Search: skincare advice?term=skincare advice

Starting a skincare routine can be daunting as heck. What order do you do things, what things should I put on - is there anything I can realistically leave out? Do I have to spend all that money? Now I'm no skincare specialist, and I'll never claim to be one. If you've a thirst for knowledge about all things skincare then I wholly recommend Caroline Hiron's Skincare - The No Nonsense Guide - it has incredible advice in it and more knowledge than you could ever imagine! There's also two incredible skincare specialists I recommend in Nottingham if you're looking to get specific help. 

However, here are my tips for all skincare types!

New year, new me! Hahaha! If you're anything like me then that phrase will make you laugh hard. I'm still the same old Sali who can't be bothered to wear makeup on a daily basis haha!

But it's the new year, and if you're looking to take up something new (or give up something) then I'd wholly recommend a new skincare regime where you promise to look after your skin. Here's some tips to get you going.

Hope you've all had a cracking Christmas! If you're anything like me, I'm full to the brim with amazing food (roast duck, wow!) and too many bottles of prosecco to count...! Did you get any skincare goodies under your tree for Christmas? This lucky Sali got no7's Ultimate Collection gift set; yay! It's got the no7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day AND Night Cream, oodles of bath goodies and both the Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion and Beautiful Skin Dry Skin Rescue; both staples in my kit at work and at home.

So how is everyone's skin holding up this summer? Between dodging rain showers and the baking heat, I think I’ve just sweat a lot!
The sun might be sporadic but we need to be prepared for it. Following on from my other summer skincare post, as today is the first day of August let's make the effort to look after our skin. Here are some super easy things you can start doing every day!

I apply SPF to my face each day; so much so that I probably remember to do it more than I do brush my hair!

Wedding make-up is about making you look the very best version of yourself possible. Getting to know each other will help us come up with an absolutely perfect plan for your wedding make-up, ensuring you look and feel the very best you can on your big day. When you come for your bridal trial with me, it's our time to get to know each other; you can ask me all your questions about make-up as you'd like! I get a lot of questions about what to bring to a trial, so here are a few pointers.

Vaseline is one of those things ingrained in us that it's moisturising and good for dry lips. In reality, it doesn't moisturise dry lips at all; it causes a barrier over your lips and gives a sense of false hydration :/ Even on their site, they say that it's absorbed into the skin but another question says that it provides a protective barrier; which is it?!

Let's be frank here; if your skincare game isn't on point, then your makeup won't be. You could have half the beauty counter in your makeup bag, but you need a 10/10 skincare regime! So here are some top tips for the winter to get your skin through it in one (gloriously moisturised) piece...

There was once a girl with dry skin who thought she’d never find a foundation to ever make her skin look good. She searched for that wonder product for all her years, and never did her one true foundation come to being. Sad, the felt she’d never get good foundation coverage until she met her fairy make-up godmother who gave her some skincare advice...

I shared this Beyonce retouch photo on my Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I've felt this blog post brewing for a little while, so decided to get my thoughts out after having spoken about it with other industry professionals.

You wake up, you don’t know what time it is, you don’t WANT to know what time it is but you know you’ve got that thing to go to today, and you really don’t want to but you really have to and why, oh why did I have that Sambuca to finish the night... does this sound familiar?! C’mon, let’s not beat about the bush here; holidays are comin’, as are the hangovers. Dirty indulgent hangovers from all the dirty indulgent festive booze...! Here's a photo of me from over 10 years ago after a Christmas party. It is NOT pretty; but it's here to show that I know how awful you can feel (and look, let's be honest!) the morning after the night before when you did all those sambucas...!

Okay, so now it's reeeeally pretty cold and we need to do something about the effects it's having on us. The cold mornings are biting at your nose and toes, your lips are chapped and your skin is drier than a desert. Central heating and air conditioning are awful for your skin. Before this winter really takes hold, take 30 minutes out of your evening to do this and Save Our Skin! If you’re like me, you’re skint in prepping for Christmas so I want to keep this cheap as chips and you can use a lot of ingredients from your kitchen and store cupboard to look after your face. Free beauty treatments? Woo! Maybe you can get your partner or a mate to help or even join in :)

(by Luna Photography aka Flashes and Lashes)

I've been waiting ages for Look Fantastic to set me up with a discount code, but it's finally happened and now I can get you all 20% off loads of stuff there - hooray!

Summertime, the weather is free and easy... and our faces are at risk of slipping around like they are on a slide at a waterpark!

(by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Being in the business for over a decade, I've picked up so many tips from weddings about beauty preparations before the big day that I'd love to pass on to my brides to be!

We are all feeling the cost of living the last 18-24 months, and no more so than at Christmas! So I'm back again with my Christmas Gift guide for all beauty lovers, but breaking it down into price guides and aiming more at the great stocking fillers.

The most used things in my makeup kit are often not items of makeup, or even skincare. Here's a little run down of all the bits and pieces I keep in my travelling makeup kit for a wedding day. You never know when something might come in handy!

I've been doing wedding makeup for twelve years now (I surprised myself when I looked back at my diaries for it!) and have seen so many different weddings with so many different traditions. More and more of my couples are looking to set their own traditions for their weddings, and I'm 100% here for it! I'm particularly looking forward to celebrants being able to legally marry people, and all of my couples based in England being able to get married outdoors without restrictions. Those in Wales and Scotland can get married wherever they want; how cool is that!

Wedding makeup doesn't have to be anything other than unique to you. There are no rules to follow, but I do like to impart such guidance as below. But remember, you're the boss and you get to choose what you take away from them.

