Secrets to Long Lasting Foundation!

-for Oily, Combination Skin

1. Always begin with squeaky clean skin. Remove oils with a toner and follow this with a few sprays of a hydrating mist like La Roche Posay Thermal Spa Water. Hydrating the skin slows down oil production in the skin.
2. Apply a hydrating, oil-free eye gel around the eye area. Apply a suitable moisturiser for oily skin. I love the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo.
3. Use a mattifying primer. My favourite is the Benefit PoreFessional primer. I love the matte and smooth texture it gives plus pores seem to disappear with this stuff. Love it!
4. Choose a foundation that is long-lasting, at least 16-24 hour wear. It should have a matte or demi-matte finish. I keep the MAC Studio Fix Foundation in my kit as it's great for oily skin. A budget friendly foundation would be the L'Oreal True Match Foundation. If you have oily skin but aged 30+, choose a foundation for normal/combination skin instead. Anything too mattifying will give the skin an aged appearance so trust the prepping, primimg and setting of your makeup to do the job for you. I recommend the Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation. 
5. Set your makeup with a loose powder. I prefer Silica based powders for keeping oils at bay, like elf Studio HD Powder. They seem to last so much longer than other powders. Only powder areas you need to like t-zone: forehead; nose; chin, and cheek planes. Finish with a setting spray! This takes away the powdery look and helps the makeup last longer. Urban Decay use the Skindinavia formula as it keeps the surface temperature of the skin lower. Or Maybelline have a cheaper option in their 24Hour Setting Spray.

I hope you gives these techniques a try! As always you can contact me via Facebook. I'm also on Instagram (selinahallinan) and Snapchat (selina_hallinan) all at Selina G Makeup Artist! Thank you and feel free to comment below x

5 Steps to Beautiful Skin in Winter

Skincare is key when it comes to Makeup Application so I've put together a list of advice I regularly give clients this time of year to keep skin looking healthy and radiant!

You want a smooth surface for your makeup to lay over, and not have dry flakes emerge as you buff in your foundation with your fancy, new buffing brush! The more hydrated and moisturised your skin is, the more plump and less wrinkly it is! This is a perfect base for your makeup, and here's how to get it..

****5 Steps to Beautiful Skin in Winter****

• Goodbye Dry! Use creamy cleansing lotion instead of a wash off cleanser. Wash-off cleansers strip the important oils from your skin leaving it feeling dry and tight. Also, exfoliate 1-2 times a week with a gentle scrub to remove all that dead skin. You can use a physical exfoliant like Simple 'Kind To Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub' or a chemical exfoliant with AHA's eg. glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid or & BHA's eg. Salicylic acid to remove the dry skin from the surface and leave skin looking clearer than ever.
• Hydrate immediately after cleansing & use thicker creams instead of lotions. Don't wait for your skin to dry! As soon as you've cleansed go in with your eye gel/cream, then immediately add your serum &/or moisturiser. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is great for plumping up dehydration lines. Retinol creams are perfect for boosting your skins collagen production at night. I love the Ordinary range by Deciem as it's the same quality ingredients at a much lower price. https://www.victoriahealth.com/brand/The-Ordinary/1053 I keep a little sample pot of my usual moisturiser in the shower to apply after exfoliating. If you wait until you reach your dressing table, and your skin feels dry and tight, it's too late..
• Use a soothing, moisturising mask at least once a month during the Winter months. Our skin hasn't evolved to cope with modern central heating systems so adjust your routine.
  
• Avoid dry, stuffy atmospheres by airing offices & rooms, and keep an eye on the humidity levels. Use facial water-sprays, eg. Vichy/La Roche Posay/ Avene Thermal Water to boost your skins hydration levels. Spray before & after makeup & regularly throughout the day!

• Use makeup primer to hold in skin's moisture and help makeup last longer, eg, NYX Illuminating Primer. The silicone base creates a barrier that holds in all that good moisture you've applied. The smooth silicone texture helps makeup glide and blend easily over drier skin. Illuminating primers have the added bonus of light-reflecting pigments, making your skin glow and look more radiant!
  

So 5 ways to adjust your routine for the cold Winter weather with all its central heating and dry air. If you'd like to see more or if you've any questions please don't hesitate to contact me on my Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/selinagmakeu/partist

join me on Snapchat, username selina_hallinan

or Twitter/Instagram @ Selina G Makeup

Learn more by attending my Makeup Workshops! All details on my Facebook Events page:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/selinagmakeupartist/events/?ref=page_internal

Thank you!

