte nude. I bought 'Honey-Love' and lost it two days later, heartbreaking to say the least. So, instead of  splashing out on another Mac one, for €18, a €6.99 on will do me just grand!!! Again, very creamy on the lips, similar consistency to Mac's matte lipsticks (but obviously I do prefer Mac's, they are my hands-down favourites).

   You really can't go wrong with a nude. Perfect for an everyday lipstick or for something to contrast your smokey eye on a night out. Give Kate Moss for Rimmel a go, worth the money and you will defo get your use outta these lippies.

Has anyone purchased any of Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipsticks? What shades are you Ladies loving??

Kate xXx

Releasing my inner DIVA.....

I am back blogging with vengeance Ladies....!   

    First thing I need to point out, I have had Mac's Diva Lipstick for two days, yes I said TWO days, and I am so in love it's not even funny (I've worn it both those two days)!! I literally don't know how I've managed to live without 'Diva' for so long!

    It's not a limited edition colour, it's part of their normal lipstick colour, and I'd figured the reason that I've skipped over it for all these years is because it's not a 'wow', scream at me amazing colour in the bullet! In fact I would still be without 'Diva' even I hadn't discovered someone wearing it in a picture on Instagram (I'm obsessed with this site, follow me, my username is kate_mc_makeup), and it was amazing on her so naturally enough I followed her style! And if I'm being brutally vain and shallow and all that jazz I kinda LOVE it on me, exactly my style colour and I think it suits me (I'm sure others might disagree but who cares)!

    On to the actual lipstick......It is the perfect Autumn/Fall/Winter colour and I know I'm going to wear it day in, day out till the cows come home. It is a deep burgundy/red colour with a hint of brown tones through it, sounds sexy right, but eh YEAH it is!!! Perfect for a minimal makeup look and for a more extreme 'eyes and lips' look. Super sexy and Yes, I find myself posing and 'cheek-sucking-in' whilst I'm wearing it and that there is the definition of a good lipstick.

    So I'll show you guys and let you be the judge, jury and executioner as they say....

I love it, you should too!!!! :)

Kate xXx

A different kinda blog....

    I've been a unbelievably bad blogger of late, I'm sorry, I'm ashamed! I've been a busy makeup artist though, business is good so I can't complain!! :) Instead of a review or my own face gracing the pages of my blog, I've decided to share some of the faces I've been working of late!!!

Cara, heading to a Wedding!

    So here it goes, my beauties....

Claire, heading on a night out!

Amy, also heading to a Wedding!

Grace, heading on a night out!

Rebecca, heading to her Debs!

    These are just some of the faces I've been working on the last few weeks, as I've said, business is good so I thought I'd keep you up to date with why I've been a bad blogger!!! I'll be back soon though, with many new makeup looks and reviews for you to enjoy!!

Hope you like some of my painted faces!! Let me know what you think!! :)

Bookings: katemccormack@hotmail.com

Kate xXx

Ombre Hair!!

NON-makeup Post!!!
  
   I am totes (Yes, I said totes, eeek), in love with Ombre Hair, ya'no the dip-dyed effect! Very in at the moment,! Most people tend to go dark on top, like a chocolate brown, in a lighter brown/blonde at the bottom. I tried this in my hair, and well, it turned reddish, not so chic. And also too dark for my liking!

      I've been blonde for years, spent a solid fortune on highlights, and I love being blonde so I am now in the process of doing my own style ombre, a warm blonde on top blended into a bright, white blonde at the ends. So far so good in my opinion.

     At the moment, I'm not completely the colour I want to be, well on top anyway. I have to lighten my hair gradually according to my hairdresser so I've decided to keep you updated on this. I defo want to go lighter at my roots but I REALLY LOVE my white blonde ends of my hair. Like proper LOVE.

So here a current picture....

White ends are amazing right? :P

I'm due a visit to the hairdressers soon so I will keep you updated on what it looks like, a step by step look if you like!

'till the next blog,
Kate xXx

Hello Lip Life Savers!!

    Lately, I've been having a crappy time with severely dry lips, nothing has been working for me! However, I'm going to introduce you too two lip saviours! An exfoliantor and an intensive moisturiser.