Primers are a great part of my makeup kit, and I love telling people in my 1-2-1 lessons how they work and what they are all for. I have a range of my primers in my kit because I need to be prepared for all skin eventualities so you certainly won't need all of these.

Here's my list of year-round goodies that you absolutely MUST have in your make-up bag or on your dressing table.

The lovely team at The INKEY List recently sent me some goodies for a new range they have launched!

Here we are; the Christmas season is upon us and it's time for some of my top makeup picks of the year! Perfect for any makeup lover in your life, or if you're looking to update your own makeup bag for a festive party. Feel free to ask in my Facebook group if you've any questions about products, or you can contact me directly.

Everyone should experience luxury when having their makeup done! After all, it's a special occasion and you deserve to feel truly fabulous, from a wedding day to a day out on the town! That said, I don't think that any animals should be harmed for us to feel this good.

It's why I've been a cruelty-free makeup artist now for over 10 years. That means I won't support brands that sell in countries where animal testing is required for their products to be sold. No products in my kit have been tested on animals, and a very large portion of it is vegan too - which means that there are no animal derived ingredients used either. 

Sadly there's a lot of brands out there that do still test on animals - Nars, MAC, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Elemis, Clinique, and Armarni, to name a few.

There's no need for animal testing in this day and age. You can absolutely have luxury products that are cruelty-free! I will always endeaver to go above and beyond to make sure the items in my kit will deliver impeccable results. 

So here's a few brands that I keep in my kit that you can be assured also have good ethics!

As a make-up artist, it's my job to ensure that your face is picture-perfect on your wedding day.

What you probably won't see on your wedding morning is me watching your face and your body language. I'll watch your expressions and what your face is saying when you're not speaking, see how you're breathing and if you're doing a panic. What you say, how you say it, and what you don't say are all really important to me to make sure that you're ok.

I've had the privilege of being at flippin' loads of wedding mornings; here's the expert advice I've picked up over time which may help you on your big day...

Weddings are a big experience as well as a big expense; you’re in a place you probably won't know that well, wearing a dress and some crazy supportive/restrictive underwear! You probably won’t see your partner until you’re at the aisle, your family may cry, you’ll worry about the flowers/catering/table decorations. Being the centre of attention, everyone is watching you while you’re dancing, eating, crying and speaking. It’s one hell of an experience and can be a stressful one at that!

Apparently the three most stressful things that can happen in your life are moving house, having a child, and getting married. And yet some people do all three in 12-18 months which makes me quite dizzy. Buying my house last summer during peak wedding season was enough to make my head swim, and I didn't even have to move house!

No matter how exciting planning a wedding can be, and it really can be stressful, these stressful situations require some time off. It's a big life event, and you're already balance many things that come with life - work, relationships, running a house, trying to have down time. Don't let yourself be the one you put to the bottom of the pile.

I've had a lovely response to some of these Wedding Make Up Interviews, so today's is with Becca! She married in September 2021 at Hazel Gap Barn. 

Nupur got married at Allington Manor in October 2020, bringing forward her whole wedding by a week to avoid further disruption to their big day from restrictions and rules related to COVID. It all played out beautifully though and Nupur and Paul had their day!

Later this month it's going to be Danielle and Kenton's 8 year anniversary so what better time to share my little interview with Danielle! They got married at Hackwood Farm in 2014.

Someone asked me at a make-up lesson recently what my favourite budget product was. In my make-up kit, I have got a whole range of products and brands and I'll always try to find a high street version of a premium brand. Not always easy but I do try! However, here's 5 products that are all £10.00 or under that I wholly recommend you get for your kit.

So I know it’s a bit early to talk about Christmas but the time has come, and I’m feeling festive already! Maybe it’s the Christmas adverts on TV or mince pies in the shops or the fact that Baileys in on offer EVERYWHERE! Either way, I’m feeling jolly and in the festive spirit (okay, maybe that IS the Baileys...!) so from NOW until CHRISTMAS EVE at 11.59pm, my 1-2-1 make-up lessons are going to be reduced from £65.00 to £50.00!

I've known Nickie through the alt online scene for a fair few years now (Facebook says 5 years, but I reckon longer with the age of Myspace!) she is the owner and founder of Devolution Magazine and The Alt Collective, a fashion and art charity event that started in 2009. She's a one-woman machine with a dedicated contributing team working on the only alternative independent print magazine out there covering fashion, music, art, tattoos, lifestyle culture and photography; Devolution recently released Issue 40 of the magazine signifying 10 years of actual print! A decade of independent publishing is an incredible feat.

With Valentine's Day looming ahead, all I've noticed on TV recently is red lipsticks so I figured I'd write about some of my favourites! 

Investing in the right kit as a makeup artist is so important; when you're working on a number of different faces, you want to be assured that the products in your makeup kit are going to have your back! But as a makeup wearer, noone wants to buy the wrong stuff either. Not in a cost of living crisis, and not when the price of makeup keeps increasing. So I've put together five of my kit essentials that I'll be recommending time and time again, to makeup artists and to makeup lovers alike. And at the bottom of the blog are my discount codes you can use for buying the below products, and 1000's more!

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then the eyebrows are the window frames; and it's soon noticable when they are rotten!