Selina x


www.selinagmakeupartist.com

 How to Prevent Wrinkles and Premature Ageing

We all know smoking is one of the top 2 ways we can age prematurely. All that lack of oxygen to the skin really takes it's toll on our skin amongst other things. So what would have the opposite effect of smoking on our skin? Well Oxygen Facials for one. But there's a cheaper way to get extra oxygen pumping to our aesthetic layers and have us looking youthful, blushing and glowing... Exercise!!! Whether its dancing, karate, jogging or walking, all that activity keeps us looking younger, healthier and less wrinkly! Another great reason to get up & about. We can really reduce our biological age with a regular dose of physical activity ;)

The next demon cause of premature ageing is of course Sun Exposure. Exposing our skin to harmful UVA & UVB rays causes uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, freckles, broken capillaries, age spots, cancer and more. We can protect our skin with daily, broad-spectrum, SPF moisturisers with antioxidants. (I have listed my faves below) Good skin requires less foundation make-up & PREVENTION is better than cure!! 
 
So the secret to looking young is to ALWAYS wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. When you're spending time outdoors, apply a good broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent both UVA and UVB rays. Essential for all you outdoors people, gardening, surfing, walking, swimming, running 5K's and all! 

DID YOU KNOW???
A little birdie in Therapie Clinic told me that our computer monitor and laptop screens ALSO emanate UVA rays!! Yes those ones that cause the owl wrinkles an' all.. Another great reason to always wear a daily moisturiser with SPF  ;)

Below are some of my top SPF picks available in most pharmacies, on-line and in department stores. Happy shopping!! :)  <3

My Top Picks! - Moisturisers

The wording on the product is important when buying moisturisers. Look for a day moisturiser that says 'Protecting'. Make sure it has a high SPF Factor, and that it is broad spectrum, i.e. that it blocks both UVA & UVB rays. Look for one with Antioxidant vitamins C and E. These antioxidants mop up the cancer-causing free-radicals that are generated when we are exposed to the sun.

 

• Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex with SPF 30 with antioxidants 60ml €27.50  

  This lightweight lotion with antioxidants provides gentle, broad-spectrum sun protection with a soft, powder-like, finish. Great for those of you who find your skin to be a bit oilier in the Summer. It's also perfect for wearing under make-up and has an SPF of 30! With daily use this lotion will prevent and repair multiple signs of ageing.

Alpha H Protection Plus Daily Moisturiser SPF50, £34.95, alpha-h.com 

This SPF50 moisturiser contains brightening antioxidant Pycnogenol as well as natural UV-absorbers to protect you against ultraviolet light and repair while they do it.

Skinceuticals UV Mineral Defense SPF50, £34, dermacaradirect.co.uk

Suitable for sensitive skin, the Skinceuticals UV Mineral Defense Cream "creates a mattifying, lightweight coverage on your skin without aggrivating the skin’s surface. At SPF50, this cream features broad spectrum protection with effective mineral filters."

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My Top Sunscreen Picks!  <3

Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50, 148ml €20.90

This amazing product from Paula's Choice is my top sunscreen pick and is available on-line at http://bit.ly/1lK1LLY   ;)

This antioxidant-rich sunscreen provides broad-spectrum sun protection without leaving a greasy or waxy film on skin. Formulated for the face and body, it may be worn under make-up and is ideal for outdoor activities because it is very water-resistant. You can buy it on the Paula's Choice Website

Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Dry Touch SPF50+ 50ml €20

In warm weather our skin is much oilier than usual, and often suncreams can be quite greasy! I always repurchase this one as it's great for those prone to breakouts. 
"Expert sun protection for normal-combination skin. High protection from UV rays and a mattifying effect against shine with a dry touch texture. Vichy Ideal Soleil Dry Touch includes a wide spectrum filter system and photostable UVA-UVB based Mexoryl ®. A soft, dry, no-shine, water resistant finish."






Thank you so much for reading my blog post! If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and I'll do my best to get back to you. If you enjoyed this post please like & share and I'll do more similar beauty posts in future  ;)


Selina  x

For your full Skin Analysis and Make-Up Application, call/text 086 0806 588  or e-mail selinagmakeupartist@gmail.com  <3

Wet 'n' Wild 

Hugely popular, American, budget Make-Up brand, Wet 'n' Wild, comes to Ireland!!!

Wet 'n' Wild Cosmetics has been launched in Ireland, and in our very own, Dunnes Stores! Selected Penney's stores & retailers nationwide will also stock the make-up brand, which ranges in price from just €1.99 to €6.49!!  

