IMATS London 2012 Pro Evening

As a professional makeup artist I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the pro evening at IMATS on Friday.

I'd never been to IMATS before so I was exceptionally excited to have been invited to attend, not only for free but also a day before the exhibition opened to the general public meaning the crowds were at a bare minimum. Having worked at exhibitions before I'm very aware of just how busy they can be and I've heard IMATS weekend can be even busier!

The event ran from 2pm to 7pm and I arrived at around 3pm and stayed for about an hour which gave me more than enough time to browse all of the exhibitors and pick up the pieces I wanted. The event itself was quite quiet when I was there, there were a few talks held but I missed most of them - I had plans for Friday evening so I couldn't stay until the end and I was worried the snow would arrive and I'd be stuck at Ally Pally!

Here's a look at what I bought...

Essentials

L-to-R: Bioderma Crealine H2O, Real Techniques Core Collection, Real Techniques Stippling Brush, Embryolisse.

Bioderma Crealine H2O - I picked this up from the Guru Makeup Emporium stand and I've used it every day since. It is absolutely brilliant and so far it's the only thing I've found that completely removes Benefit They're Real! mascara.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre - I've been meaning to pick some of this up for ages but I couldn't find anywhere that stocked in so when I saw it on the Embryolisse stand I pounced! I've used it a few times since Friday and it's a beautiful moisturiser. 

Real Techniques Core Collection (contains - contour brush, angled foundation brush, detailer brush, buffing brush) - apologies for the dirty buffing brush; I used it this morning and have used it since Friday and I really like it. I love how it creates a truly flawless base. I've yet to wash it so I don't know how it washes and I haven't used the other brushes yet so I can't comment on them either.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I've yet to try this but it feels beautiful! The bristles are really dense and stable.

Illamasqua Kabuki - I've had my eye on this for so long yet even with my pro discount I've felt unable to justify the price so when I saw it was only £10 at IMATS I practically sprinted to the till!

Eve Pearl Black Eyelash Adhesive - I'm yet to try this but I've wanted a black eyelash glue for a while and as this was £4, I couldn't resist.

Makeup

NYX Lip Liners (L-toR; top to bottom) - Fuschia, Pale Pink, Plush Red, Rose.

Lovely lip liners and beautifully pigmented, I wore Plush Red on Friday night along with another product I bought at IMATS at it lasted all night despite drinking/eating. 

NYX Jumbo Pencil - Milk

NYX - Condealer in a Jar (Green)

NYX - Glitter in Disco Ball

NYX - Salon Formula Nail Polish in 215 Multi Glitter

OCC Lip Tar (L-to-R) - Pagent, Harlot, Memento.

These little beauties pack a serious punch, they're super pigmented and you only need the tiniest amount of product. I wore Harlot out on Friday night over the NYX pencil and it did not budge. Amaze!

Did you attend IMATS this year? What did you think/buy?

Vicky xoxo

TAG: Nail Polish

I saw this tag on xbonjourbelle earlier and fancied giving it a go. If you would like to do this tag then I tag you all - please leave your post in the comments so I can read it :)

 credit: weheartit

1. What is your favourite nail polish company?

I have a few; for high end I love OPI and Nails Inc and when it comes to High Street brands I really like Barry M and Rimmel. Illamasqua also make divine nail polish.

2. Glitter or no glitter?

Glitter all the way!

3. OPI, China Glaze or Essie?

OPI. China Glaze are a bit hit and miss for me and I'm yet to try Essie.

4. When do you change your nail polish?

Usually as soon as it chips! I do tend to get bored quite quickly and depending on my mood and the time I have available I can go from changing it every day to leaving it for a week!

5. What is your favourite colour on your nails?

This changes all the time - one colour I always return to though is OPI 'Lincoln Park After Dark', it's such a staple.

6. Darks or brights?

Both! I love a really deep, dark nail polish but I also love bright orange or neon pink. I don't bother with seasonal colours either - if I want to wear black in summer and teal in winter, I will!

7. What are you wearing on your nails right at this moment?

Nubar - Knight's Armour

8. Matte nails: in or out?

I like them so in!

9. French Manicure?

Love a French manicure! It's picked up a bit of a bad rep over the past few years for being tacky but I still don't think you can beat a classic French manicure.

10. Favourite Winter Colour?

OPI 'Lincoln Park After Dark', 'Russian Navy', Chanel 'Rouge Noir'.

As I mentioned at the start, I tag you all :)

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Vicky xoxo

NOTD: Double Decker Red

I love a good red nail polish as much as I love a classic red lip and Rimmel Double Decker Red is without a doubt one of my favourite reds! It's opaque after just one coat and it's just the right shade.