Vintage wedding makeup and pin up wedding makeup have been hotly requested styles of makeup requested of me in the 12+ years I've been doing weddings. For a good few years between 2010 and 2016, I was one half of Flashes and Lashes; a vintage-style makeover photoshoot collaboration between myself and Luna Photography. I didn't have any specific interest in vintage but I think because of this experience it's become almost one of my signature looks with wedding makeup. It's a timeless look that suits so many people, guaranteed to be elegant and sophisticated while still able to amp it up to be as glamourous as you want!

After my little rant a few weeks ago about mascara shelf life, I figured I'd do a little guide on the shelf life of other products that are likely to be in your make-up bag.

There are a bazillion (yes, that's a word!) of articles for the shelf life of make-up but I don't think people really realise why it's so important.

FAQ

Hey, I'm Sali! If you didn't know I'm a specialist wedding and events makeup-artist with well over 10 years of experience and pride myself on having really high standards of service.

If you're looking for a wedding makeup artist, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that I often encounter that might help you when considering booking me!

I'll tell everyone and anyone in earshot how much I love my job.

I get to spend wedding mornings with wonderful clients and get to make them feel and look amazing on one of the best days of their lives! I get to soothe them when they are anxious, tell stupid jokes, give helpful advice, and be a hands-on practical person when it comes to putting on buttonholes, lacing up dresses etc.

Then you're off to get married, I wave you away and often won't see you again! A hug and a kiss and best wishes for the day and poof! You're off to the biggest and best party of your life with all your nearest and dearest, and I'm off for a nap.

But I'd love to keep in touch with you! I don't want to be a one-time fling, so let's stay in touch!

This blog is about how we can keep in touch, and how you can continue to support your wedding makeup artist (or any other supplier that you've clicked with!) after your wedding day.

Welcome to the first in an ongoing series of little Q&A-type interviews with my previous wedding clients! I figured these would be useful for future brides-to-be. First up today is Hannah, who married in July 2019 at her home in Lady Bay, Nottingham. 

Having now been in business well over a decade, I've seen the trends come, go, and change but the one that's stuck around and if anything, grown in its power, is that of ethics and sustainability.

I wrote at length about being cruelty-free and using vegan makeup where possible here, but I wanted to go further than that so you can know what efforts I'm making and changing to be a sustainable and ethically responsible business. I want you to know that behind the scenes I'm doing what I can to make sure you're beautiful and the planet isn't hurt by my practices.

Love them or hate them, lash extensions are here to stay. Thankfully it's totally a personal preference, but here's my tuppence worth of knowledge and opinion about having them for your wedding day...

Martin Cheung is an East Midlands based wedding photographer. He loves big smiles, laughing with his couples, and generally making everyone feel comfortable, happy, and chilled out. It's truly the best recipe for a wedding morning, which is why he's one of my recommended suppliers. 

I recently wrote up this list for BODY, the Body Dysmorphia (BDD) charity I volunteer for. Lauren the CEO asked me to write a quick list of things that are cheap/easy to do that will help you feel better about you. So if you have 5 minutes for self-care or 50 minutes, there's something in here for you.

Lilith contacted me in very early January this year to book me for her wedding make-up after following me on Instagram for a while. She wanted mega natural make-up, matte shadow and luscious lashes – and so we delivered! We had some emails back and forth about dry skin and irritated peeling lips so I gave her some advice to get her skin in tip-top condition for her wedding day and wedding make-up. She said (and I quote) "Thank you so much for your message and such kind words – I am now about 100000% sure I have picked the right person to do my wedding make up!"

Today's blog is an interview with Andy from Saywell HQ Photography. I've only met Andy once, but with the type of person he is, we clicked straight away! He's a good human and you can get his personality from this interview. He's one of my recommended suppliers, and I'm super pleased I've got more weddings with him this year :)

"Nottinghamshire-based photographer; stealthy! Passionate about photography, professional and takes really lovely non-intrusive photos and captures really lovely moments without you ever knowing he was there. Apart from his epic beard ;)"

If you're getting married this summer, here are what dates I have left available. If you're looking for weekdays or Sundays, then please send me a message; I have plenty of availability :)

Cleaning brushes is a make-up artists never-ending task. It just goes on and on and on – and when you’ve got weddings back to back, it sometimes feels like you’re in a never-ending cycle of cleaning them. I’ve often dreamt about cleaning them or having not cleaned them and then panicking, and then I’ve woken up exhausted!

I've been providing a vegan bridal service for over five years now, and it's been so great to hear from clients that they've booked me specifically because of this service. I've always been staunchly cruelty-free in my makeup kit for nearly 10 years, and I won't use brands that test on animals.

So what does it mean, cruelty-free or vegan?

I was considering writing this as a blog myself, and I may still do it one day but today, this blog comes to you from my client Heather in a review she left me on Google... have a look here if you don't believe I didn't write this DREAMY review myself.

During my 1-2-1 makeup lessons, I'm often asked about my favourite nude eyeshadow palettes. A staple for versitility, no matter your makeup style, nude eyeshadow palettes will have something for everyone. Matte eyeshadows have have a flat finish, which is great for achieving a natural look. More shimmery or metallica eyeshadows are more radiant and glam. I love a mix of the two, but I'd certainly lean more towards shimmery eyeshadows; probably because I'm a bit of a magpie! Here are some of my favourites nude eyeshadow palettes.

Next week is International Women's Day (it's 8th March) and I'm here to celebrate all the incredible women in my area of the wedding industry who drive forward and lift others up. With the theme of #EmbraceEquity here's some of the my personal favourites within my industry that I want to sing about, and are doing things that should be shouted about.

It's just a flick... one little, tiny eyeliner flick... 