Yes the brand-name itself is a tad cringe, but the Wet 'n' Wild cosmetic range has gained worldwide popularity due to the high quality of the make-up range and the fact that it retails at such low prices! Plus, as my LA-based, vegan sister tells me,  Wet 'n' wild is one of the few drugstore make-up brands that do NOT test on animals! Big ups! Guuuuurl, I'm all over this ;)

So what is available and what do I recommend?

The range is pretty extensive so I took HD pics of everything so you can have a look at prices, see what's available, and I swatched pigments on the back of my hand so you can see the colour pay-off. There are a few products within the range that you should avoid, but I also have a few favourites that I highly recommend so I'll start with these.

Wet 'n' Wild COLOR ICON™ BLUSHER €4.49

Beautiful!!! These blushers swatched like a dream! These were one of my faves. Highly pigmented, satin texture, great selection of shades.. They seem to contain a stain that keeps the colour long-lasting, and just the right amount of light-reflecting pigments to give the skin a natural glow,without being glittery. I loved these and at €4.49, they're a steal. Tip: Apply with a very light hand, and tap excess of your brush before applying on your face as a little of this goes a long way ;)

Wet 'n' Wild COLOR ICON™ BROW & EYE LINER €1.99


I love how these pencils are marketed together as brow and eye liners, and there's a varied selection of shades. I picked up the E651 Black Black and theE649 Mink Brown which is a perfect shade for brows.. I've swatched both below, a harsh line for each pencil and a blended line. 
These creamy pencils are fantastic, and at €1.99 each, they are a bargain! The texture reminds me of the MAC eyeliner pencils. And once blended and set, these stay put! Fab ;)

Wet 'n' Wild COLOR ICON™ Eyeshadow Palettes (8 Colours) €6.49, (5 Colours) €5.49 and (3 Colours) €4.49

These eye-shadows are intensely pigmented and excellent value. The matte shades don't give as good a colour pay-off as the satin or shimmering shades but for the price, these are a great deal. The best-selling palettes were the neutral palettes, namely 'Comfort Zone' (Neutral and Olive shades) and 'The Naked Truth', which includes 2 good matte shades and perfect neutrals for any eye look. They were sold out in the first Dunnes Stores I visited, but I picked both palettes up since, and I'm going to do a giveaway on my Facebook page so keep an eye out!! ;) 
 https://www.facebook.com/selinagmakeupartist?ref=hl
Below are both palettes..

My favourites of the trios were  'Don't Steal My Thunder' and 'Walking On Eggshells' €4.49. Both highly pigmented, and great for so many eye looks.

My final favourite, (for now ;) I'm sure I'll fall in love with others as time goes on) is...

The H2O PROOF™ LIQUID EYELINER €3.99

This is something that everyone should have in their make-up bag, and is my secret to a feminine, defined eye. I never leave the house without a slick of this on the base of my upper lashes. Magic! and it's waterproof too so it will be replacing my GOSH liquid liner.

I chose a Black-Brown for everyday wear, but I'll be picking up another two in black (1 for my Pro Kit) as it'll be perfect for creating a dramatic eye look. the felt tip applicator makes applying it a cinch! and once it has dried, it doesn't budge.



So those are my favourites so far!! I'm looking forward to trying their Foundations and Powders in the coming weeks as I've heard great things about them Stateside.

The Coverall Foundation and Powder range is meant to be way better than previous Wet 'n' Wild base make-up offerings. I'll have to put it to the test!








There's a massive range of nail varnishes most for only €2.99 with the glitter varnishes just an extra euro, and the quality is good. 









They have a wide range of lip products in various finishes, including the famous Megalast lipsticks which are just as good as many expensive ranges. They seem to contain a stain which holds the colour for a long time after it's applied, and retail at only €2.99. 

 Wet 'n' Wild have a selection of good quality mascaras ranging from €2.99 up to €5.49 in price. The Mega Protein Mascara at €2.99 seems to be a favourite with American beauty gurus so this will def be on my shopping list next time!

Watch this space as I'll review more of their products in the near future. ;)

GIVEAWAY TIME!!! 
To enter the draw to win one of two Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow palettes, simply share, like and comment on the link to the Giveaway on my Business Page on Facebook right here! https://www.facebook.com/selinagmakeupartist?ref=hl

So have you tried any of these out and what are your favourites? Have you had good/bad experiences with Wet 'n' Wild so far? Please leave any questions or comments below, and thank you for visiting my blog  x x x
Selina x

Selina G Make-Up Artist
0860806588
www.selinagmakeupartist.com 

Brows! Brows Brows!

