m.a.c cosmetics Alluring Aquatic-Bronzing Powder-Golden

     Mac cosmetics dropped their new Alluring Aquatic collection this summer, again, never cease to amaze me, it is the first time I have seen anything like that from mac, the packaging is a mirrored teal metallic chrome finish, super fancy, even has mock water droplets on it, applauds to the amount of effort they put in the packaging, even the box they come in with has the droplets on it. 

     This eye catching collection has various products and many flattering shades, just imagine that broad smile and excitement on every girls face when they see it at the counter. Packaging definitely became the star of this collection.

     Although some of the colors are re promoted but that didn't seem to stop anyone, most of them were sold out already on the Australia site within 1 to 2 weeks, and I myself just had to get something to remember such a unique and different collection.

     I got the powder bronzer from the collection, given that it is the product that has a complete case, showing off those droplets, I have used their bronzer powders before, called refined golden (described as a finely spun golden with soft pearl), nice "standard'' bronzing shades, applies easily and blends out smoothly also giving a very nice bronzy glow to your cheeks, but can look orange if you apply it too heavy handed. 

     Golden is described as a muted golden tan beige with shimmer, it is definitely a lighter bronzer shade for me since I have medium skin (NC30-35), but it works well for me as a bronzer or as a universal shade, I could use it as a bronzer by applying it a little bit heavier handed, or just a blush or highlight with light application, it would look nice as just a wash of color across the lid too. So, If you have fair skin and are looking for a nice gold bronzer shade, this would be it for you.

Check out a super detailed review of the whole collection by Temptalia : here.  

I just can't get over how good the water droplets look.

xx

♥

ZOEVA Professional Makeup Brushes : Rose Golden Luxury Set

ZOEVA Professional Make Up Brushes, 

Rose Golden Luxury Set.

  A makeup geek is never satisfied with the number of brushes she has. But quality always overcome quantity.And this set of new found love I have right here nails just about everything you can ask for, soft bristles, no wires sticking out trying to scratch your sensitive skin, very firm handles, none of the shedding problems like your fluffy feline would, and especially having the beautiful rose gold wrapped around every brush. You just can't pass this.

   Introducing, ZOEVA brushes. Zoeva is a cosmetic brand based in Germany, mainly focusing on brushes, you can find most of the m.a.c brushes dupes here, they are just as compatible as the mac ones. I was introduced to this brand from a friend of mine who also ordered a few off their website out of curiosity and turned out loving them and went back for more, so naturally, I went ahead and ordered a set as well, the rose gold set caught my eye as soon as I got to their website.

   The rose gold luxury set gives you 8 beautiful brushes that comes with a beautiful sleek classy clutch that matches the brushes, and an extra dust bag for you to place everything in. Very impressed by these brushes, everything has been done to the best, like I mentioned earlier, no shedding (we all know that's one of our worst fears when it comes to cleaning them, and if the handles fall off after a while, big no no.) very soft, dense, beautiful design.With good maintenance they can stay with you for a good number of years. 

Eye Brushes -

142/ Concealer Buffer - small dome shape dense brush

227/ Luxe Soft Definer - soft peddle brush

231/ Petit Crease - pencil brush

317/ Wing Liner - angled liner brush

Face Brushes - 

102/Silk Finish - Dome shaped round buffer brush

106/Powder - Big fluffy powder brush 

110/Face Shape - Small domed round buffer brush 

127/Luxe Sheer Cheek - angled face brush 

xx

♥

Featuring this week : Raymand Chan from Portfolio Make-up School

If you didn't know already, I fly back to my Home city, Hong Kong every year during the summer holidays to get away from the heat in Australia, also visiting all my friends and family.

 And this time I find myself repeatingly visiting the portfolio make-up school to give support to a friend of mine, Raymond, who is just starting as a student at this school. He's a very dear friend of mine and has been working very hard since the first day of his course in becoming a make up artist.