SO WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO MAKE THEM EVEN AND POINT THE SAME WAY?!

(photo by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Jenny got in touch with me in January 2017 about her wedding in June 2017, but due to a mix up with an email address, I wasn't able to get in touch with her! Technology well and truly failed us, and I took to Facebook to look for people with her name and surname. Alas, I couldn't find her so couldn't let her know I was available for her wedding makeup. This made me sad because she'd said she really liked the photos on my website! Fast forward to June 2017 and unfortunately, the make-up artist she'd booked had been taken ill and she contacted me again with the right email address and I was still available! We arranged a trial, high-fived on the make-up and breathed a big ole sigh of relief.

Welcome to the season of sparkle and joy! As the festive spirit takes over, what better way to celebrate than by giving the gift of glamour? This Christmas, immerse your loved ones in a world of beauty with my carefully curated makeup gift guide.

Whether you're shopping for a makeup enthusiast or someone just starting their beauty journey, we've got the perfect picks to make their holiday season merry and bright.

Man, I have so many brushes. I bought a few single ones when I started getting into makeup then my lovely friends bought me a whole roll of makeup brushes and I didn’t know what many of them did; so many new and exciting things, I was gobsmacked! I now have two brush 'kits' (my personal one and my professional one), and I’ve changed many around when I’ve found better quality ones. That said, I don't spend loads on my brushes; there are a few specialist brushes that I've splurged on and some have been fabulous, some have been atrocious but it's one of my mid-range brushes that's my favourite make-up brush.

Make-up lessons are one of my favourite things to do; I love putting makeup on people and giving little tips and hints on how to do things better or recommending a product to them. I pride myself on being down to earth and being a realist; I’m not one for spending buckets on lotions and potions, but I like to find the stuff that works and recommend things I’ve tried and liked or that I think is good value for money. I like a good bargain!! That said, you really do get what you pay for; you're instantly going to tell the difference in quality in certain products, be it skincare or make-up.

(by Luna Photography)

I'm fizzing with excitement that I'm going to be working with the inimitable award-winning boudoir photographer Tigz Rice on three makeover days in London in early 2022!

Caitlin & Kelsea got married in October 2023 in the most gorgeous autumnal styled wedding I've ever seen. Ever! Marrying at the wonderful Hodsock Priory, the trees and leaves surrounding the venue were just the most perfect colour ever, coupled with the stunning jewel toned bouquet, matching Caitlin's bridesmaids dresses, AND Kelsea's tailored wedding suit in the most sumptuous deep dark velvet. LUUUUSH. Read more here...

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Tags: wedding makeup review, vintage makeup, client review, Hodsock Priory, Nottinghamshire wedding, Autumn Wedding, cruelty-free makeup, 2023 wedding, 2023, vegan makeup, vegan wedding, colourful wedding, Wedding Make Up Interview With

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14 March 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Philippa

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Philippa and Peter got married in July 2022 at The Old Vicarage in Southwell. A gorgeous venue, but one this time I wouldn't be visiting! Philippa chose to get ready at her parents home and then travel over to The Old Vicarage to get into her dress, and then have some time taking photos. I love it when brides do it their way! I've also known Philippa for around 10 years so it was lovely to catch up with her, some of her family that I've previously met too, and one of my past brides. Here's what she said to my interview questions!

 

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Tags: bridal make-up, wedding makeup, wedding morning, wedding trial, make-up artist, wedding makeup review, flawless make up, client review, freelance makeup artist, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, cruelty-free makeup, 2022 wedding, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist

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17 September 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Emma

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Emma got married in August 2021 at The Gilstrap, the Newark Registration Office. While we had some worries early in 2021 as to if the wedding would go ahead or not (pesky COVID!) she managed to keep her wedding date as planned and partied hard. Emma's not a big makeup person, and wanted a super light look that freshened her up.

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Tags: bridal make-up, wedding morning, Summer Wedding, 2021 Wedding, 2021, Wedding Make Up Interview With

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06 August 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Louise

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Louise and Luke got married in Elvaston Castle in September 2019. You might have already seen some photos from their wedding day on my blog here, and you'll also recognise Louise from my interview with her as Kickass Gatherings. She very kindly answered my interview questions and so I wanted to share them here, and more images from her gorgeous day! One of the smiliest brides ever, and she also had my lovely vintgae hair pal Sarah from Pin Up Curl on styling duties. 

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Tags: Derbyshire wedding, Pin Up Curl, Illamasqua, wedding suppliers, red lipstick, vintage makeup, Team Pin Up Moo, client review, Elvaston Castle, Summer Wedding, 2019 Wedding, vintage hair, Wedding Make Up Interview With, Kickass Gatherings

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11 April 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Rebecca

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Rebecca and Andy were married in June 2022 in the very lovely Abbey Farm, in Lincolnshire. I'd never been up that way before but I do love a roadtrip and it was a lovely day for it! I'm always happy to travel for my clients, just let me know where we're going - have car and passport, and will travel!

It was lovely to work with two of my recommended suppliers too! The lovely Pin Up Curl on hair, and then Andy from SaywellHQ on photography duties. You can see all my recommended suppliers here. 

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Tags: Pin Up Curl, bridal hair, bridal make-up, vintage makeup, client review, Summer Wedding, vintage hair, Saywell HQ, 2022 weddings, 2022 wedding, 2022, Wedding Make Up Interview With

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15 August 2023

Interview: Kickass Gatherings

Categories: Supplier Interviews

You might recognise Louise on my blog, as she's been featured a couple of times now - both as a bride and on my International Women's Day blog this year! This time she's here in her professional capacity as a a professional Humanist celebrant, aka Kickass Gatherings!

