Month: December 2011

All That Glitters

New Years Eve is all about the Glitz and Glamour…so don’t shy away from adding a touch of sparkle to your Holiday look tonight!  I love adding an extra helping of drama to my New Years Eve Makeup, it’s the perfect excuse to let loose and have a little fun with your makeup.  Everything about NYE screams “over the top”, why should your makeup be any different?  Adding a little twinkle to your eyes with products like M.A.C’s Gold Glitter will give your look more of a whimsical fee; your eyes will sparkle with each bat of your lashes.  A good rule of thumb is to pair this look with a soft nude lip, your eyes should take center stage.

Living in London has been great for picking up new style tips and tricks.  Everyone has their own unique sense of style and they’re not afraid to share it.  Fancy dress parties are just one example of how the Brits love being over the top when it comes to dressing up for a night out.  I have been recruited to one such party this year and look forward to going all out and adding a little shimmer to my look.  Check out a few of my most coveted looks for NYE parties this year.

This look makes me cry is so damn sexy!  Add some crystals to the bottom of your eye, using tweezers and some lash adhesive.  Balance out this look with think winged out liner and some dramatic false lashes…love love love!

For a dark, sultry look this NYE try going a little retro with a deep smokey eye and vampy red lips.

This look is stunning.  I love how it looks slightly messy but gorgeous at the same time.  This look is not for the perfectionist, but will get loads of attention!  Keep your skin and lips fairly nude to achieve the best results.

This look is perfect for those brave makeup mavens out there.  The best way to achieve this look is to apply the glitter to a set of false lashes before applying to your eye.  I’ve brushed my false lashes with a gel mixing medium, try MAC’s, and then carefully dipped them into glitter.  Allow the lashes to set completely before applying to you lids.

*To achieve any of the looks above a good tip to keeping your glitter “on” your eye, and not “in” your eye is to apply a light lip gloss to your lids before carefully applying your glitter with a flat brush.

Happy New Year! xoxo

Kim and Garath’s Rustic Barn Wedding

Summer Weddings are my absolute favourite…and Kim and Gareth’s Rustic Barn Themed Wedding did not disappoint.  Pete Brennan from One Earth Photography  took full advantage of the down home style setting at the barn Abbottsford.  I loved all of Pete’s creative, chic shots, it was so hard to choose just a few to share with you here. I was so happy to have the help of one of All Dolled Up Studio’s Senior Stylists, Tracey Le.  Tracey’s gorgeous hair and makeup creations on one of Kim’s Sister’s and Mother was done beautifully…this girl kicks some serious butt in the studio and I’m thrilled to bits to have her on my team!


Upon first meeting Kim, Gareth and their gorgeous baby girl Clodagh, I was immediately struck by how sweet they were.  Kim is not only gorgeous, but incredibly nice.  On her wedding day she was so calm, relaxed and clearly overjoyed by her upcoming nuptials to hubby-to-be Gareth.  It was really amazing to be a part of their special day together as a family.

Pete Brennan’s photos are some of my favourite because he really captured all the key ingredients of this unique barn themed wedding in his images.  I loved the image of Kim in her beautiful white dress shot against the bright red barn door , and Kim and her sister’s laughing uncontrollable all whilst playing in the grassy field, so pretty!

The Great Mascara Debate

I’ve asked some friends and recent clients what their biggest beauty dilemma was…what do you struggle with most when getting yourself “All Dolled Up”. Most of you replied that you are constantly searching for the perfect mascara…join the club.

Finding that perfect mascara can be like searching for “The Holy Grail” of beauty products. There are literally hundreds of choices out there…lengthening, thickening, plumping, curling, nourishing, clear, black, colored…the list goes on and on. So how is a girl supposed to pick the perfect one?

The most important thing to remember is that everyone is different, so finding the right mascara means finding out what works best for YOU. I’ve put together a basic list to help you narrow down the perfect mascara.

MASCARA TIPS AND TRICKS:

If you’re looking for a mascara that promisses to add lots of Length for all those Butterfly Kisses than always look for a long slender brush. The long, slender bristles slip between lashes easily, allowing for maximum length with very few clumps.

All Dolled Up Favs:

Loreal double Extend Tubes
Kevyn Auccoin Volume Macara- Sephora
Benefit They’re Real Mascara- Benefit Cosmetics
Loreal Voluminous
Blinc Kiss Me Mascara- Sephora

If you’re looking for a great Mascara to add lot’s of extra Volume and Drama for those Saucy night out on the town, then reach for a mascara with a nice fat brush. The fatter brush plumps and thickens your lashes.

All Dolled Up Favs:

Loreal Voluminous
MAC Haute and Naughty Lash- M.A.C.
Max Factor Calorie 2000
Covergirl Lash Blast

We can’t talk about Mascara without discussing the different types of wands:

Curved Wands: Curl and lift your lashes from root to tip.

Long Straight Wands: Designed to cover each lash evenly.

Hour Glass Shaped Wands: Creates a wide eyed look by lengthening the inner and outer lashes.

Rubber Bristled Wand: Rubber bristles help to prevent clumping. They come with longer sparse bristles to add length and separate and short tight bristles to add volume.

Lash Comb Wands:  These brushes really help to separate lashes and remove any clumps. They are great for adding length to already thick lashes.

I hope these recommendation have helped to narrow down the great Mascara debate.

Happy Shopping Dolls, XOXO