LINK LOVE ~ NUMERO #126

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

FREE FONTS

Guess what I've been doing all morning...




You artsy-fartsy types are gonna lose it. Genuine.

LINK LOVE ~ MARIE CLAIRE ITALIA

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

GET YOUR FIX

...no matter where you are....

 

                                                                                         Source: s3.amazonaws.com via April on Pinterest

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Q & A ~ MAKE UP RECOMMENDATIONS [from SUSAN]

                                                                                Source: mmmakeupmonster.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

"Hi Candice.
This might be a bit of an unfair question, but here goes. I really love the Lisa Eldrige videos that you post. However I find that she uses so many products and many of them are not available in SA. Or should I rather say i feel overwhelmed by all the different products out there.

They are expensive so it’s hard to test and see what works. So my question is, do you have a no-fail make-up brand/s that you can recommend?

I really enjoy your posts, they have been very helpful. Susan"


[From The Pretty Blog]

Hi Susan,

Thanks for contacting me and I understand where you're coming from! We're promised amazing results and flawless makeup from products that just don't deliver; it's tough (and expensive) to go out there and find the perfect makeup for our individual needs.

It's difficult, no impossible, for me to tell you which products are "no-fail" because everyones' skin is unique and reacts differently....we all expect various things from our products too. Personally, I prefer a dewy, sheer finish to my foundation but someone else might like a matte finish.

The one thing I can say is....Ask for samples! Especially from the more expensive brands. Don't let the "makeup consultant" apply it for you and then send you home. Test it yourself, feel the product, experience the application. You will also need a few days to test it to see how your skin reacts to the product. Also ask for a sample and if they don't have, ask them to decant some of the tester into a container for you. Brands that do this include: MAC, Chanel, Inglot and many others!

Know what you expect from a product before you go looking for it. For example; do you want your concealer to be sheer, matte, thick, with a yellow undertone etc? Then when you get into the store, you know exactly what to ask for.

Either way, it does take time and a lot of trial and error to find something perfect. I do a lot of research online, I take home tons of samples and I'm constantly talking to friends, makeup artists and the "makeup consultants" to find out what works for them.

Also remember that your makeup needs might change according to seasons, age, stress etc.

I'm sorry I couldn't give you specific products Susan, but if there's anything in particular you're interested in buying, mail me first and I'll let you know if I've used it and what I think.

Oh PS: Please don't buy anything based purely on the advert. Cosmetic companies walk a very, very fine line between fantasy and reality in their advertising!

[editor's note: I'll post one Q & A each week. If you have a question or need advice, please use this form and I'll be sure to answer as soon as possible!]

MY WORK ~ TERRENCE BRAY SUMMER 11 CAMPAIGN

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan (he also created the original prints for Terrence from photographs he took of Terrence's backyard)
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol
Styling: Terrence Bray

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ ICE MODELS TESTS

BEHIND THE SCENES - TERRENCE BRAY SUMMER 11

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ DC SHOES

Q & A ~ RED LIP RULES [from ISOBEL]

 

"Hi Candice

I have dark hair and think that I can pull off red lips. My question: is this still a trend for this winter. If so, what are the rules for wearing red lips and what should the make-up on the rest of the face look like.

Thanks for all your great advice. Isobel"


[from The Pretty Blog]

Hi Isobel,

Thanks for such a great question! A lot of ladies have asked about the bold, bright lip trend happening for winter and spring, particularly the red lip. It is a huge trend and one that's so easy to follow!

I am a firm believer that anyone can do a red lip - you just need to find the right shade and undertone for your skin colour. You can get red lipsticks with a cool, blue undertone or with a warm, orange undertone.

For flawless bold lip application I use a small angled brush like the MAC 208 brush [in fact I use this for lips, eye liner and eye brows!] This brush gets the colour into the corners and bow of your lips perfectly.  If you are worried about the lipstick bleeding into any fine lines, line your lips with a similar colour and blend it into your lipstick - or only use a lipliner for a lasting finish!

There are also some amazing lip stains out there [I use Palladio from Dischem] and they are super easy to apply and last for hours!

With regards to the rest of your makeup, keep it simple, clean and fresh [matte is not the look this year, lots of dewy cheeks!]. Lots of mascara and add a thin line of eyeliner for an evening look.

Remember, no matter what new makeup you try, practice makes perfect, so keep going until you feel confident. Red lips are timeless!

Chat soon,

Cands xxx

[editor's note: I'll post one Q & A each week. If you have a question or need advice, please use this form and I'll be sure to answer as soon as possible!]

FREE PEOPLE KNOW HAIR

Free People know boho hair. They even show you how to do it!

{PS: They now ship to South Africa. Such beautiful clothes, but I'll be buying from the sale section}

Source: Free People youtube

HAIR ~ TWISTED!

Braids are everywhere. Fact.

They're great for summer to keep hair neat and away from the face but still stylish and feminine.

Here's another great tutorial from The Beauty Department! {click link for full description}

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ RIP CURL

 

I had the pleasure of working with the Rip Curl ladies team last week and I really hope I can work with them again in the future.  

It's always nice working with a team who knows what they like and they are decisive in decision making - It's a strength and makes for a fun and stress-free shoot.

Our models were Kelly from Ice Models and Wanda from Models International. I had an hour to do their hair and makeup, which was tight but I'm proud to say I did it and with my usual standard of quality. Unfortunately due to gale-force winds, the soft, tussled hair was blown out...occupational hazard!