 

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Tags: Illamasqua, wedding suppliers, 2019 Wedding, interview, recommended supplier, Kickass Gatherings, International Women's Day, wedding planning, celebrant

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06 June 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Mel

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Mel and Ian got married in October 2021 at Lower Damgate Farm in Ashbourne. They had orginally planned for October 2020 but when lcokdowns got extended, they bumped their wedding day by a year and decided to keep all toes and fingers crossed for the day they had always wanted, just 12 months later that originally planned. 

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Tags: Derbyshire wedding, brides to be, bridal make-up, client review, Summer Wedding, 2021 Wedding, COVID, cruelty-free makeup, 2021, vegan makeup, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, alpacas

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15 March 2021

Interview: Anna Rose Heaton

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Anna Rose Heaton is a wedding and family photographer, but also a trusted retoucher of other wedding photographers in the East Midlands. Her photography style is best described as romantic and she gets stunning images you won't have even thought about, or seen her taking! She’s a diamond and she loves a pun, so we're kindred spirits!

I love that Anna's Instagram feed is just full of beautiful authentic happy smiles, that were just so blissed out in a specific moment and she caught that moment forever in a photo. Smiling is lovely, as is Anna :) I asked her some questions about her business and the lockdown, and she's kindly answered here :)

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Tags: lipstick, wedding suppliers, professionals, retouching, self-employed, styled photoshoot, Ed Godden Photography, Curious Magpie, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Autumn Wedding, Mon Amie Hair, 2020 Wedding, 2019 Wedding, photographer, Nottingham Photographer, pandemic, interview, COVID, recommended supplier, Anna Rose Heaton Photography, Holme Pierrepont Hall

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08 February 2016

Power lipstick

Categories: Personal, Products

Lipstick is so underrated. In these cold and dark weeks after Christmas, everyone's mood slums and enthusiasm for the New Year wains ever so slightly until the days noticeably get longer and payday comes around again. Last week was a washout. I felt rubbish about everything and couldn't motivate myself at all, then I beat myself up for feeling like that instead of being nice to myself. I had to nap because I was exhausted from not sleeping properly, so I wasn't kind to myself about that either! When you feel this low, it's difficult to motivate yourself. I'd flicked through my Timehop in bed and came across this:

"Today is a power lipstick kind of day."

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Tags: about me, No7, Illamasqua, gratitude, anxiety, lipstick, motivation, makeup, red lipstick, eyebrows, selfie, 2016

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12 September 2016

MAC and me

Categories: Products

"Do you use MAC make-up?"

It’s a question I get asked a lot as to what make-up brands I keep in my kit. When a potential client enquires, I go through a few names (the big brands and the smaller ones) but there’s noticeably one missing which would often be in other make-up artists’ kits. As I then say that I don't use their products before I've had a chance to explain I feel it sometimes goes against me as I then have to justify why I don’t.

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Tags: Illamasqua, Products, lipstick, makeup, vegan, red lipstick, beauty, make-up artist, make-up brushes, MAC Cosmetics, in my kit, cruelty free, Urban Decay, ELF Cosmetics, NYX cosmetics, Sugarpill Cosmetics, ethical

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02 April 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Lucy Sutton

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Lucy contacted me in 2020 to book her and Adam's wedding in for 2021, full of hope that the world would've returned to normal. Alas it wasn't, so we shuffled to 2022 and her and Adam did the paperwork earlier. They weren't compromising on their big wedding reception at the lovely Setcops Farm! 

On meeting Lucy, she had two stipulations - she absolutely wanted me to use my Bridal Eyes eyeshadow palette, and wanted a red lip. So, that's exactly what we did!

On the big day, I got her and her three bridesmaids ready super early in the morning as Lucy had some engagement photos done with Adam and their dog Aria before guests arrived. They were super relaxed about their morning and because of it, they just had the absolute best time! As you can see from their photos below :)

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Tags: Illamasqua, eyeshadow palette, red lipstick, wedding morning, make-up artist, freelance makeup artist, 2022 weddings, 2022 wedding, 2022, Bridal Eyes, COVID wedding, Lincolnshire Wedding, pin up wedding makeup

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18 July 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Melanie

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Mel and Gawin finally got to say their "I dos!" in January 2022, having had to reschedule from October 2020 and February 2021. She married her beau Gawin at Morley Hayes, in Derbyshire. 

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Tags: Derbyshire wedding, bridal make-up, winter wedding, COVID, 2022 weddings, 2022 wedding, 2022, Wedding Make Up Interview With, COVID wedding, wedding planning

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10 December 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Sammy

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Sammy and Tim's said their I do's and got married on the last day of me being 37 in 2024! Marrying at a church local to Sammy's parents house, they had their wedding reception at Tim's family house with a tipi in the garden for their reception. In their garden, Tim has a massive double decker bus which has been quite the feature in Sammy and Tim's courtship back in the day, when as a young group of pals they'd hang out and have it as their den! They've been working on doing it up for sometime, especially before the wedding. Sammy was kind enough to answer some questions for me recently so I could feature her wedding on my blog! 

