such is life i guess

Feeling a little depressed at the moment.. I had a car accident yesterday. I am ok, my poor little car isn't. This has had me feeling really upset. I have been thinking about what to blog about today, but my mind just isn't into it right now..

Oh, although i did manage to start number 9 from my list. I borrowed the book 'Shantaram' from a colleague at work. Have any of you read it?

Much love,
xo

It's been listed

Do you ever make lists? I used to make lists years ago, realised they didn’t really work for me so i gave up. I didn’t really think much of it until today, that is, until i realised maybe i do need a list... A list of things that i would like to do/achieve/change/figure out.. I don’t want to limit it to any specific genre or specific time frame. Just a simple list with things, and here it is-

1. I would like to figure out a way to stop my nails from peeling and to actually grow to a nice length. I think it’s from cleaning that they peel (is this my cue to stop cleaning? hehe) 
2. I would like to buy an artwork for our apartment. Something that would set a nice mood in our house.  
3. I want to throw out the ugly orange lamp that my hubby brought home one day, which would then mean i could also replace the orange pillows my mum bought to match the lamp.  
4. I want to re decorate our bedroom as it’s so... blah! A black leather bed with nothing else but a white wall just doesn’t cut it for me.
5. I want to learn how to make a bed properly.. I know how to make a bed, but i want my bed to look like the display beds that you find in stores.
6. Update my wardrobe! I have pieces that have just gone from season to season since i was 17 and i think it’s time I bought some clothes that fit my curvy 25 year old body rather my stick 17 year old body.
7. Figure out a way to make my whole home smell nice. My apartment is very open plan. As it’s so open, it’s hard to find something that fragrances such a large space. 
8. Teach hubby how to use the laundry basket! i.e. you put the clothes in it, not around it!
9. I want to start reading books again
10. Find some sort of a storage solution for my hubby's shoes. They are currently all over the spare bedroom floor.
11. Start going for runs or walks. I am feeling so out of shape lately it’s just not funny
12. Buying the healthy alternative when in the supermarket. I always thought that when i moved out of home i would finally be able to eat healthier. Oh how wrong i was. It has gotten worse. My husband hates the healthy alternative to foods. So no brown rice, brown bread, low fat milk.. He loves his chips, chocolates, fluffy white bread. Sigh...
13. Buy a new computer
14. Purchase the lens that I want for my camera so that I can start taking some beautiful pictures
15. Figure out how im spending my money so that I can improve my finance skills
16. Re stock my makeup kit
17. Market my makeup business so that I can grow my business

Now that I have put this list out there maybe I will actually stop procrastinating and get to it!

P.S. Ill actually try to get some shots of my home this weekend after I have cleaned it up so that I can post them on here..

Much love,
xo

Tuesdays that feel like Mondays

Ahhh don’t you love long weekends? It wasn’t anything special in Sydney, I just thought I would reward myself with a Monday off from work to just stay home and relax!
Saturday I was commissioned to do make up for a photoshoot which the photos would be submitted to magazines for publishing. The photoshoot was with a gorgeous model called Ally. The amazing photographer Edward Hor managed to already get me an edited shot. What do you think of the makeup?

Model - Ally, Photographer - Edward Hor

Even though I am always happy with my work, I think that I can always improve. I believe this is what makes me a great makeup artist, wanting to always give more than what I can. It was hard at the beginning to believe that in such a competitive industry that I could succeed. It is taking time, and I am slowly acquiring new clients. Now I give myself pep talks before each client. I tell myself that I am just as good as anyone else as that as long as I am positive, I can do anything.

Always believe in yourself!

Much love,

xo

Makeup brands.. Which brand should you choose?

All women will agree that there are so many makeup brands out there that its confusing and difficult to find the 'perfect' brand. That’s because there is no perfect brand for any one person.

