I met THE amazing WAYNE GOSS courtesy of Urban Decay! It all started when I was fishing around on Face Book (as you do) for anything exciting… Now I’m a huge fan of Wayne because I love his videos and techniques so when I saw he was going to be at Urban Decay’s new store in Carnaby Street I had to go!

There wasn’t a lot of information and it was a none ticketed event so I was a bit sceptical. Anyway, I dragged my mother along with me (she’s my beauty inspiration!) And we took a selfie whilst waiting

As we were waiting, 4.30pm and Wayne walks straight in the front door like it was nothing, like walking into a coffee shop! After a few mins, the doors opened and we all just flooded in, we had to wait and then finally we got to go down and meet him!

OMG was he a legend, such a wonderful man! He complimented me on my eyes and eye make up (yeah had to gloat about that because it’s not everyday where your fav MUA compliments you like that) and I was literally star struck, speechless!

More people were coming down so I thought I’d get my pictures in and let him meet everyone else.

During this meet and greet we were given a cupcake and prosessco, so whilst I stood in the corner just scoffing my face with cupcake, my mum started looking checking out the lipsticks. She bought herself a lippy as UD gave 10% off all purchases and just as we were leaving we got an Urban Decay goodie bag… I thought they give small samples like a lot of other companies do, but no, Urban Decay gave each person a FULL SIZE Chill setting spray, Original Eye Primer & Pervasion Mascara!!

This gave me a different kind of love towards Urban Decay – I mean I loved them before but this was seriously the icing on the cake! (Ironic that I had a cupcake with icing…)

The excitement was too much for one day! But I can honestly say it was an amazing day for me and I actually love Urban Decay – If you live in London go and check out the new store in Carnaby Street, its sooooo cool! The staff are really nice and friendly too which is an extra added bonus, plus its in the heart of one of London’s best known areas!

Oh – click the links to check out Wayne Goss (YouTube Channel) and Urban Decay

Happy Watching and Shopping!

The post Wayne Goss Meet Up – Urban Decay appeared first on MUA Billie | Professional Makeup Artist.

Do these gold collagen eye masks really work? Now some of you (like me) have really bad under eyes, tired looking,  wrinkles, dark circles and not bags but carry a whole lot of luggage! It doesn’t help when I try and cover them up using make up because I end up making them look worse and what I call ‘Elephant Skin’ – (Another blog how to try and combat the dreaded elephant skin eyes is coming soon!)

There are so many different tips and trends out to help combat some of the issues, but here are the gold collagen eye masks (below). I have sensitive skin that can break out when I used new things or too many different products. But this says suitable for all skin types. It does say powder on the actual package, but I haven’t found any powder.

They don’t have any ingredients but do claim to be 100% natural, high in molecular plant collagen with colloidal gold (basically its has teeny weeny gold particles in collagen made by plants). There are loads of benefits such as being organic, rejuvenation, anti wrinkle/ageing, hydrating, firming, skin tone balancing and more! From only £5.99 for a pack of 10 on Amazon, sold by Infinitive Beauty – it seems amazing and too good to be true! So let’s put it to the test…

Here is the before: As you can see (No makeup!) but dark circles, “luggage” and its not very clear, but bad wrinkles… I just cleaned my under eyes with warm water

As you can see from the first picture, the product is packed tightly which means there is no excess liquid. The actual masks are very flexible, but be careful if you have long nails because they are fragile and might tear. The fit under the eye with ease and there’s no worry that it will fall off. It’s hard to describe the consistency but they are not sticky, yet they stick to your skin. They mould to your face and they feel amazingly cold and refreshing!

On the package it states to keep them on for 15-20 minutes, however because I was loving the feel of them I did just keep them on longer and went about my business.

So the verdict…?

I love these eye masks! I really saw a difference, now they aren’t miracle workers but I definitely saw an improvement in the colour and ‘luggage’. They felt refreshing, there was no residue or anything left on the skin, although they do say to clean with warm water after, I didn’t feel to. The masks can only be used once but I would recommend them. They stayed like this for about 12 hours, so the effects were relatively long lasting. I try and do these once a week just so my eyes are hydrated and plump for when I apply makeup too.

PLEASE NOTE – I am not being sponsored or paid to review these eye masks.

Has anyone else tried these masks? What did you think of them? Are there any other masks that you would recommend? Any other q’s, drop your thoughts in the comments below

Billie x X x

The post Crystal Gold Collagen Eye Masks – Do they work? appeared first on MUA Billie | Professional Makeup Artist.

Facial piercings have always been a problematic subject and still hold the stereotypical views. Some people are quick to judge someone who has multiple facial piercings as opposed to someone who does not.

This is personal to me, as a make up artist I love to embrace individuality and find make up a way of doing that too. I have a nose and a lip piercing that I love but what I have found is that a lot of companies and clients think piercings give off the wrong message!

Now it’s really irritating, because as a make up brand, cosmetics are used to change the customers face, so what is so bad about piercings? Is that also not a way of changing a face and in some peoples opinions (mine especially), enhancing certain features? A piercing usually contains some sort of shiny stone, like a diamond or cubic ziconia, yet sticky diamontes and glitter is used to create that same effect… what’s the ultimate difference? What if instead of a piercing, a sticky stone was used on the face, that would be allowed but a hole is a whole different matter.

I’ve applied for so many counter jobs and with agencies and each time they all say the same thing – “The client says no facial piercings… Can you not take them out?… Or take them out just for the day?… We cannot offer you the role or job due to your facial piercings.” Yet when questioned, these brands cannot provide any answer as to why it is unaccepted! If you’re not willing to allow simple facial piercings, why should I take mine out? It was so bad I even had to offer to cover mine up using liquid latex once (SFX makeup – but that’s another blog)! Now that, thinking about it, was quite ridiculous (it was for a Halloween event, so you would’ve thought it would go with the theme!)

I Googled for days and still could not find anything except, brand image. Well brand image, does that mean your cosmetics are not for anyone who has piercings? Because if that’s the case then that is discrimination. If a lot of other things are accepted, what’s so bad about cute little nose or lip studs? It does not affect my work or ability to perform, nor does it hurt any potential customers. Yet these stereotypical views are present in today’s industry, which makes me sad.

Because of the whole stigma originally attached to piercings, its difficult for people like me, who is a hard and competent worker, to get a job because of some brand or clients ideologies which don’t make sense.

So, with that rant over, what do you think about facial piercings and working on a make up counter? Do you prefer creative, funky and quirky or simple, elegant and (what I think) boring kind of looks? Do you think my piercings are offensive, or facial piercings in general?

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts, especially those MUA’s who know what I mean!

x X x

The post Facial Piercings – Still an issue? appeared first on MUA Billie | Professional Makeup Artist.