Me, the Make-Up Artist

If you've ever read my blog before, you would know that I am also a make-up artist. I've haven't talked about it much on here before, but I felt my blog just wasn't complete without regular posts about make-up and beauty stuff. After all, it it a part of my life that I really love, so why not share it on here? So here's a little about me...the Make-Up Artist...

I am a professional make-up artist that has worked in the make-up industry for over 21 years (I’d like to say that I started when I was 5, but that would be a lie).I was trained by the brilliant Rick Findlater (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong, Last Samurai…to name a few) Starting out working in the film, fashion & tv industries and then went on to run a small make-up academy, with many students going on to successful make-up careers with credits including Star Wars, Matrix, Scooby Doo, House of Wax, Bait, Hercules. I am also very proud to say that one of my students (and good friend), Mark Cleary recently was given an Emmy honour for his work on the Speilberg/Hanks series “The Pacific”. (you can read about that here) Nice one Markey!

Eventually, I decided to “hang up” my brushes for a while to start a family (aka the pickles).

I couldn’t stay away for long and  have had the pleasure to work with hundreds of Brides, bridal parties and  family and friends for their weddings and special, red carpet occasions. The “special occasion” make-up has always been my favourite area of make-up to work in.

So much has changed since I started in make-up, with cosmetic companies getting better and better with their products and formulas, to the styles and looks of the moment changing and bouncing back time and time again. When I first started, Kate Moss was an unknown and no one had even heard of a GHD!! MAC was impossible to buy in Australia and you were lucky if you had a friend or relative going on an o/s trip so they could get you some goodies. Today, it’s as easy as a few clicks and a credit card. Maybe that’s a good thing, because when I first started, I wanted EVERYTHING IN MY KIT and it weighed a tonne, but as time went on and my experience grew, I realised it really was quality over quantity. I still WANT IT ALL today, that hasn’t changed, but now I am much more selective of what goes in.

If you’d like to learn about the tips, tricks and techniques that I have learnt along the way, plus reviews on products that I love (new and classic) then stick around, because I’m going to share them with you.

By the way, a lot of make-up pictures that you'll see on this blog have had some photographic processing (I don't own photoshop but I do use picnik.com to edit stuff), mainly because I don't own any fancy lighting equipment and this program helps me A LOT. My clients are kind enough to let me use their images on this blog and I want them to be reassured that their photos look great..and if this means some tweaking, then so be it! I love playing with the editing, it's just an extension of what I do, you can get some great effects and have a bit of fun with it. For anyone who has a problem with that, then I suggest you might enjoy other blogs that are a little more raw than mine. And if you have a negative comment about my work, then please try to find the courage to leave a comment that identifies who you are and not some anonymous dribble. So in saying that, this IS MY little blog and My little space on the net and I WILL be expressing myself and my work in a way I choose. So there ...lol xx

 All product reviews and suggestions on this blog will be from my own opinions and will not be influenced in anyway by another party. I will give you my honest opinion about what I use and recommend, but they are my opinion and may not suit everyone. No 2 faces are alike, so what looks good on one person will not always suit another. I believe that you, (the reader), should always test products (especially anything that will go on your skin or near your eyes), for sensitivity or allergic reactions. Always do a patch test and follow the manufacturers instructions. If you’re not sure, then don’t use it. All products in my kit are purchased by me, with my own money. If a company sends me a product to try and I review it on this blog, then I’ll let you know. OK?

Please feel free to leave your comments (I LOVE getting them) and also leave any suggestions or questions you might have.  I’ll try my best to answer them quickly.

See you on the red carpet!

{how to} Smokey Eyes & Red Lips

Time for a little festive glamour. Red lips and smokey eyes are a favourite look at the moment, so I thought I'd share with you the steps and products that I use to create the looks below.

If you want to know a little more about me, the Make-Up Artist (click here).

Always make sure you have no moisturiser on your lids as this will prevent the make-up from adhering properly and you'll end up with that yucky creasing. I don't know about you, but I have enough creases in my life without creating new ones...lol. I like to use a wet wipe or cotton pad with a little toner on it to swipe over my lids...and then let it dry.