Each person has a different lifestyle which contributes to their skin type. This includes your place of work, how often you exercise, and what you eat and drink. You will find that if you change your lifestyle around, your skin also changes with it. For example, you move house from beachside to country, or you change your exercise regime, from stuck in an office and no exercise to joining a gym and exercising 3 times a week.

Whether your skin is oily, dry, normal or combination, it is important to remember that a healthy skin routine, with added exercise will improve the look of any makeup that you may use. Simply increasing the amount of water you drink each day will make a significant difference in your skins appearance and in turn affecting what makeup may suit you. You also shouldn’t be discouraged from trying different brands, this will only educate you in what works for you.

A makeup artist uses so many different brands for this reason. We have so many different clients that we cannot possibly use only one brand of makeup.

P.S. Don’t forget that you can also ask for samples of products from the makeup counter!


Please remember that through my experience this is only my opinion.

Much love,
xo

Networking.. on facebook!

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know that i have also created a facebook page where you can see more of my makeup work! Like it, and suggest it to your friends :-)

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Makeup-by-Miss-M/169927573031154

Much love (and many thanks),
xo

Skin routine for flawless makeup

A lot of my clients ask me what they should do to prepare their skin before having their makeup done.

Here is what I tell them. Not only will a good skin care routine enhance the quality of the makeup, but it will also make your skin have a healthy glow. Remember that any routine you follow for your face should also be continued to the neck.  

1)      Before you do anything make sure you wash your hands with a sanitising hand wash. A good one is the Dettol Antibacterial Liquid Hand Wash. This is such an important step that most people forget.  Throughout the day we use our hands for everything we do, so all the germs and bacteria are there when you wash your face. Using an antibacterial hand wash will stop the spread of germs and bacteria to your face.

2)      Make sure to cleanse your face – this will make sure that all dirt/makeup/and bacteria is removed.  If you don’t have a brand that you prefer, I would recommend using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Cetaphil is amazing for your skin. It cleans while keeping the skin smooth so that it doesn’t remove any of your natural oils.

3)      Exfoliate – Exfoliating your skin is what will give your makeup a smooth finish. Exfoliating removes any dead skin cells on your face, creating an even surface which your makeup artist can work on. The best exfoliant for your face is simply a towel and some warm water.  Rub the towel in gentle circles over your face and neck. If your skin is red or burning during the exfoliating process this means that you are applying to much pressure and you are in fact irritating your skin. Focus on your T zone when exfoliating as this is the area that is usually prone to breakouts as it is the oiliest part of the skin.

4)      Toner – Toning is usually a step that most people miss out on. Using a toner will remove any impurities, left over makeup and cleanser. Avoid using an alcohol based toner as it will strip your skin of its essential oils. I recommend trying Gaia Skin Care Refreshing Toner.

5)      If you complete this routine about 10-15mins before your makeup artist arrives, don’t use a moisturiser or primer. Your makeup artist will be able to access your skin and see which product you will need and will apply this for you.

Please remember that through my experience this is only my opinion with skin care. All people have different skin types and therefore have different needs. If you think would like to talk to someone about your specific needs then its best to see your doctor or see a dermatologist.

Much love,
xo

Just a little something

So, this weekend i had the photoshoot that i mentioned in my blog earlier, the one regarding the underground carpark.. It was amazing! The model that we had was great, she knew just how to move to get the right shots. The photographer mentioned that i should get the edited images in 2-3 weeks (cant wait!). Here is a behind the scenes shot of the photographer directing the model.. Cant wait to be able to share the edited shots with you!

Gorgeous model - Rachel Chami and the very talented Photograper- Matt Pho

Much love,
xo

Friday love

I have to share this with you! I feel like a proud little mumma with my Oscar.. He is the love of my life! (after hubby ofcourse). I cant wait for this weekend so that i can just sit at home with him and we can play. Love you Oscar :-)

He has such a tough life, he even fell asleep while eating..

Much love,
xo

Can you hear me?

Ok, so normally this does not bother me, but this morning its REALLY bothering me. The spelling of my name.

