Makeup Tutorial: Punky Pink

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I was inspired by the Peek & Beau Sophie set for this look; pink doesn't necessarily mean girly! This time I've gone for a grungy combination of pink and black, which could work with various different colours swapped in.

Step 1: Using Sugarpill Dollipop Pressed Eyeshadow and a fairly large eyeshadow brush, apply the colour all over your upper lid in a roughly teardrop shape (wider towards the inner eye, coming to a point on the outer eye). Using a slightly thinner brush, apply the colour underneath the eye, but make sure you aren't bringing it too far down, just along the lash line.

Buff and blend the colour out as you go - as this is a grungy look it doesn't need to be precise but it's more of an organised mess ;)

Step 2: Using Sugarpill Bulletproof pressed eyeshadow blend this into the outer corner of your eye, tapering off to a rough flick. Using the thinner brush apply to the lower lash line, blending out into the pink.

Step 3: To ease the blend between the black and the pink, use the Poison Plum eyeshadow between the two colours. 

Step 4: I've also added a touch of white eyeshadow along the brow bone and inner eye.

Step 5: Finish off with a touch of clear sparkle in the inner eye, add mascara on the top and bottom and even some eyelashes! 

Grab 30% off all makeup from now until the 14th August with code MAKEUP30

Makeup Tutorial: Sea Blue

Grab 30% off Makeup with code MAKEUP30 until Friday 14th Aug.

At Playful Promises we are well-known for our colourful prints, and a new set has just arrived which is a perfect reminder of the rich tones of a warm sea.

I wanted to put together a makeup tutorial inspired by the Flores set, with deep blues and hints of turquoise.

I used all Sugarpill Cosmetics for this look - if you aren't already familiar with Sugarpill, they are an independent brand based in the US. All of the products are cruelty-free and the vast majority are also vegan! Shop for Sugarpill here.

Step 1: Using a brush designed for the crease (normally quite flat to create the more defined crease you are looking for) apply Sugarpill Afterparty Pressed Eyeshadow  along your natural eye crease and flick out at the outer corner. This will be the basic shape of your eye makeup, and as the finish will be cat-eye liner, the bottom of the blue flick will need to be roughly the same curve as your lower lash line.

I've also lined by bottom lid with a blue liner.

Step 2: Use a blending brush in a sweeping motion to gradually drag and blend the colour upwards. To make this blending process a little easier you can use a lighter colour like a white or very light blue to give the ombre effect.

Step 3: Use your crease brush again to add some darker colour into the very base of the crease. I used the Magpie Loose Pigment, which has a slight metallic blue sheen. Use your blending brush again to blend in between Magpie and Afterparty, always blending upwards rather than down.

Step 4: Use a clean brush and add Mochi Pressed Eyeshadow across the lid. Apply and blend into the inner corner and a smaller flick on the outer corner just underneath the blue.

Step 5: Using Hi-Viz Neon Pigment apply just a touch to the inner corner of the eye, which will make the makeup pop. Apply a little to the centre of the lid, blending out into the turquoise.

Step 6: Finally line with black liquid liner into a cat-eye flick - you should be able to follow the basic shape of the blue flick you created earlier, and slant the liner down towards the inner eye. Add mascara or maybe some eyelashes and you're ready to party!

If you use any of the products from our makeup section, make sure you tag #playfulpromises and/or #playfulpromisesmakeup on instagram or twitter so we can take a look!

Grab 30% off all makeup from now until the 14th August with code MAKEUP30

Makeup Tips and Trends: Michelle Court

Following on from my previous makeup post, meet bubbly Essex lass Michelle Court who, similar to Katie, decided she wanted to be a makeup artist as a teen when she discovered the transformation mascara made to her eyes. She began experimenting with electric blue mascara (memories for all those 90s kids!).

Multi-talented, trained in airbrushing, special effects and hairdressing, Michelle has been using her creativity in the industry for over a decade and with her incredible experiences any makeup artist aspires to have her success. 

We asked Michelle a few questions about her career, for all those daunted by their future in the industry as a makeup artist. 

What was it like after years of studying to become a professional makeup artist and then be out inthe big wide word on your first paid job?

I remember I felt very nervous on set with my hands shaking, worrying that your work isn’t going to be liked. After I’d finished the makeup and shown the model in the mirror I was still worrying but once the photographer commented ‘the makeup looks great on camera’ there was a sigh of relief, which helped build my confidence. Each shoot from there onwards my confidence has grown.

What has been your favourite job so far and why?

I like the fast pace of a fashion show, but editorial shoots allow me to be more creative and bold. Each shoot is different and I enjoy them all, but the most memorable one I will never forget is Ibiza. I get to travel with work but on this particular occasion I got to stay on an elite 5* yacht, shoot in beautiful million pound villas and magical secluded beaches.

Have you ever been on a shoot and it was an absolute nightmare?

The most awkward moment in my entire career was working on celebrity model Janice Dickinson; she was rude and erratic, bad mouthing all the beautiful models and to top it off said ‘don’t you know who I am?’! I smiled and nodded politely. Once I’d finished working on her face I said ‘ok, you can look in the mirror’ and as she turned to look; our heads collided and I ended up head-butting her!

Finally, for this season will the electric blue mascara be making a reappearance in your makeup bag?

I love experimenting; especially using bold and exciting colours which work well on camera for high fashion shots; but I also like neutral shades. Bright Sugarpill loose powders can create a great look with a subtle lip from Shien cosmetics. My motto is: you’re only as good as your last work, so experiment and enjoy!

