Who doesn’t like to get glammed up?
I love a transformation and so jumped at the opportunity to be made over by the leading MUA David Horne aka the ‘Yoda of Cosmetics‘, who has over 25 years experience as a editorial make up artist, trainer, educator and lecturer, retail artist and product development consultant. David has worked for leading make up artist brands such as MAC and Illamasqua. It was when he was at Illamasqua that I cam across his work and his REFRESHING approach to beauty and make up for darker skin tones. It was a joy to see an industry expert speak about and work with dark skin without trepidation or a misplaced fear. He credits Sam Fine for inspiring him to learn and hone his skills in creating the perfect look for the Woman of Colour and he has dedicated himself to applying the latest techniques to his craft in order to continuously be ahead of the curve – I knew that I was going to be in safe hands!
Last year David co-founded the fabulous make up school, The House of Glam Dolls with Chinyee Chu, the school’s Creative Director, who also brings a wealth of creative and professional business skills to the brand. She has been working in the makeup industry for over 15 years with managerial roles at MAC and Illamasqua within roles such as Artist Relations and Business Manager, as well as owning her own jewellery business in the past. The studio, which is situated in Highbury, Islington, is an explosion of colour and kitsch, without the being overly saccharine and it is the perfect playground for any budding MUA. David began my makeover with a thorough cleanse followed by a good moisturiser. He defined my brows and then moved onto the eyes and he kept it very simple with a sweep of the Charlotte Tilbury – Colour Chameleon Smokey eye pencil in Smokey Emerald, topped with a swath of glitter from MAC. David used the e.l.f Studio Glitter Eyeshadow Applicator, which has a unique silicone head specifically designed to apply glitter and minimises the mess! I will definitely be adding this to my brush collection! Lastly he applied a set of Wispy Doll House of Glam Dolls lashes! A tip that he gave to me was to line the lash edge with the the glue and also add a tiny amount to the base of each lash to ‘anchor’ the lashes to your own, preventing them from lifting.
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We then moved on to the base and David introduced me to the concept of strobing. Contouring is SO 2014 y’all!! Strobing is set to be the new trend..and personally I love it. I never really got on with the contouring look – but I have received so many compliments since applying the strobing technique.
Here’s the lowdown on strobing makeup:
Strobing is about highlighting the face with light and only light. Think that dewy, I-have-four-green-juices-a-day glow mixed with a very good facial.
How is it different than contouring?
As any contouring diagram will tell you, contouring features a mix of darker shades for chiseling and lighter shades for highlighting. Strobing is a technique that only uses light to enhance your face. There is no bronzer or dark powders involved here. David kept stating that strobing is about following the light – placing the product where the light naturally falls on the face.
He used the FANTASTIC HOGD Glambase Wheel 2 to create the look. This product has fast become one of my favourite products ever!
This nifty little product, has 6 benefits: 1. Radiate The centre shade Radiate is a copper iridescent cream highlighter. This is the BEST highlighter I have used in a very long time. The copper tone compliments my skin so much better than a gold based highlighter. 2. Caramel A cream pigment designed to illuminate and lift features. 3. Toffee A cream pigment designed to use as a lid neutral base and to highlight and sharpen features. 4. Chestnut A cream pigment designed to use as a mixing beauty base shade and to shape and sculpt features. 5. Truffle A deep neutral pigmentation concealer designed to conceal pigmentation and enhance the complexion. 6. Shadow A deep olivine brown concealer and contour. David used the Make-Up Atelier Paris Waterproof Liquid Foundation in FLW80 to provide the base and got to strobing, using the toffee and caramel shades to highlight, placing the product as per the guide below. It was then time to blend and this step was done with watercolor paint brushes – yes, you read right – paint brushes! David used a selection the Pro Arte Watercolour to blend the product.
The brushes are super soft, thus David was apply to apply a bit of pressure without it being uncomfortable for me!
My cheeks were accentuated with Raisin by MAC and my on the lips are a combination of two Inglot AMC Lipglosses in 541 and 543 which gave a beautiful iridescent purple finish.
David used a mini puff to push the powder into the skin setting the makeup for the day. I was extremely pleased with the look!
Let me know if you try out the strobing technique! You can tweet me here and use the hashtag #feelingfabbeauty
#pr samples
Cover Image Copyright House of GlamDolls
