CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT

I was never taught the different ways to contour and highlight various eye and face shapes, so I've devoured everything I find online and in makeup books. It is hugely important to analyse the face and decide where you're going to place the makeup...what to enhance and what to hide....rather than just "copy & paste" the same look on all your models.

It's a nuance in skill that most people (even clients and colleagues in the industry) may not notice but quality shows and you'll find that even though the makeup might be the same, your models will always look their best.

I find a lot of these on tumblr which I reblog, so make sure to follow me on TUMBLR for more useful little snippets like these!

Source: Here, here, here, here and here.

IN MY BAG ~ BRUSH GUARD & BRUSH CASE

These little babies are amazing! I use them just after I've cleaned my brushes and I allow the brushes to dry in the guard. My brushes look like new and I know they are going to last for ages. I don't like using the guards when travelling because they can slide down and pull the bristles out of shape, so I only use them when drying.

Inexpensive and effective. I know I'll get more and that they'll be in my kit forever!

I've had my eye on these for a while and I finally did the nasty and put them on the credit card! I bought two and I love them. It's not easy getting the blush/powder brushes in there [it's a tight fit] and I think they could be that *tiny* bit bigger but at least I know my brushes are protected.

They are multi-purpose and a great addition to my kit.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Have a safe, fun, crazy, epic holiday and here's to 2012 rocking our socks!

NEW MASCARA APPLICATION

I love this technique and have used it a couple times when I was going for a very natural, light application. It works incredibly well - no clumps!

MY WORK ~ FRANCOIS VEDEMME 031 COLLECTION

I love these. So proud.

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Me [Candice Mac Nicol / playplay creations]
Model: Skye from Ice Models

LINK LOVE ~ FASHION GONE ROGUE

Love love love!!

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

MY WORK ~ BEAUTY WITH ANKE

I've made it my mission this year to work with new photographers and one of these shoots was with Justin Dallas.

We worked with the beautiful Anke from Outlaws Models / Models International, who makes taking a bad photo an impossibility!

The idea was to work with pink and use it in different applications on the face.....eyes, lips, cheeks etc. Here are some of the images from the shoot:

I'm hoping to see more from the shoot because every shot with Anke is killer!

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ STYLE DESIGN COLLEGE SHOW 2011

Such a great show with a cool team! This was the first show I have keyed on make up and hair :)

I love working with the Style Design College crew and I was well impressed with some of the designs I saw from the students.

BEHIND THE SCENES ~ FRANCOIS VEDEMME 031 COLLECTION

Dusting off my make up after the shoot. Baby powder is messy as all hell!

Designer: Francois Vedemme

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan

Make up & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol

Model: Skye from Ice Models

MY WORK ~ PORTRAITS FROM TESTS

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan

Make up & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol

Styling: Candice Drury

Models: Kendall and Zama from Ice Models