      First up, exfoliant. Lush again, I know but I'm loving Lush at the mo. 'Pow Wow' Lip Scrub. Basically, an exfoliant for your lips, a grainy product that basically takes of the top layer on your lips, the dry flakey bits (yuck). Firstly, it smells amazeballssss (I hate this word, can't believe I used it). Quite a limey smell, a bit like the Starburst fruit sweets. Simply devine. The colour is super green, very candy like and it kinda tastes nice too (yes, it's perfectly okay to eat this). Now i won't lie to you, it hurts, but it's worth it. Leaves your lips super smooth and flake-free. I've had mine for quite some time so it has become quite dry, I don't know if it's supposed to be like that or if I might need a new one but I think it still works so I'll stick with it for awhile. It comes in several different flavours and colours so I might splash out on a different flavour soon. I am loving this though, and coming into the Winter our lips are going to need so TLC so check it out. 

               (This was given to me so I don't know the price, but it can't be more than €10, and worth every penny)

Next up, Blistex. A very widely known lip product I'm sure you'll all agree! I have to firstly say that I much prefer their new packaging. the one they had before just always leaked out on me, this one is simply more purse friendly. Using this along with my 'Pow Wow' has really helped my lips out tremendously. When using this I make sure that I reapply the Blistex every hour or so, just to make sure it is working, I can be a bit obsessive like that ha! It is really creamy, and very hydrating on the lips. You can really feel this working on the lips and I simply can't give enough praise to this product. You can also find this in EVERY chemist around so NO EXCUSES!!!!

Empty Much?

      Ladies, i can't stress enough how important lips care is. It really is important, especially coming into the Winter. Pick up a moisturiser, you won't regret it!

     Has anyone tried either of these products?? What are your lip favs??? Tell me all......

Kate! xXx

Bourjois 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation!

    Now, so I am a bit late on this blog, this is Bourjois's newest foundation but it is by no means new! I never got around to purchasing this one as I hadn't heard great things about it but I caved in 'cos I wanted something new and I really like Bourjois's Healthy Mix Foundation. So, now I've got that out of the way I'll move on to what I think about it!
 
  I like!

It's not my favourite ever, so far, but it is defo doing the job!

   Bourjois says: 3 correcting pigments within the foundation. 1.Yellow pigments:anti dark circles. 2.Mauve pigments: anti dull complexion. 3. Green pigments: anti redness. Basically, the foundation is supposed to even out your skin tone by neutralising any pigmentation in your skin. And, if I am being fair to Bourjois, the foundation boasts a good colour and as someone who has different tones in my skin, I find that the foundation really does level out my skin tone, so for those of you who suffer in that way, I would defo recommend giving this a try!

   My views so far: It is quite a liquid product so I initially thought that the coverage wouldn't be great but I was wrong, it actually is pretty good when you use a buffing brush! I used Samantha Chapman's Real Techniques Buffing brush (the best foundation brush in my opinion). I just use a little bit of my Lasting Perfection Concealer from Collection 2000 and my face is fully covered, and covered really well! What I notice about the foundation though is that serious dryness on your skin! To me it is defo a matte finish because it is very powdered on my face (oily skin people would love this). It kind of goes against everything it was aimed to though with it's powdered finish, as it states it is a hydrating foundation, confusing really! I do like it's matte finish as I suffer from 'shiny-face' during the day and I haven't had that problem when I used '1,2,3 Perfect'. On the other hand, I don't think it is very long lasting. I feel like it disappears from my face after a couple of hours and it claims up to 16hours of flawless perfection. Not good!

Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Blog here)

     Overall, I like the foundation. I do wish it was a little bit more hydrating on my skin but then again if it was more hydrating it would probably make my face really shiny, I can't be pleased, there is no winning with me! Bourjois isn't an expensive brand, the foundations are generally no more than €15, and this one is defo worth a look. I probably wouldn't repurchase it once I finish this bottle, I defo way prefer their Healthy Mix foundation but I will defo keep going with this, I might have a revelation and suddenly be unable to live without it....We'll see....

    Has anyone else tried this?? Or Healthy Mix Foundation? Let me know!

P.s. this is defo a downside to the foundation, packaging is a let down, foundation comes out of the bottle even when it is sitting idle! grrrrr.....

Thanks for Reading...
Kate xXx