 

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Tags: wedding makeup review, client review, 2024, Lincolnshire Wedding

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06 February 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kristy

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

We all remember that super hot weekend in September, right? The one with the 35 degree weather? Yeah, that's when Kristy got married! She got ready with her bestie Nikki, and her Mum Sandy at The Mercure in Nottingham, before marrying JP at the The Lord Mayor's Parlour in the Nottingham Council House in an intimate ceremony followed by a meal and a knees up in the evening. It was THE HOTTEST morning I've ever known, but she absolutely kept her cool because she wasn't at all worried about her wedding and had planned the day exactly as her and JP wanted it. 

Remember that it's your day, so do it your way! Do exactly what YOU both want.

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Tags: brides to be, bridal make-up, wedding makeup, wedding makeup review, eyeliner, client review, Summer Wedding, Nottingham Council House Wedding, 2023 wedding, 2023, Wedding Make Up Interview With

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04 July 2023

Interview: Red Robin Cakery

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Red Robin Cakery is ran by the lovely Sophie, who's been baking for nearly seven years. I've only met Sophie once (during lockdown when she was creating incredible brownie boxes!) but we always seem to end up having weddings together and realise later in the day on Instagram when I see which venue she's been to drop off a cake that morning!

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Tags: Derbyshire wedding, wedding suppliers, Nottinghamshire wedding, interview, recommended supplier, wedding planning, Red Robin Cakery

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09 May 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Heather

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Next up on my interview series is the lovely Heather! You may already recognise her from my blog last year, 10 Reasons To Choose Ms Moo For Your Wedding Day. And no, it's not a blog I wrote or even asked her to write! The blog came about after she wrote me the most gorgeous Google review. Heather and Rob had two incredible wedding days; the first was their legal date in October 2020 where they were still under restrictions, and then in September 2022 where they had an almighty party at the Pheasantry Brewery with all their friends and family! Here's some more from Heather... 

 

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Tags: bridal make-up, flawless make up, client review, Ed Godden Photography, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, Nottingham Photographer, interview, COVID, recommended supplier, 2022 wedding, 2022, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, Moira Borg Hairstylist

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23 May 2023

Interview: Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing

Categories: Supplier Interviews

I'm bringing back my recommended supplier interviews! There's still a few on my recommended list that I haven't interviewed, so I figured I'd catch a few more for 2023. Starting with the lovely Robyn aka Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing. I wrote about her for International Women's Day too as she's making great waves both in a hairstyling way, winning National awards, and for the LGBTQ+ community in setting up All In Love; an inclusive wedding fair in Lincolnshire. Here's a bit more about her and her business!

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Tags: wedding suppliers, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, award-winning, Nottinghamshire wedding, The Wedding Industry Awards, 2021 Wedding, interview, 2022 wedding, Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing, Lincolnshire Wedding

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02 April 2017

My eyebrows and me; part two

Categories: Personal

I posted this blog back in September 2016 about my eyebrows and me. The appointment with the salon I had booked my eyebrows with didn't go ahead, and it did knock my confidence a bit; my eyebrows are really important to me, and not having had any for 10+ years it was really disappointing to be treated so badly. But it didn't deter me in finally getting them done, it just took me 6 months to find time where I could get them done!

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Tags: about me, tattoos, before and after, eyebrows, Trichotillomania, microblading, Charmaine

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19 December 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Emily

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Emily and Mitch had their wedding at Inkersall Grange Farm back in August 2021. They'd postponed twice due to the pandemic but we're determined to have all their family and friends around them for their festival-themed wedding! They had their legal paperwork done secretly the year before so as not to spoil their big music festival themed day, and then absolutely smashed out a weekends worth of partying in one night!

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Tags: bridal make-up, wedding makeup, wedding makeup review, vintage makeup, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, 2021 Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, COVID, 2021, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, festival wedding, 2000 cranes, Inkershall Grange

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10 October 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Hayley

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Hayley and Stu got married in August 2022, having delayed their wedding from 2020 due to the pandemic. They married at the lovely Swancar Farm, but she got ready with her wedding party at home in Wollaton. Hayley first contacted me back in 2018 so it was really lovely to finally get her ready for her big day!

 

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Tags: brides to be, bridal make-up, wedding makeup review, makeup artist, flawless make up, vintage makeup, behind the scenes, client review, freelance makeup artist, Swancar Farm, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, interview, COVID, Award Winning Make Up Artist, cruelty-free makeup, Swancar Farm Country House, 2022 wedding, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, pin up wedding makeup

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21 November 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kirsten

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Kirsten and Chris had their festival themed wedding in September 2021 at the wonderful Sherwood Glade. Getting ready at home in Sherwood with her besties and brood, she then drove herself to the wedding at Arnot Hill in her open top car. What a rockstar!

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Tags: bridal make-up, make-up artist, wedding makeup review, vintage makeup, behind the scenes, polka dots, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, 2021 Wedding, Award Winning Make Up Artist, 2021, Wedding Make Up Interview With, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, festival wedding, Frock

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11 February 2021

Interview: Rock N Roller Hair

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Sarah from Rock n Roller Hair is a font of all knowledge relating to wedding hair. She's also the absolute go to person for all things hair extensions, as she's trained in ten different methods. Who know there were 10 methods to even know about?! She's super calm to work with on a wedding morning, and we always have a giggle together. I asked her about her experience in the wedding industry and how she's finding lockdowns and not being able to work...

