MY WORK ~ BLACK & WHITE SKIN

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol [playplay creations]

MY WORK ~ SUN, SAND & SOUL

A little something to break up all the sexy and bring a little lifestyle to my book. I love this story and the way Vaughan has used design elements to give it a completely different look and feel.

Tarryn wears a Buzzdi bikini.

Laura, Tarryn and Kyla all wear Buzzdi bikinis.

Laura wears a Volcom bikini. Tarryn wears a Rip Curl bikini.

Kyla wears a Buzzdi bikini and Rip Curl top, then a Rip Curl bikini.  Laura wears a Buzzdi bikini.

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol from playplay creations

LINK LOVE ~ BUBBLE FREE NAILS

The ladies at The Beauty Department are amazing. It's my first blog to check every morning and it should be your second ;)

Have a look here for a great article on how to avoid bubble in your nail polish.

WISH LIST ~ FOUNDATIONS

Finding the right foundation can be a tough nut to crack...so imagine having to have the right foundation for every possible skin type in one kit!

Powders, creams, liquids, airbrush, sheer, medium & full coverage, matte finish...you can see where I'm going here, right?

There are a LOT of foundations I have my eye on and many that I plan to test out while in the States, here are just a few...

[1] Koh Gen Do moisture foundation - True HD liquid foundation.... truly pricey too!

[2] Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation - Celebrities and models swear by this foundation, however professional makeup artist reviews liken it to Face & Body foundation. I'd like to draw my own conclusions.

[3] Mehron Celebre Pro HD makeup palette - Nothing but amazing reviews, this is a definite purchase.

[4] Cover FX total coverage cream foundation - I'm interested in using full coverage cream foundations as concealers...

[5] Dolce & Gabbana perfect finish creaming foundation - Pat McGrath had a hand in formulating this. I reckon it's worth a look.

[6] Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser - Loved by many, this is a personal purchase in my quest to wear light, sheer foundations.

[7] MAQ Pro palette - Based in Paris, MAQ is truly a PRO makeup store and offers completely personalized palettes. Made from natural waxes, water repellant.

[8] Makeup forever Face & Body - Available in SA but much cheaper in Duty Free. 'Nuff said.

I'm sure to come across other exciting foundations and I'll be sure to get samples and review them while traveling.

MY WORK ~ PLAYING IN THE DARK [SWIMWEAR EDITORIAL]

Sometimes swimwear editorials can be overtly sexy and seemed forced. I'm not going to name any names, but I'm growing weary of the "copy & paste" we get served year after year.

This is why this shoot is one of my faves...captured moments, fun in the sand and straight up exquisite beauty. It was also fun to shoot at night although we did have a horror movie moment ;)

Kyla from Ice Models wears a Country Road monokini

Laura from Major Models wears a Woolworths monokini

Kyla from Ice Models wears a Country Road monokini

Tarryn from Outlaws Models wear a Fox bikini

Laura from Major Models wears a Woolworths monokini

Tarryn from Outlaws Models wear a Fox bikini

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Me [Candice Mac Nicol from playplay creations]

MY WORK ~ KYLA CLOSE

Kyla wears a Volcom bikini bottom

Kyla wears a Terrence Bray bikini top and Buzzdi bikini bottom

Kyla wears a Volcom bikini bottom

Kyla wears a Tasha's bikini bottom

Kyla from Ice Models...I don't have enough nice things to say about this beautiful woman...she really has become a friend!

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol [playplay creations]

WISH LIST ~ PRIMERS

Part 2 of my "I hope I saved enough to buy everything I want" wish list.

[1] Laura Geller Spackle ~ This is getting a lot of hype and I'd like to test it out and see what all the fuss is about.

[2] Clean & Clear oil absorbing sheets ~ no brainer.

[3] Skindinavia Makeup finishing spray (the original) ~ Again, lots of hype....like A LOT.

WISH LIST ~ SKINCARE

You may have heard that I am going to Los Angeles in May? No? Well let me catch you up...In May, I'm off to LA, New York, Honolulu and maybe Las Vegas. Tough life.

So as you can imagine, I have a shopping list of epic proportions. I'll narrow it down once I'm able to test the products, but going off the reviews I've read and recommendations received I'd like to share my list with you. If you have any experience or advice, please feel free to comment :)

I'll start with my skincare wish list. Being a makeup artist isn't just about making pretty faces; it's also about caring for and looking after the skin under your makeup. Not only does this make for a happy model, it also creates a flawless foundation for your makeup and makes your work look even better!

[1] Graftobian OxyDerm Moisturizer ~ I've heard good things and need an easily absorbed moisturizer for my kit.

[2] Kiehls Line-reducing Eye-brightening Concentrate ~ Yes, this is for my personal kit but I hear it works wonders on dark circles....my nemesis!

[3] Lierac Demaquillant Douceur ~ I currently use Bioderma Sensibio H20 solution which I absolutely love and it is a staple among MUA's worldwide, however I'd like to test the Lierac version.

[4] SkinCeuticals Suncare ~ Too many MUA's rely on the SPF in a foundation to protect the skin because it's tough to find a suncare lotion that absorbs quickly and doesn't shine or reflect light. I currently use La Melle sunscreen [out of my personal stash!] because I refuse to let a model go out into the sun all day with no protection.

[5] Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate Fluide Hydratant ~ Another kit staple, this all over body lotion needs to be in my life....and on any of the models I work on :)

MY WORK ~ TARRYN TAYLOR

Tarryn wears a Volcom bikini

Tarryn wears a Rip Curl bikini

Tarryn wears a Buzzdi monokini

Tarryn wears a Buzzdi monokini

Tarryn from Outlaws Models is a striking beauty with a killer body!

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol [playplay creations]

MY WORK ~ LAURA SCOTT

Laura wears a Buzzdi Bikini

Laura wears a Tasha's bikini

Tarryn wears a Buzzdi bikini and Laura wears a Tasha's bikini

Laura wears a Woolworths top

Laura wears a Woolworths top

Laura from Major Models (Fusion Models Cpt) is something else! Too easy to work with and not particularly hard to look at....see what I mean??!

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol [playplay creations]

MY WORK ~ PONTA DO OURA SWIMWEAR EDITORIAL

You may recall I went to Mozambique last week. Not only did I drink R&R's, each seafood and swim with dolphins...I made friends with these beauties.

Multi tasking. It's how I roll.

I am beyond happy...nay, thrilled, with these pics!

 Laura [from Major Models NY] wears Terrence Bray kaftan, Volcom bikini and Sass Diva rings.

Laura [from Major Models NY] wears Terrence Bray kaftan, Volcom bikini and Sass Diva rings.

Kyla [from Ice Models] wears a Buzzdi bikini.

Tarryn [from Outlaws Models] wears a Zara shirt, Buzzdi bikini and Taryn Coleman bracelet.
Kyla [from Ice Models] wears a Rip Curl bikini and Sass Diva bracelets.

Tarryn [from Outlaws Models] wears a Buzzdi monokini and jewelry by Sass Diva.

Tarryn [from Outlaws Models] wears a bracelet by Sass Diva.
Laura [from Major Models NY] wears Terrence Bray monokini and Sass Diva bracelets.

Kyla [from Ice Models] wears a Country Road monokini, Flocks 2 Locks feather extensions and Sass Diva necklace.

There's more where this came from, my lovelies...

Photographer: Vaughan Treyvellan
Makeup & Hair: Candice Mac Nicol