1. Blend a primer or eye base over the lid and blend it up towards the brow. I like MAC paint pot in Painterly.

2. On the lids, pat on a light, silvery eyeshadow. Through the crease and outer corner and using a small brush, pat on a deeper shade and blend a little to soften the edges. I like Revlon Colourstay Eyeshadow Quad in Sandstorm or Sterling Rose.

3 & 4. Pat on the lid/inner corner some loose dust in a shimmery silver or beige with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. I like Gorgeous Cosmetics shimmer dust in Suede & this eye shadow brush from Make-Up and Glow (online store)

5. Take an eyeliner pencil and smudge it along the top and bottom lashline. If you like you can apply it to the waterline too (inner lashline). I like iINK Liquid eyeliner pencil in carbon black by Gorgeous Cosmetics. In 21 years of being a make-up artist I have NEVER found anything like this...it's AMAZING!!!!

6. You can curl the lashes first and then apply 2 coats of black mascara (I use waterproof for bridal events...for obvious reasons). I like Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Waterproof in very black.

7&8. Apply strip lashes or 4-5 individual flares to the outer corner of the lashline using black lash glue (my fave). I like MAC lashes and Duo Adhesive from here or here.

9. Shape your brows by using little hair like strokes with a good brow pencil in a similar colour to you eyebrows. I like Gorgeous Cosmetics Nouveaux Brow pencil.

In case your wondering, I always do the eyes first and the rest of the face second. I find that if I get fallout or smudges (and I often do), then it's easier to clean up the skin before the foundation is applied. it just keeps everything fresher.

For the face.

1. Apply a primer all over, except for the eyes of course. I like Face of Australia primer.

2. Apply your foundation with a brush or sponge to achieve the coverage you need. I like Graftobian HD foundation pots. from Make-Up & Glow.

3. Using a small brush, apply concealer where required (if needed at all). I like Ben Nye concealers.

4. Apply loose powder with a big fluffy brush to "set" the foundation. I like Derma Colour fixing powder (waterproof) Your foundy's going nowhere one you apply this!!! Trust.

5. Now apply a little blush on the apples of the cheeks and some bronzer in the hollow of the cheekbone, blending up toward the temple. Less is more and it's much easier to add that to remove! I like Nars duo blush in Orgasm/laguna.

For the lips

Line your lips with a red lip pencil and apply a shimmery lips gloss in clear or a favourite red tone.
I like NYX lip pencils, Rimmel lipgloss (from Kmart or Priceline) in Forever Yours and Dior Addict lipgloss (which I used on the bridesmaids and I don't think you can get the exact same colour anymore...boo), but the Rimmel one was a close match.

Edit: I've just found the name and number of the Dior gloss it's called 

Christian Dior Addict Ultra Gloss #851 A Relish of Berries. 

Hair by the fabulous ladies at Hair Meleo.
Go "like" them on Facebook and tell them I said "Hi"

Finally, set your make-up with a mist of MAC Fix+ and you're good to go.

What make-up do you recommend for this festive season? I'd love for you to share in the comments.

see you on the red carpet!

{recipe} 3pickles Christmas Cocktail

Looking for a quick, simple, delicious cocktail (or even mocktail) for Christmas time?

Like watermelon & raspberries? 

Bit o' lime? 

Bit o' fizzy?

Bit o' Vodka??

alrighty then.....

 3pickles Christmas Cocktail

in a blender add :
1/4 watermelon
1 cup raspberries...fresh or frozen
1 cup ice
1/2 cup Schweppes Lime Juice Cordial

now blitz it!

strain into a large jug

add vodka

pour into cocktail glasses

top up with chilled Schweppes Soda Water

enjoy !

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This much water

When I was 5, I nearly drowned in a pool. There were probably 20 adults all supervising, but no one was really watching. It's not that they didn't care, but I guess everyone thought that "someone else" was paying attention. I was lucky that day that my teenage cousin pulled me out, but kids don't just drown in pools or the ocean, they can drown in a very small amount of water. Please, if there's water around, don't take your eyes off them.

Please take a minute to watch this YouTube video and share with as many people as you can.
If you care, share.