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Tags: Wedding, Products, wedding suppliers, brides to be, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, wedding morning, in my kit, professionals, self-employed, Rock N Roller Hair, hair wear, Everyone's Looking Rosie, interview, COVID, recommended supplier, 2021

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05 December 2016

Lizzie's wedding day

Categories: Weddings

I've known Lizzie for quite a while as I work for the same company as her, and I'd done her make-up a few times for Flashes and Lashes' shoots. She emailed me in September 2014 to ask about wedding availability for August 2015 as she wanted to check if some of her favourite suppliers were available before she booked the venue... how honoured am I?!

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Tags: Flashes and Lashes, tattoos, lipstick, wedding suppliers, red lipstick, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, bridal make-up, Luna Photography, Lucille's Locks, wedding makeup, wedding morning, wedding trial, make-up artist, wedding makeup review, makeup lesson, vintage makeup

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16 December 2016

Sutherland and Barnett - Part Two

Categories: Personal

What is this, another blog? I've got other blogs lined up to see out the rest of 2016, but I couldn't leave the year without another instalment from my hair adventures with Sutherland and Barnett. To re-cap (no pun intended!), I won £1000.00 of hairdressing services from them to use over 12 months! Hayley was tasked with colouring my hair and telling me what was achievable and suitable for me. Good honest advice is always welcomed! At my consultation, she took a strand of my hair to test how well it would lighten and told me to book out a good 6 hours for my transformation...

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Tags: Illamasqua, lipstick, hairstylist, selfie, Olaplex, Sutherland and Barnett

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15 September 2020

Interview: Ed Godden

Categories: Supplier Interviews

I've worked with some fantastic photographers in my time, but there are few that I recommend unless I've met them and know them to be thoroughly awesome people. Ed Godden is one such person! I met Ed when he photographed Maya and Jamie's big day in 2015. Any time I get a wedding booking where I know he'll be photographing it, I do a little leap for joy. JUST LOOK AT THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS! Ed's been in the business a while so he's quite the wedding photographer alumni, but he's not faced a pandemic before either so I caught up with him about how's his 2020 been so far...

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Tags: Wedding, Derbyshire wedding, Rock n Roll Bride, wedding suppliers, red lipstick, make-up artist, professionals, makeup artist, freelance makeup artist, self-employed, Ed Godden Photography, 2015, Donington Park Farmhouse, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, 2019 Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, photographer, Nottingham Photographer, 2019, pandemic, interview, COVID, pinup make up

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20 February 2024

Interview: Helen Sutcliffe

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Helen Sutcliffe is a wedding hairstylist with over 10 years experience of being a freelance wedding stylist. Being a cruelty-free wedding makeup artist, I flippin' love that she's so staunchly cruelty-free - beauty products don't need to be tested on animals! Helen's got such a lovely calming presence on a wedding morning - she's the quieter version of me, watching everything that's going on, and looks after her bride in such a gentle and loving way. I love that she always (ALWAYS) has a half way treat of a can of Diet Coke!

I caught up with her for my first recommended supplier interview of 2024...

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Tags: photoshoot, wedding suppliers, wedding hair, cruelty free, Helen Sutcliffe Hair, recommended supplier

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16 April 2024

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Lottie and Emma

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Lottie and Emma got married at the lovely Cockliffe Country House in July 2023. They'd originally planned for 2020, but then EVERYTHING happened and they postponed to 2021. Seeing how things we're in early 2021, they decided to postpone their wedding reception to 2023 so that COVID could absolutely chuff off and they would be safe in the knowledge their wedding celebrations would be as full throttle as they initially planned!

And it absolutely was, but they had damn good reason to celebrate. Not only had they dealt with the pandemic, they relocated back to Nottingham after living in London for 10 years. Lottie also underwent emergency urgent spinal surgery the week of her legal ceremony. A rough couple of years, but these two were ready to let their hair down...!

Lottie and Emma both answered these questions seperately by email so don't know what the other answered, haha!

 

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Tags: red lipstick, Luna Photography, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, recommended supplier, 2023 wedding, 2023, colourful wedding, Wedding Make Up Interview With, COVID wedding, Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing, celebrant, Lottie L'Amour

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15 February 2021

Interview: Mon Amie

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Where have the last five months gone, does anyone know?! There have been so many tier shifts, restrictions, and lockdowns that I haven't known if I'm coming or going. I know I'm not the only one in the wedding industry (or beauty industry, for that matter) who feels like this. The months have felt never-ending, especially when waiting to hear when we can return to work. I miss being a wedding makeup artist so much! I miss my clients. I got to see some in the latter part of 2020 which filled me with such joy!

One such wedding was with one of my recommended suppliers and super wonderful wedding besties, Mon Amie. We caught up at that wedding and despite not being able to hug as we always do, the warmth from being in her company again gave me such hope. She's a wonderful hairstylist and a wonderful human. Find out more about her, her lockdown, and her wishes for the future below!

 

(by Twig and Vine Photography)

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Tags: Wedding, wedding suppliers, brides to be, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, bridal make-up, self-employed, The West Mill, hair wear, Nottinghamshire wedding, Mon Amie Hair, 2020 Wedding, Wollaton Hall Wedding

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26 September 2023

Interview: Moira Borg

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Moira has been working as a hairstylist for over 15 years, but specialised in bridal hairstyling for around half of that time. It's always a joy to work with Moira on a wedding morning, knowing what a calming prescence she has and cheeky sense of humour like me.

As she's a recommended supplier of mine, I wanted to interview her so you know more about her!