Check out his Facebook page : here
so give him a thumbs up and some support :)

Starting in the beauty industry nowadays isn't easy comparing to what I have heard than in the old days, now that there are so many platforms and different ways to get yourself out there, like the huge and still growing beauty community on YouTube, all the talented artists you can find on Instagram with just one click and a couple simple hash tags. So many competitors in this industry.It's not easy, but with good efforts, any dream can come true. 

Here is some of his work that he has done on different models :)

I hope you enjoyed this post , 

and Raymand, I wish you all the best, enjoy your journey to the top

Have fun .

xx

♥

Concept shoot =Broken Dolls= with Michael Bellis

During this past summer break I spent in Hong Kong, Michael Bellis, who is a brilliant freelance photographer has kindly asked me to join one of his concept shoots doing the models makeup, which the theme of the shoot was inspired by antique glass dolls, broken dolls that is, dolls with cracked imperfections. I was delighted to join the team along with other brilliant people and Michael himself.

Link to Michael's website

MJphotographyHK on Facebook 

While I was there I have also gotten a chance to finally

 meet Jess Wu, also known as the beautiful Hak Me; YouTuber/Reviewer Blogger on YouTube,

and she has vlogged the whole process and behind the scenes and made a video of it, definitely check it out guys !

Link to HakMe's Youtube Channel (in Chinese) :)

Link to HakMe's Youtube Channel in English 

Hope you liked that video !

The photos below are the four models we had on the day of the shoot on set, I loooove how the photos turned out, everyone did an amazing job.

Model : Hera Kwan (Makeup by me)

The makeup for each model were done individually by four different makeup artists, but all in the same manner and style in order to stay consistent to the theme. White face, cracked faces and dark eyes, it was all good fun, especially creating the fine detailed cracks on their faces. 

Models : Karen Leong / Sell Wong / Hera Kwan / Wincy Hocc

In addition to the hair and makeup, we also had the privilege to see these beautiful dresses and shoes in action, they were out of this world, very different, very special, extremely appropriate for this theme.

The beautiful shoes were from Irregular choice which was a UK brand created and designed by Dan Sullivan. Very beautiful detailing, complimented every outfit.

Model : Karen Leong

Model : Sell Wong / Karen Leong / Hera Kwan / Wincy Hocc

This picture is my favorite, all the outfits were very well put together,the color contrast, texture, all looked so nice. I especially adore those socks with the nice gold patterns on it, the red shoes Wincy was wearing were absolutely stunning and the green dress which Sell was wearing with the shiny outstanding feathers.

Model : Sell Wong

This container that you see in this picture was actually a little light house for candles that was decades old which Michael found in an antique store, which the help of awesome software, here the models are shrunken and put in it. Loved the idea.

Model : Wincy Hocc

I can't express how happy I am to have had this chance to participate in Micheal's concept shoot, I have met so many brilliant people, learnt so much and done so much new things that I have not done before which most definitely gave me more experience in this field :). Great big thank you to everyone.

Photographer : 

Michael Bellis

Models :
Sell Wong 
 Hera Kwan
 Karen Leong 
 Wincy Hocc

MakeUp Artists : 

Karrie Yum

Yannie Lee

Carol Wong

Me myself 

Hair stylist :

Jay Yeung

Nail artist: 

Alice Nok Cheung

Team : 

HakMe aka Jess Wu

Harris Hui 

Saima HZ

 Melanie Cook

I will write a separate post about the makeup I did in detail on Hera along with more pictures!
Hope you enjoyed reading this post, stay tuned !
xx
♥

MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Skinfinish : Magnetic Appeal

mac came out with a nude collection recently which is no way to just walk pass by and not get my hands on anything

There were three colors, Fairly Precious : peach with green pearl sheen. Maganetic Appeal : medium tan with gold sheen. Superb : soft peach with lots of shimmer. 

Magnetic Appeal got my attention the most so I picked up that one, 

the texture is out of this world, super soft and silky, very pigmented and blends very easily and gives you a very nice glow to your skin. The color is very universal, works very well on light to medium to dark skin, can use it as an eyeshadow, highlighter, bronzer, blusher even on the lips.

xx
♥