Our newest addition {a dog's tale}

Hi there, how have you been?

We've had a few ups and downs this week.

Firstly, the plumber dug the trenches for the stormwater drains and sewage.

They start at the front of the house, go through the courtyard and around to the backyard right next to the clothes line.

Then it rained

a lot

We're on clay here in this part of Melbourne.

So you can imagine the mud, mud, mud!!!

Mr 3P spent half the day in the pouring rain and the slop, trying to fill the trenches back in.

This is the only way from the car to the "current" front door, so when it was dug up and raining, it was insane. I came home from a cake decorating class with my friend Mrs Aunty Stage Mother and had to cross with cake in hand and I'd just straightened my hair, so I didn't know which one to "save" from the rain....the cake won. I felt like Bear Grylis in Man V's Wild.

Here's the cake. The CWA do the best cake classes.If you're in Melbourne and want to do a class you can find out more here.

I don't have a photo of my hair...

but if I did, I wouldn't show you anyway...lol

Speaking of scary, we had some creep break into our car the other night, while it was parked in our garage and stole my GPS!!! Not happy.

Freaked me out a bit. 

This was the decision maker for us about getting another dog.

We lost our beautiful border collie last year (from old age) and within weeks a fox took our chooks. It was just waiting...I'm sure.

Now, for me a dog is a family member that you commit to caring for and loving for it's life. We had been thinking about it for a long time and decided a large dog that was good with children would be best and be a deterrent for creeps.

So, with no further adieu, I'd like to introduce you to Pickle #4

Isn't he beautiful?

He's only 7 months old and weighs 27.5 kgs already!!

He had never worn a collar or lead until yesterday, so walks have been challenging, but he's getting the hang of it.

He has the most beautiful nature and we're about to start obedience training next week.

Wish us luck..will fill you in on his progress.

See you soon.

{recipe} Coconut Bread

Like a quickie?

Me too.........

Impromptu guests and nothing to feed em?

Love coconut?

This is the recipe for you.

 I was fortunate to be given this recipe from my friend Natasha. It was handed down to her from her Grandmother (and handed across to me!!) I've changed it a bit, but it's basically the same.

You can read Natasha's blog here.

 My 3pickles are hungry little guys. Pickle #2 is currently going through a growth spurt and Pickle #1 will eat a whole roast chicken on his own (if I let him). So when they get home from school, they need a snack. I usually give them something healthy like vegetable sticks, hommus and crackers. Occasionally, I'll give them a sweet treat like this coconut bread, with a tall glass of milk. When it's home made at least I know what's really in it, right?

This recipe is so quick and easy to make that you could do it with your eyes closed. 

I love quick and easy.

 COCONUT BREAD

1 cup dessicated or shredded coconut (I've used both & they work out fine)

1 cup of self raising flour

3/4 cup of sugar

1 cup of milk

pinch of ground cinnamon

Method

Mix all of the ingredients together and spoon into a lined loaf tin.

Bake at 180 degrees C (365F) for about 45-50 mins (just test with a skewer)

Remove from the oven and while still warm, top with dollops of butter and cinnamon sugar.

Cinnamon Sugar

Combine 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

 I ALWAYS forget to buy caster sugar, so I just "blitz" some regular sugar for a second or two in my little bullet machine. You can make pure icing sugar this way too, just "blitz" a little longer until you get a powder (great for making Royal Icing). Heaps cheaper too.

 Um, yeah, this shot isn't "set up"....Could have been worse

As I write this post, I've noticed that there is no coconut bread left.

:(

So, I guess blogging is the new form of dieting....at least for me.

I'd love to know what your "quickie" recipe is. Can you let me know in the comments below and if you have blogged about it, I'd love you to leave a link to share.

PS: Don't forget to eat it warm.

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Tomatoes & Tripods

 I'm super excited today as I just picked up my tripod that I have wanted for sooo long. I love shooting stuff with macro and am going to try out some long exposure stuff tonight. I had to take a photo of something the minute I got home. I've never noticed how hairy tomatoes could be! 

           ......back soon with some more experimental shots. 

Happy shooting.

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