On a different note - I'm going to IMATS tomorrow to the Pro event and I am SOOOO excited. I've never been to IMATS before and I really can't wait to have a browse and spend some money so expect a few posts on that in the coming days - I may even try to vlog but don't hold me to it!

Have a lovely day!

Vicky xoxo

VIDEO: What's In My Bag

I finally filmed another video this morning and I thought I'd jump on the ever popular What's In My Bag bandwagon so here's what I carry in my bag:



Let me know what you think and what you carry in your bag! Also, any requests - feel free to leave them below!

Have a lovely weekend!

Vicky xoxo

How To: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Summer from Nothin' fancy. Really. left a comment on my 'Bargains and Baking' post to ask if I would post the Red Velvet recipe I use so here it is :) It is originally from the Hummingbird Bakery book however I have slightly adapted it - mainly with the icing, opting not to use cream cheese.

Ingredients: for the cupcakes

• 120g (4oz) unsalted butter
• 300g (10 1/2 oz) caster sugar
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 20g (3/4 oz) cocoa powder
• 40ml (1 1/2 fl oz) red food colouring
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tsp salt
• 300g (10 1/2 oz) plain flour
• 240ml (8 1/2 fl oz) buttermilk

Ingredients: for the icing

• 300g (10 1/2 oz) unsalted butter
• 600g (1lb 5oz) icing sugar 
• Approx. 2 tbsp milk/buttermilk

Preparation time: 15-20 minutes

Baking time: 18-20 minutes

Makes: 12-16 cupcakes

Instructions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 190° (gas mark 5) and line a 12-hole muffin tray with muffin/cupcake cases.
2. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and use an electric whisk to cream the butter and sugar together for a minimum of 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating with the whisk after each egg is added.
3. In a separate bowl, stir the cocoa powder, food colouring and vanilla essence together until they form a paste. Add this paste into the batter created in the large bowl.
4. Sift together the flour and salt in another bowl, before adding half to the batter and mixing with the whisk.
5. Add half of the butter milk to the batter and whisk again.
6. Add the remaining flour-salt mixture and whisk again.
7. Add the last half of the buttermilk and whisk until the batter has a smooth consistency.
8. Spoon the batter evenly into the cake cases and cook on the middle shelf of the oven for approximately 18-20 minutes or until the cakes are springy and you can remove an inserted skewer cleanly.
9. Set the cakes aside to cool.
10. In a new bowl, use an electric whisk to mix together the butter and icing sugar, adding a small amount of milk/buttermilk to create a thick but spreadable icing.
11. Once the cakes have cooled, ice to your preference using either a piping bag or a flat palette knife.

Tips

• The better quality of your food colouring, the better the colour of your cupcakes
• Using an electric whisk combines the ingredients far more effectively than mixing by hand

I hope that was helpful, if you have any further questions; please ask!

Vicky xoxo

Bargains and Baking

Before I get into this post I just wanted to quickly say thank you for the lovely comments on the '2011 Favourites' video I posted! I'm hoping to film a 'What's in my bag?' and a 'Haircare routine' this week as well as any other suggestions you may have so if there's anything you would like to see - please comment and let me know.

So, work has been pretty hectic for me over Christmas and New Year but when it hasn't been, I've been baking up a storm. Above are Red Velvet cupcakes that I made last week. They were divine!

Meet my new baby... I picked up this coat today in the Oasis sale for a bargainous £35, down from £95! I did see this coat when it was full price and I fell in love but I refuse to spend £95 on a coat when I have an insane amount - I love a coat and a quick mental count on the way home from the shop saw my coat/trench tally reach 15. I think I may have a problem.

I'm not one for sale shopping if I'm perfectly honest - I find the sale items really aren't worth the effort, stress and elbow damage of getting to the bottom of a pile of tops that I never would have paid full price for. When I do browse a sale rail I will always ask myself one main question: would I have paid full price? The answer is rarely yes!!

Have you picked up any bargains in the sales this year? 

Have a lovely week! 

Vicky xoxo

OPI Giveaway Winner!

Firstly, Happy New Year! I hope you have a happy, healthy and wonderful 2012!

As you know, my giveaway closed at midnight last night and I used random.org to generate the winner today and it picked....

CONFESSIONS OF A MAKEUPAHOLIC!

As you can see, I started from #2 because Lonneke who was the first comment opted out of the giveaway.

Thanks to everyone who entered and keep your eyes peeled for a personalised makeup giveaway soon.

Vicky xoxo