Dolce & Gabbana the foundation perfect luminous liquid foundation teinteclat parfait

Having heard many a good things about this foundation, I finally decided to try this  particular one for my (aging skin). God only knows as I would like to look luminous and glowy with little bit of cover up now and again (sigh).....

I purchased 2 shades (as I am a mixer woman) as I wanted something with a yellow shade and something warm and peachy. 

shade 120 is on the left and 144 is on the right. 120 has a more yellow golden tone to it and 144 has a more peachy warmer tone. Saying that I found that both colours when they come out of the bottle look lighter but ince blended into the skin oxidise and so darken.

I found that 120 even though looks remarkably yellowy still has some pink undertone to it and this is something I had heard about this range that none of their colours have a true yellow undertone. 

I have swatched on my hand here

Second picture already shows some darkening

This is both rubbed into my skin looking very peach!

Pictures of this on my face with flash photography to follow 

Maybelline Fit me foundation

After hearing amazing reviews about Maybelline Fit me foundation, I thought there is no harm (yes it is to my finances) in trying out one. I went to Superdrug and tested a few colours out on my jawline (as you do) and found that 220 was the closest match in the liquid. I then also saw the stick foundations which were a thicker consistency so picked 220 in that too.

I have now worn the liquid and find that it has a yellow undertone and matches quite well and looks flawless. I would also say that it does not make my skin greasy after a few hours like some others so I am happy with it.

The stick foundation in 220 on the other hand is another story - it has a pink undertone and after an hour makes my skin look quite red. I am quite miffed as both liquid and stick have the same numbers there should not be a difference in the undertone unless it is meant to be a corrector which it clearly does not say!?

My fault totally as I should have swatched the stick foundation and compared it to liquid one before an impulsive buy!

Inglot cosmetics - 6 lipsticks

I have a major weakness for makeup, incase you had not noticed. Of all the things I like to decorate my face with, I must say that a lipstick always wins hands down if I had to make a choice in purchasing the one item. Lipsticks just add the finishing touch to the whole look or a bit of colour if everything else is understated.

On one of my (many) trips to Westfield, I discovered the fascinating store of Inglot; to any makeup obsessed person, Inglot is the equivalent of a candy store to a child. 

I spent hours swatching their lipsticks but in the end bought 6. 

Of the 6 below, 218 and 104 are creamy, the rest are all matte. Infact 408 is also very similar to MAC Ruby woo.

Learn to do your own makeup - By a makeup artist

Thanks to media (You Tube and famous Gurus like Pixiwoos, Lisa Eldridge, Panacea, Facebook, magazines, TV, Film, advertising) there is great awareness on makeup and brands and how to look good (Gok Wan style), I find ladies enquiring to learn makeup and hair for themselves.

Women who want to learn to do their own makeup are ladies who:
1. are going abroad and won't be able to hire makeup artists / hair stylists for various reasons
2. want to learn to groom themselves
3. have makeup stuffed in drawers but are clueless on how to use it
4. want to learn a certain look like smoky eye or learn to create loose curls and volume like 'Cheryl Cole'
5. want to know what it would be like to learn from a professional
6. use it as a 'taster' before they try out a professional course

I also found that most of them returned after a few months to try out a new look or skill later.

Once the skills are learnt they must be practised several times, to get better.

These non professional courses are run every week and last around 2-3 h. For more details, give me a call or visit the website www.sanakmakeup.com

Can I be a model?

I often get asked this question and I am in no capacity to make anyone a model. In the past few years my work might have 'helped' a few faces in the right direction just the way they 'helped' my portfolio by doing tf work. Eventally tf work might lead to better opportunities for most people involved.

 nb:- TF - TRADE FOR (eg free editted high resolution pictures in return for makeup or modelling)


The answer is never that simple. It depends on a range of factors:

• What kind of modelling do you want to do? Fashion, Glamour, Beauty? Plus Size?
• Are you entering the Western mainstream or Asian?
• How tall are you? Are you tall enough for the ramp?
• How good is your skin?
• Do you have professional pictures? (No, mobile uploads will not do!)
• How old are you?
• How realistic are you?
• Are you thick skinned enough to take several rejections?
• How strict are you with your diet / exercise?
• How dedicated or hard working are you?
• Have you ever tried a professional agency?

There is enough material on the web to research on if you want to be a model but you have to take various things into account before making any decision.

Model Behaviour

Whether you are a male or a female model there is certain etiquette of castings and shoots:
1. Be on TIME or no point turning up (which means you should find out where and how to go well in advance - NO EXCUSES)
2. Be presentable which means:
- no makeup (which also means no mascara and eyeliner and lipgloss too, no makeup means squeaky clean), skin should be moisturised (no chapped lips)

- neat hair

-clean breath (the distance between a makeup artist and a hair stylist is quite a small one......)

- clean hands and nails - general hygeine (which means no body odour or strong perfumes)

- appropriate clothes and shoes
3. Bring your portfolio which can be 1 headshot and 1 full body shot

4. Switch your mobile off (this is a job and you need to be committed)

5. Do not eat and drink during makeup (it spoils a makeup artist's work). Good artists / photographers will always stop for a break or lunch so you can wait.

6. Please do not tell the makeup artist / hair person / photographer how to do their work. Most looks are agreed beforehand. TFCD Shoots are not makeovers!

7. If you have any allergies or medical conditions like epilepsy or migraines etc please tell before hand as photography / flash can trigger things.

8. Be professional (means no bitching and getting personal with anyone) - try and be pleasant company so you are remembered well and RECOMMENDED onwards for future work.

9. After a casting people are shortlisted so please do NOT hound anyone to take you and consider you - you will all be notified.

10. Be realistic for what your strong point will be, ie you might have an amazing bone structure so you could be used for beauty shots but not a fashion shoot.

Last of all goodluck!

Men and Makeup

Majority of my clients are females and of that most of them are models, brides, students or women who want to learn to do their own makeup. There is a very small proportion of men who request makeup but only for themed parties or a special occasion like professional photography.

With new makeup brands emerging, and the media's emphasis on looking good, I often wonder how many men go and buy spot cover or concealer (unless you are a model) for their daily routine. My guess is not many.....please correct me if I am wrong.

If you did a search on makeup for men on google, a range of metrosexual products come up. In order for it to be marketed to men it has to be packaged differently and called by another name! Surely, a mascara is still a mascara even if it is called a MANscara.....

I am intrigued to find out how many men out there would be interested in learning to apply makeup on themselves for whatever reason (that am not interested in).