It feels like FOREVER since I've done something make-up related so I decided to kick myself in the bottom and get busy, busy, busy! And of course, where to look when you're in need of inspiration and direction? Harvey Nichols! (AKA: The Mothership)
My first port of call is always YSL. Anyone that knows me or has read some of my previous blogs, probably has a fairly good idea by now that I have a little love affair going with Yves Saint Laurent, it started in primary school when I would always sneak into the bathroom or my mums bedroom (If you're reading this - sorry mum!) and play with all of her skin care and make-up things. My first ever Touche Eclat lasted me no more than two weeks (I was very young and just played with it ALL day, literally covering my whole face in the stuff) Since then I've been hooked. My first real pay-day begun with a YSL lipstick purchase, and I've never looked back.
In Harvey Nichols, drooling at the YSL counter, I was told that the national make-up artist Emma Armitage would be visiting the store in a few days to give make-up lessons and would I like to book in? (I think we all know the answer to that..) Well, the fateful day has been and gone and I have SO much to tell you guys! So I've decided to split up the experience into different posts, this one will be a general story telling of what happened and which products I got to play with. Then I'll do one for contouring & highlighting (like you've never seen before) and one for a smokey eye (reborn and in a whole new direction). (There may also be call for a haul post...oops..) Woo!
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As I myself arrived into the Mothership (see previous) I was given a very warm welcome (from, as it turned out, the lady in question herself - Emma Armitage) .. (PPS, she also had the sleekest, coolest hair I may have ever seen. And considering it was raining outside and I was resembling a labradoodle, jealous does not even cut it).
We started with a good initial natter, explaining what was going to be done (and hilariously I was also told "today is all about you" ..which I found pretty amusing considering how grateful I was to have the opportunity to even be there) She explained the importance of certain skin care steps, shared her wisdom about technique, application, as well as make-up secrets, tips, tricks and general artistry acumen (I will be passing said wisdom on by way of upcoming blog posts - stay tuned!)
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She began by cleansing my face with the Forever Youth Liberator Cleansing Foam, followed by the Forever Youth Liberator Lotion and finished with the Forever Light Creator Serum & Forever Youth Liberator eye serum and a moisturiser not yet out (so hang tight for that!)
My face was now clean, incredibly soft, smooth and ready to be made up! To begin with was the legendary YSL Top secrets BB cream to give my skin a darn good glowing base and that my-skin-is-naturally-perfect-underneath-my-make-up look. The BB cream is super soft and feels very hydrating on the skin, gives the perfect amount of coverage without feeling too heavy or sticky as some BB's can do. (I can guarantee come summer this will be an absolute staple)
Next up was foundation (actually now might be a good time to point out that this entire process, including showing me the products, discussing them, me trying them on my hand - as you do - and the whole shabang, only took about 5 minutes. Including the foundation application... Wizardry??) The foundation used was Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation (I've tried this foundation before and absolutely love it. It gives such a naturally flawless finish and makes skin look glowing, dewy but doesn't leave you looking like you've just dunked your head under water (always a bonus..) Just imagine the magic of the Touche Eclat, and now imagine it as a foundation - it's exactly as you always dreamt it would be (/better than me 10 years ago smothering my poor Touche Eclat all over my face...)
NOW something happened next that was one of those 'omg that's so obvious, how have I never thought of that before?!' moments. I won't give anything away - BUT *mini spoiler alert* it's a way of contouring, like you've never done before (and always should have). And of course a delicate sprinkling of Touche Eclat itself to perfect my complexion.
Looking a little like I was about to step onto a Burberry Runway (well, my make up did at least), we pressed on and went onto blush. I've recently become quite the blush addict, realising the power of the cheek pop and getting pretty into it! I've been wearing the YSL Blush radiance in number 4 on a day to day basis (which, coincidently, was the purchase that led me to the knowledge of Emma's visit and subsequent hurried booking). So of course I wanted to try something completely different, "do you use cream blushes at all?" hmm, not really! *slaps wrist* When Emma then produced what can only be described as a highlighter in a pot (and I'm talking highlighter pen, not touche eclat highlighter styl-e) I mean, this thing was bright. Really bright. and very, very orange. "trust me" (says the stranger wielding a pot of fluorescent orange cream and threatening to apply it to my face..) Luckily, my trust was well placed. And who'd have thunk it! It looked amaaazing (So amazing, in fact, that it may have actually warranted it's very own review...)
Face done, and onto eyes. Again, no spoilers here so all i'll say is that a certain pencil and a certain palette (number 20) was used, followed by a certain liner and finished with the Babydoll mascara (which is super, super black and looks incredible).
A flourish of the most gorgeous powder (which is a first look - not yet fully released) to finish et voila!
Loving my look and now desperate to pick Emma's brains, I absolutely had to find out her top picks, a few beauty secrets and what we can all look forward to from YSL!
First of I needed to know Emma's make-up essentials, the favourites, the big cheese of her make-up collection if you will... And the answers you ask?
Well she's a lover of the the brand new formula for the loose powder for sure, telling me about her heartbreak over the much loved old formula that was sadly discontinued. It was apparently supposed to be bought back out a lot sooner, however there was a full YEAR delay because it needed to be just perfect! (and it is, totally and completely). And like all women, there is no picking just one desert island product, so of course Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation just had to be snuck in right at the end (and too right!)
Emma's personal go-to make-up look? Catflicks. Fastest question ever answered, a woman after my own flicky heart. (Speaking of, the catflicks she was sporting on the day were in a whole new league)
And what can we all look forward to in the coming months? A darn fair bit! So keep your eyes peeled for a range of "kiss and blush" creams (think classic, vintage ladies using rouge for their lips and cheeks) Oh but there's more! Our lips and cheeks may be sporting vintage chic, but the highlighting pen we all know and love is getting a whole new outfit! Keep your eyes peeled for leopard prints covering the Touche Eclat!
The afternoon was an amazing experience and a great opportunity , if anyone is able to book themselves in - do itttt! Many, many thanks to Emma and the Harvey Nichols beauty bazaar in Liverpool!
Stay tuned for my YSL contouring and smokey eye tutorial blogs coming very soon!
Until next time,
Amber x
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