Make-Up & Tools for Perfect Brows

Brows, as we keep hearing 'frame the face'. But what does this mean exactly? Well a lot of make-up techniques serve to draw attention to the centre of the face, and shade/diminish the peripheral of the face. This makes your face appear slimmer and your eyes appear larger! And this is exactly what filling your brows can do for your face.
Having fuller brows is a very youthful feature because, as we grow older, and after years of plucking, our brows become sparser, lighter in colour and unruly.

Brow Colour?

Regarding colour, matching the darkest shade of your own hair colour is usually a good guide and match for your brows. With wax products, go a shade or two lighter than this. Avoid using brow products with red undertones. A charcoal brown suits EVERYONE! Just use lightly if you're blonde. 
Never use black, even if you have black hair.
The arch and the tail of the brow are usually the most defined, and the inner brow is lighter and softer, so be sure to brush this part a little extra to give a natural look to the brow.

What you will Need

• A Wax product e.g. A Brow Pencil e.g. Catrice Brow Styler Pencil Brow-n-eyed Peas €2.99 in Penneys; MAC Eye Brows Pencil €17.50 Brown Thomas
• A matte eyeshadow or brow powder (same thing) It MUST be Matte (i.e. no shimmer)
• A small, angled brush and a brow comb or spool (see pic below) or just wash an old mascara wand.

NOTE: You can buy a brow kit with most of these above items in it, and in various colour shades. Examples: Benefit Brow Zings €34; elf Studio Eyebrow Kit £3.75; HD Brows Brow Palette £19.96; Catrice Eye Brow Set €4.49

How to Fill Brows

Watch my Video Tutorial, Click below...

NB For a natural look use either the brow pencil OR the eyeshadow/brow powder. For a more fuller, dramatic brow use both.

1. Using a pen or make-up brush handle, map out where your brow should A begin, B arch and C end.
   
   
   
2. Using a sharp brow-pencil or other wax product, fill the brow using short, straight strokes from the inner corner to the arch. Adjust the angle outwards and downwards slightly, and continue from the arch to the brow end, tapering to a thin end.
3. Brush your brows through with a spool or brow comb. The more you brush, the softer and more natural the brow looks.
4. Repeat the above steps with the powder and angled brush for a more dramatic, fuller brow. Brush your brows through again with a spool or brow comb.

OR

1. Alternatively, for a natural, soft look, use powder only and small, angled brush. 
2. Begin by outlining the brow, starting along the lower brow line.
3. Fill the brow using short, straight strokes from the inner corner to the arch. Adjusting the angle outwards and downwards slightly, continue from the arch to the brow end, tapering to a thin end.
4. Brush your brows through again with a spool or brow comb

Tips and Techniques

• To further accentuate the brow, apply a highlighter just beneath the brow. You can use a light, beige eyeshadow, and simply apply from beneath the arch towards the tip of the brow.
• To sharpen the structure of the brow or to clean-up above and around the brow, use concealer on a small, flat concealer brush. Apply above the brow area and along any edges that need sharpening.
• A wider space between your brows can make your nose appear wider! Don't overdo the waxing or plucking and measure the area where your brows should begin.
• Filling in your brows may appear drastic and scary at first so if you're a newbie, start off light and brush it through well. 
• More defined, dramatic eyebrows are necessary for a more dramatic eye-makeup look.
• Tame unruly brows with a clear or coloured brow gel.
• A brow mascara is a handy alternative as it colours and shapes the brow.

So grab your make-up bag and give this a try! I hope this helps and if you have any questions or comments, please do so below ;) Show me some Like-love if you want to see more posts like this and don't forget to subscribe! ;)  Thank you!! x

Selina G Make-Up Artist 

Cara Delevingne - Model Famous for her full, dark Brows. Too much?

New Blog!

Selina G Make-Up Artist here! Welcome to my Blog! I hope you'll find all your make-up and beauty fixes right here.

I'll start posting here soon so watch this space for all things Make-up and Beauty related and hit the Follow button for future updates. I will be posting Make-up Artist tips and techniques, product reviews, Make-up tutorials, beauty/home-care advice specific to your age and skin type, and Make-Up recommendations for your skin-tone, skin type, face-shape and eye-shape. I'll share techniques for you to practice at home through quick and easy tutorials.

To view my portfolio or for bookings please visit my website www.selinagmakeupartist.ie and check out my Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter and Google+, or simply call/text 0860806588

Please leave any comments, questions or requests below or e-mail me at selinagmakeupartist@gmail.com

Next Post: Eyebrows - How to define and fill your  brows, and what to use..
Comment or PM me, what would you like to learn?

I look forward to hearing from you!
Selina G  x

Selina G Make-up Artist