Check out Michelle's work for inspiration at www.court-on-camera.com

And don't forget that you can shop for Sugarpill, Shien Cosmetics and Cirque Colors on our website!

Grab 30% off all makeup from now until the 14th August with code MAKEUP30

Makeup Tips and Trends: Katie Mannix

Makeup, like anything, evolves over time; over thousands of years. From lipstick created from red pigmented minerals, lashes blackened with soot to chalk used to whiten complexion.

Throughout time there has always been a slight adaption to create different looks; however during the Victorian era, makeup was associated mostly with prostitutes and actresses. From the 1920s statement red lip, to the iconic 50s look; wacky bright 80s, 90s grunge and now in the 21st Century we contour like Kimmy K; 3D eyebrows and lips becoming more popular with makeup evolving every year!

New and fresh faced to the industry; Katie Mannix from Liverpool specializes in fashion forward, photographic and bespoke looks enhancing both client face shape and eye colour. Her interest in makeup derived from watching countless tutorials as a teen and mastering the basic techniques to cover her acne prone skin - I’m sure some of us can relate!

After studying fashion for a number of years, beauty has always been that much closer to her heart; after falling pregnant she decided to push herself and enrolled in The Makeup Artist course.

We asked Katie a few questions for makeup tips and tricks and how to create an on trend summer look.

Never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she’s late! What is your life-changing trick to ensuring a natural winged eyeliner look without it escalating the dreaded Panda look?

Katie: Have confidence! I'm constantly doing flicks on myself to master a smoother finish. For a classic and timeless 1920sday or night feline flick that suits absolutely everyone, first of all apply a thin layer of concealer to the lid. Using a shadow brush and pigment that’s a few shades darker than your foundation, contour the crease and lighten the line which helps open up the eye. To finish apply a gorgeous thin feline flick.

TIP! The smaller the brush the better, try using a craft brush as the bristles are tiny! You can always thicken the line, but it is hard to make it thinner.

 What makeup looks are on trend this summer?

Katie: Tones of purple, whether it is bold, pastel or a tint of the shade. A bright eye and subtle lip has also been a statement this year, with trends complimenting the 60’s/70’s vibes we are witnessing within fashion prints and styles. This season the biggest catwalk statement was skincare and no makeup, fresh skin, from natural to dewy, so subtlety is key. I’d suggest Shien Cosmetics Pink Jade Lip Veil as their products include bio-nutrients and vitamins, which hydrate and protect the lips; this colour adds a glow completing any look with natural lips.

TIP! Your skin is your base, so look after it! Without a healthy base it makes it difficult to create a flawless look. Use products aimed at your skin type i.e oily, dry, sensitive. To really enhance your complexion, exfoliate, cleanse, tone and moisturize a few times a week to create the perfect canvas.

How can we be ahead and practice our makeup skills, or lack of them, to be on trend for A/W15?

Katie: Autumn 2015 will all be about graphic liner. More makeup artists publish their looks online and how to create them so by experimenting this trend allows you to be more dramatic whether that’s for the day or night.

TIP! Sugarpill Poison Plum Pressed Eyeshadow and Magpie Loose Pigment was used to create this bold graphic liner 60s space age inspired look.

Visit Katie Mannix's facebook page for more amazing looks!

Don't forget you can shop for makeup on our website, including US indie brands Sugarpill, Shien Cosmetics and Cique Colors!

Makeup Tutorial: Cherry Blossom

For this tutorial I was inspired by the colours of our Mia set! The gorgeous pink and blue cherry blossom print was created exclusively by our in-house team, so you won't see it anywhere else.

For this tutorial I'll be using some colourful pressed eyeshadow and loose eyeshadow from Sugarpill, along with their Idol false eyelashes.

I love my makeup bold and bright, but you can lay it on as thick as you like, and be as creative as you like. The great thing about these pigments is that with less product on your brushes, you can create a more subtle look!

Step 1: Using a flat brush apply the Afterparty pressed eyeshadow along the crease of your eyelid and drag around the outer edge of the eye in a curved shape. Continue the colour along the lashline of your lower lid.

Step 2: Using a medium blending brush blend the colour outwards all around the eye. Use a clean brush to add Lumi loose eyeshadow on your brow bone and blend downwards into the blue.

Step 3: Clean off the brush you used for the previous step and add the Dollipop pressed eyeshadow to your lid and the corner of your eye. Using a thin brush, add just a touch of the pink to the waterline.

Step 4: Using the brush you used for step 1, apply the  Magpie loose eyeshadow along your crease, blending out towards the outer edges. Make sure you add less towards the inner eye, and more towards the outer, so you are creating an oval shape.

Step 5: Add a touch of Lumi to the inner corner of your eye, and the centre of your lid.

Step 6:  Using liquid or gel eyeliner (I swear by Collection's Liquid Liner), create a cat-flick, starting low on the inner eye and gradually sloping upwards to the outer eye. Add your favourite mascara to the top lash.

Step 7: Add your favourite lashes - I used the Idol eyelashes, I love how the little beads work with the Lumi pigment!

Want to match even further? Go for Powwow by Cirque Colors on your nails, and Wild Peony by Shien Cosmetics on your lips! 

I'd love to see how you get on! #playfulpromisesmakeup or @playfulpromises on instagram with your looks!