HAIR VIDEOS - BIG OR CASCADING BRAID?

Source: Bella Mumma

LINK LOVE ~ RECENT EDITORIALS

Click image to see full editorial.

Images source: Fashion Gone Rogue

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ BLACK HAWK

{See full shoot here}

Q & A ~ CREAM EYE SHADOW HOW-TO {from ALIDA}

"Hi Cands,

Thanks – great tutorial! A friend of mine asked me to be her matron of honour for her wedding, and to do her make-up! Flattering as this is, I’ve never done bridal make-up! So I have a couple of questions:

1) I really want to get some MAC paint pots (for her but also for me)… how long does it last before it dries out?
2) What are the must-have brushes? I’m just doing a natural look (like the one you describe above).
3) Any tips for a totally inexperienced beginner?

Thanks!
Alida"


{from The Pretty Blog}


Hi Alida,

First things first, have fun! I recently did the make up for my best friends wedding (while being matron of honour too!) and it was such an incredible experience - enjoy it!

With regards to cream eye shadows (pot paints) I currently use and am very happy with the ones I have from MAC, Benefit and Estee Lauder. This type of eye shadow is amazing because it lasts all day and night and it doesn't crease/drop/smudge/cry off! Trust me, it lasted a night of partying in tropical temperatures in Vietnam at the aforementioned wedding!

The cream shadows last quite a while if you keep them in their original, air-tight containers. I've had mine for a couple months and they're still going strong. However I'm sure I will go through my product quicker than you if you're just using it for personal use, so I would recommend keeping an eye on it and if it starts to smell different, toss it!

I use a MAC 217 blending brush for cream shadow applications. Be careful as it picks up a lot of product and you might need to blend it on your hand a little to get an even distribution on the brush. As you work closer into the crease and inner corner of the eye, you will need to use a smaller, more dense brush - the MAC 219 pencil brush works well for this. Just remember to thoroughly clean your brushes after each application as the cream shadows dry quickly and can 'clog" your brushes.

The most important thing to do is work quickly. The cream shadows dry very quickly and you have to blend fast to get soft, natural contours. I often apply it with a brush and then use my finger to blend it out more as the warmth keeps the cream moving a little longer. But never fear, if you make a mistake, use an ear bud with a little eye makeup remover and fix that area.

Practice on a couple girlfriends and experiment with colour! Cream eye shadows have been a saving grace in my experience and they are a much used and appreciate part of my kit!

Have fun and send through some pics, I know you'll do great!

Cands xxx

{editor's note: I'll post one Q & A each week. If you have a question or need advice, please use this form and I'll be sure to answer as soon as possible!} 

MY WORK ~ LILY BIRD SUMMER 11 CAMPAIGN

Updated: Lily Bird video available here  {opens in facebook}

I love this brand! Jess and Jen are always so willing to do it right and get the most beautiful images possible. Every time I shoot with them, I have more fun!

I did the make up, hair and styling again and although it's a lot of work, it just seemed so easy on this shoot. Skye from Ice Models is incredible. Just amazing.

I've had the pleasure of working with Samantha Mayber before and she is so lovely. I hope to work with her again soon...Sam, I'm planning those shoots! ;)

Here are my selects from the Lily Bird Summer 11 campaign which will be proudly added to my (soon to be revamped) website!

Photographer: Samantha Mayber
Model: Skye {Ice Models}
Make up, hair & styling: Candice Mac Nicol
Videographer: Jimmy Reynolds

LINK LOVE ~ PORTRAIT

 

Photographer: Matthew Priestley
Model: Anabella Barber

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

BLOG & PRODUCT REVIEWS POLITICS

 

Source: weheartit.com via B E E Z Y on Pinterest

I'm cross. There are very few legit beauty blogs and I'm always stoked when I find a new one to follow. I take my product research really seriously and I NEVER write any product reviews on my blog that aren't true or if I haven't actually used the product mentioned.

It irks me when "professionals" write blog posts which are copy/pasted from the brands website and they spew forth all types of product promotions that are just not true. Quality over quantity, please!  People trust these professionals and take them at face value and then they waste cash on buying products that are no good.

It's basic honesty and credibility. And if you're getting paid to review the product (either in cash or products), it is misleading marketing if you don't tell the truth. It is not possible to review a product without testing it! If you're just regurgitating what the marketing manager told you at the product launch, you're a moron.

Think for yourself. Learn your craft in it's totality. Question and test and research.

If you're one of those fakers {and they know who they are} step up your game and stop giving other bloggers and make up artists a bad name. You're diluting the credibility of these platforms and the true artists who use them.

Don't sell out for a lipstick. I guarantee you, you will garner more respect in this industry if you actually know what you're talking about...not just announcing product launches.

{editor's note: I've been offered product in exchange for reviews. When I told the brand that I would be completely honest in how I felt about their product {good or bad}, they ran for the hills. Now, either they know their product is crap or they have no confidence in their brand and it's ability to handle public opinion. I'm not here to be hardcore, I just want my readers and clients to know that I'm honest, credible and only use products professionally if I'm willing to use on myself. Oh, and I'm OCD about hygiene. Seriously, it is disturbing how many dirty makeup kits I've seen...would you eat in a bacteria-ridden restaurant? Didn't think so.}