Makeup For Fashion Course at Central Saint Martins

This week I attended a short course in Makeup for Fashion for a week at University of Arts London, Central Saint Martins. I've been wanting to do a makeup course for years to get a chance to learn new techniques, use new products and tools and just to become more experienced with makeup. 

As I'm studying Fashion Communication at university we do quite a few photo-shoots so gaining these new skills in makeup will really help me make the most of these shoots without having to pay someone else to do it whilst building up my own portfolio of skills.

Kristina Vidic ran the course for us, she is a highly experienced makeup artist, working for some of the top designers out there and as a tutor at the university. You can look at some of her work here. She was an amazing tutor, I could ask as many questions as needed and she would give really helpful tips, tricks and advice. 

Day 1

In the morning we learnt about the different skin types and how to care for them, as well as what can sometimes cause imperfections. As we were focusing on base makeup we looked at the different types of foundations, concealers, correctors, contouring and highlighting powders. 

After lunch Kristina gave us a tutorial on how to apply the best possible base and then it was our turn to try it out. Before now I had only ever done makeup on western skin and it was great to try out doing the base makeup on Asian skin as it's totally different! I forgot to take a before photo but here's the after photo of my first attempt at base makeup on Asian skin.

Day 2

On day 2 we focused on natural makeup and brows. Kristina was working on a Chanel Haute Couture show so we had a friend of hers take over for the day. She started with a tutorial showing us tips and tricks to create the best natural look and then we had to create the same look on each other. I learnt methods which I had never tried before which I may write a separate post about in the future. Due to time we didn't get round to actually doing brows on each other but she did show us how to do them and  how to find the perfect brow shape.

Day 3

Kristina was back from her show and we got to be a bit more creative today. We started off with just basic eyeliner and then moved onto doing interesting shapes, cut creases and wings. It was interesting to see how different styles of eyeliner works and doesn't work on different eye shapes.
We then moved onto creating the perfect lip, we were challenged by only being allowed to use red. It is surprisingly difficult to get each side equal on the lips, I found it more difficult than the eyeliner!

Day 4
In the morning we had the chance to go down to MAC and receive 35% off for being on the course so we could build up our kits, how could you so no to that much money off?! I bought a few items, for just £50 I got a full size Face & Body foundation, an eyeliner, a blusher and an angled brush!
In the afternoon it was all about smoky eyes and colours. Kristina created this very fun look below when showing us the techniques. I had so much fun using bright colours as a contour, so much more fun to play with than just a basic contour colour.

Day 5

On our final day we got to do any look that we desired, I went for a look that was a bit of a challenge for me. I was inspired by this image I found on Pinterest below, I adapted it to fit my model as no face or eye shape is the same and also my models hair colour was much darker.
After we completed our look we had a professional photographer take photos of the look so we can add it to our portfolios. At the moment I am waiting for that photo to be sent to me so for now I just have some photos I took on my own camera.

I made some new friends, learnt so many new skills and techniques and had an amazing time. Thank you to Kristina for being an amazing tutor. I am now a qualified beginner makeup artist!
I would recommend this course to anyone who want to learn the basics of makeup or brush up on the skills they already have. They also do an advanced course in September where you get to be even more creative which I hope to do in the next few years.

Benefit Cosmetics Gabbi's Head, London

I'm currently in the middle of a studying a short course in London at Central Saint Martins but normally London is a bit of a journey from home. I had heard about Benefit Cosmetics, Gabbi's Head in Covent Garden and I just had to go whilst it's still around and I'm actually in London.

With 2 other girls on my course we decided after our course yesterday afternoon we'd go to it for a drink and just to see how cute the place was, fair to say it was very pretty and pink. 

It was tucked away in Covent Garden upstairs in a normal pub, when we went upstairs we were surrounded by cute pink furniture. There was so much attention to detail, even all the coasters had cute quotes on them. You could get a makeover or your eyebrows done for just £5 and also 10% off their products but because we were already all made up from our course we decided not to but were very tempted.

Instead we treated ourselves to a cocktail, they were so scrumptious, all themed to be pink and came in pretty jugs and martini glasses.

The whole point of this place is to come and watch the FIFA World Cup but we didn't stay late enough for the next match, nor did we really want to stay to watch it as it's not our cup of tea! The whole concept was adorable though, making a more feminine pub for those who do want to watch the football instead of the classic rowdy pub, there was even a football table you could play with.

It's such a shame that it's not staying, I would visit every time I go to London.

If you're around or able to visit London before the end of the week, then go before it's gone!

My Skincare Routine and Products

I love to keep care of my skin and as I do tend to wear makeup on a daily basis I think its very important to make sure I remove it properly to keep my skin healthy and able to breathe! 

Almost all the products I use are under £10 each so it's a pretty affordable routine, as a student I can't afford fancy products but these do the job for me so I don't even feel the need to pay more. 

The only product here which is over £10 is the Benefit Triple Performing Emulsion but this is my one luxury I do use and always tends to be on my birthday or christmas wish list. 

I have very combination skin, I get quite dry patches around my mouth and nose but then have an oily forehead and eyelids. I don't have very spot prone skin, but I do get the occasional spot. This should give you an idea if any of these products may work for you.

My Daily Skincare Routine

1. I use the Simple Eye Makeup Remover to remove my eye makeup first, it works great with heavy and waterproof makeup, as well as being super affordable.
2. I then use my No7 Cleansing Balm in Dry/Very Dry, I gently massage it in my face and a little down my neck. With a large cotton pad I wipe that off to get rid of the majority of my makeup. This product is super moisturising without being oily and having to wait for it to sink into the skin. Quite often at Boots you get £5 off No7 skincare products which makes this product under £5!
3. After that I tone my skin using either the Botanics All Bright Toner or LUSH Tea Tree Water, I love both these products that's why I like to use them both! With the Botanics toner I apply this onto a cotton pad and then wipe across the skin but with the LUSH toner I spray this directly to my face and then wipe off with a cotton pad. These get rid of those last bits of makeup and dirt on your skin.
4. To finish off I apply the Benefit Triple Performing Emulsion lightly onto my skin, this is super refreshing and sinks into the skin much quicker than many moisturisers I've used in the past. 

My Occasional Skincare Products

If I haven't got time for all of that, for example coming in after a night out, I will quickly use my Simple Cleansing Wipes to get rid of as much makeup as possible. Then usually in the morning I'll refresh my skin properly.

I forgot to photograph this product but whenever I have a shower, this is usually every other day, I use the Freederm Exfoliating Daily Wash. I don't feel the need to use it everyday as I luckily haven't got very spot prone skin, that's why I only use it in the shower, but it helps keep away any blackheads and spots that I do occasionally get from stress and hormones flying around!