I went to get a coffee this morning, i ordered my flat white, and when the barista asked for my name i spelt it out for her - "M-I-L-E-N-A", what did she write down - MELANA.... Now, i like to pride myself with speaking articulately, I wasn’t hung over so I didn’t slur my words, I got a gold star while learning the alphabet in school.. so it could only be that the barista did not care.

I’m not sure how everyone else feels about coffee, but to me, a coffee first thing in the morning, the smell of the coffee beans, the taste of the creamy milk – it’s my little bit of morning heaven. So when I have to look down at my coffee cup and read the lazy baristas misspelling of my name, it ruins that.

I know that my name is not the most common name, in fact I think I have only ever met one other person with my name, but when I spell it for you, please make sure you listen to your customer and make them feel like you actually care. It’s what keeps a customer coming back – good customer service.

So tell me, am I the only loon who gets fussed over the spelling of their name?

Much love,
xo

Girl Crush

Ok, so im seriously drooling over Mila Kunis... She never looked this good when she was on 'That 70's show'.. Did you happen to see her in her Oscars gown? Here it is, in case you missed it... Best dressed of the night!

Much love,

xo

Judgement

Sometimes i wonder if the decisions i make in my life are more influenced by what other people may think rather than what i think is right for me.

It doesn't bother me that my husband wants to get even more tattoo's on his body (he already has his left arm, chest and stomach covered), but because my parents and his parents don't like the idea of it (they think that society will judge him harshly), i find myself saying to my hubby that maybe he shouldn't be getting any more tattoos.. End result = argument! Over what? other people's thoughts?!

Should i really allow other peoples opinions to influence my decisions because i am afraid to be judged by them? Do i just automatically reform to what i think society wants so i can be more accepted? How can I, an independent, well educated woman of the 21st century allow that to happen!! Easy, its human nature to want to be liked and to please others.

Gaining wisdom in my old age =) , i never would have thought of this a year ago.

So what do i do to change this? Well, i haven't figured that one out yet. Its always easy to preach, harder to be converted.. At least i can admit this, right?

Much love,
xo

Oscar

I fell in love this weekend... With the new addition to our family. We would like to welcome and introduce you to Oscar! Isnt he the most precious little thing ever?! He is 5 weeks old :-)

We are not cat people, infact we have always had dogs, but seeing this little face, how could you say no. Im predicting he is going to be a spoilt little kitty.

Love you little Oscar

I hope you fell in love over the weekend, just as i did!

Much love,
xo

Creativity overload!!

I have to share something with you... Im organising my first photoshoot. It is going to involve an amazing photographer, a gorgeous model, some black leather and an underground carpark! I couldnt sleep last night with all the ideas that were running through my mind of how i want to execute this. I have the most amazing idea for the makeup look that i want to create.. I cant wait to share the photos with you when this has been completed...

Much love,

xo



Hey lady! That's some crazy thoughts you have!

I always thought that blogging meant I had to be renovating my apartment, moving into a new home, or taking photos of crazy fashion and talking about how they are the trendiest item that you have to own. Through my blog exploration I have realized that is not so! There are people who do not blog about those things, they blog about their lives, work, family, just their everyday thoughts regardless of how random they may be. I think I'm going to do the same thing right here. I'm not restricting myself, instead I'm opening up and writing whatever is on my mind! I didn't realize that it would take me this long to open up!!

I want to mention how I believe that I have grown into a more mature person this past year. It's weird to think that the words my mum spoke to me once would be so true. My mum said "in a years’ time you will look back at what you are doing now and laugh at the way you reacted at certain situations, you will laugh at the small things that used to bother you As we get older our life changes and the years bring different problems". Truer words have never been spoken.

When you are in primary school you get upset because you cannot play with your friends, someone else took your favourite crayon from the box, when you are in high school you worry about whether you have cool friends or wondering why the cute boy in your class hasn’t spoken to you yet. Then you leave school and you realize that none of that mattered, you are going to meet new people, and you are going to make new friends. The crayons no longer matter. Instead you start thinking about what you should do in life, uni, tafe, work, college, travel? There are so many options. Not to mention the dilemma of finding the right outfit for that party on the weekend. Then you get to the party and your boyfriend hangs out with his mates more than you. You get annoyed, so you argue about it for days! Then you get a little older and realize that the parties are now boring, and that u would prefer to spend quality time with the people you love, you realize that arguing with your boyfriend over spending too much time with his mates is nothing compared to the bills that need to be paid, so you start discussing your finances and you get into an argument about that... The cycle is never ending.

Regardless of what stage you may be in your life, you will always have issues and problems. You will always have arguments and disagreements. Things will never be perfect. Part of me growing into a more mature person has involved accepting this. I have learnt to accept my imperfect life as being my perfect existence. At the end of the day, I will argue with my husband over silly little things, I will get annoyed at that co-worker who refuses to co-operate, I will not get enough exercise as I should, I will eat that naughty snack after dinner, and I will be ok with it, because I have a husband who loves me to stick by me through the silly little things, I have a job which provides me with the money to have a home and food, I will enjoy that naughty snack cause it tastes so good, and I will not get enough exercise because I enjoy spending so much time snuggled up to my husband. Health is your number one priority, so leave the stress in the past, focus on the positive and you will make it through any problems life may bring

Life is good, you just need to accept the imperfections and laugh it off. This is probably the most important lesson my mum has ever taught me. I love her for it..

What are some things your mum has said that have stuck with you?

Much love
xo

Life... and age?

I  have been thinking recently alot about life, love, friends, work.. and pretty much everything else. I am a thinker, i think about too many things, too often, and this tends to constantly make me indecisive and confused. Or, you can blame the fact that im a Libra, or now, a Virgo (yeah right!) according to the new horoscope dates. Or is it my age, i am almost a quarter of a century old!

I think about my future, where will i be this time next year, what will happen in my life, what do i want to do? I want to do so much! I want to travel around Europe with my hubby, i want to study so that i can further develop my knowledge and skills to get further in my career, i want to continue to build on my makeup career, i want to complete a photography course so that i can do better that point and click, i want to have a baby, i want to spend more time with my family, i want to focus on paying of my mortgage.. Are you tired yet of that list? Im exhausted!! Do you have a list like mine? Whats on your list of things that you want to do?

Could it be that i think this way because i am a twenty something year old? People always seem to use their age as an excuse to what is going on in their lives.. "Im a 40 year old single woman because i know what i want in a man, and men like that dont exist, besides i have been focusing on my career".. "I dont know if i want to study or travel, its because im only 18 and finished school".. "I dont have to settle for one man, im playing the field, im only twenty!".. Does age have that much of an impact on our lives as what we make it out too? It is after all only a number... it isnt a race, a gender, an occupation, a political power, or a religion... So why should this 'number' continually confuse people about their lives? 

Im making today a point in my life where i focus on one thing, to be happy, regardless of my age (or my new astrology sign!)



Much love,
x

Blog distraction..

I know that i havent posted in what seems to me like forever.. I havent forgotten about my blog, in fact i have been opening my blog each day and starting a new post, then deleting it.. starting a new post, and deleting it again! LOCO! I know... But i just havent felt that pull to write anything..  

While i was on my Blog distraction, i  received these pics from Just In Focus. I was the makeup artist on this project. What do you think? (click on the pictures to view a larger picture)

This one is my fave! I think the model is beautiful and the makeup suits the photograph!

So, what else have i been upto? I bought this cool vase for my balcony while i was on Blog distraction. I purcahsed this vase from Flower Power

Other than that, i spent warm Sydney nights at home with my hubby, spent long Saturday days with my sister and my mum, cooked yummy dinners for friends, and just really tried to find the positive out of very day.

Much love,

x