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Tags: wedding suppliers, brides to be, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, bridesmaids, wedding morning, behind the scenes, self-employed, Ed Godden Photography, Swancar Farm, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Nottingham Photographer, interview, recommended supplier, Award Winning Make Up Artist, cruelty-free makeup, Swancar Farm Country House, 2022 wedding, COVID wedding, Moira Borg Hairstylist, Pheasantry Brewery

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29 August 2023

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Stephanie

Categories: Wedding Make Up Interview

Steph and Sam got legally wed in November 2020, but decided to postpone their big wedding to 2021 so that they could celebrate with all their family and friends freely. They did their legal bit in their local registry office and then held their wedding reception and informal ceremony at The Old Vicarage, just a few days shy of their legal anniversary. Getting to be a part of both of their days was an utter honour, especially as I've known Steph for over 10 years.

 

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Tags: bridal make-up, wedding makeup, wedding morning, make-up artist, vintage makeup, winter wedding, client review, freelance makeup artist, fascinators, hair wear, Nottinghamshire wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, COVID, Award Winning Make Up Artist, cruelty-free makeup, 2022 wedding, 2022, more than a makeup artist, COVID wedding, The Old Vicarage

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26 April 2021

Interview: Pear and Bear Photography

Categories: Supplier Interviews

Anna from Pear and Bear Photography asked me to do makeup for a styled wedding photoshoot back in September 2017. I couldn't attend the photoshoot so I was super excited to see the photos and all the efforts the team had put together for the shoot, and I fell in love with them. The images were so soft and beautiful, and I adored the colours. This is still the most epic bouquet shot I've ever seen! She's a lovely human being and coupled with being a photographer, she's a self-belief business coach. I caught up with her about her photography work, and how COVID has been for her...

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Tags: Wedding, photoshoot, makeup, wedding suppliers, bridal hair, bridal make-up, Lucille's Locks, wedding morning, make-up artist, makeup artist, winter wedding, freelance makeup artist, self-employed, Wollaton Hall, styled photoshoot, save the date, flower crown, Nottinghamshire wedding, Summer Wedding, Autumn Wedding, Mon Amie Hair, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist, Save The Date Magazine, Wollaton Hall Wedding, photographer, Nottingham Photographer, recommended supplier, Pear and Bear Photography

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20 June 2016

jayerockett.com

Categories: Personal

I got to know Jaye through Twitter, as a blogger with a witty tongue and kind heart. She writes passionately and loves make-up; why wouldn't I love her?! We spoke about her dissertation piece in which she had to produce a magazine, and she asked if I'd write an article for it. I really enjoyed writing it so I've copied it below but you can see all things Jaye related on her blog here. (p.s. she does some AWESOME sale posts every now and then, keep your peepers out!)

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Tags: about me, makeup, beauty, make-up artist, selfie, 2016

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12 May 2020

Make Up Brands In My Kit

Categories: Make-up Lessons, Products

When clients get in touch about booking me for wedding makeup, I'm often asked what's in my makeup kit and what products I use. Once you've come to my studio in Hockley in the city centre of Nottingham, you'll soon see the extent of my kit!

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Tags: Illamasqua, makeup, vegan, bridal make-up, wedding makeup, make-up artist, make-up brushes, foundation, in my kit, makeup lesson, cruelty free, freelance makeup artist, Emily and Katy Photography

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18 August 2020

Interview: Everyone's Looking Rosie

Categories: Supplier Interviews

I've brought back my interview series! I did them a few years ago, but I'm going to bring them back and let you all find out for yourselves about some of my favourite wedding suppliers. First up in the list is Rosie, from Everyone's Looking Rosie. 

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Tags: Wedding, Derbyshire wedding, wedding suppliers, hairstylist, bridal hair, wedding hair, bridal make-up, wedding morning, selfie, professionals, behind the scenes, self-employed, Kula Tsurdiu, Donington Park Farmhouse, Nottinghamshire wedding, 2019 Wedding, Nottingham Wedding Make Up Artist

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14 December 2015

Is this thing on...?

Categories: Personal

So I’m Sali, I’m 29 and I’ve lived in Nottingham for about ten years. I hail from Wrexham in Wales and have been a make-up artist for around 8 years now. My nickname on moving to Nottingham was Salimoo and when I needed to decide on a business name, Ms Moo Make Up was just a natural choice.

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Tags: about me, behind the scenes, 2015

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01 October 2022

2024 Prices

Categories: Weddings

2024 Wedding Make Up Prices

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Tags: 2024

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15 August 2019

2019 Wedding date availability

Categories: Weddings

My blog post with available wedding dates last year was super busy and seemingly useful, so here's the 2019 version! If you're getting married in 2019, here are what Friday and Saturday's I have left available. If you're looking for weekdays or Sundays, then please send me a message; I have plenty of availability! :)

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Tags: Wedding, Derbyshire wedding, makeup, brides to be, bridal make-up, wedding makeup, bridesmaids, wedding morning, wedding trial, make-up artist, wedding makeup review, professionals, flawless skin, makeup artist, flawless make up, vintage makeup, winter wedding, freelance makeup artist, award-winning

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01 September 2021

2023 Wedding Make Up Prices

Categories: Weddings

2023 Wedding Make Up Prices

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Tags: 2023 wedding, 2023

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01 August 2021

2022 Wedding Make Up Prices

Categories: Weddings

2022 Wedding Make Up Prices

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Tags: 2022 weddings, wedding prices, 2022

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01 January 2020

Social Media Links

Social Media Links

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Tags: about me, makeup, brides to be, bridal make-up, wedding makeup, wedding morning, wedding trial, advice, make-up artist, makeup lesson, makeup artist, freelance makeup artist, Freelance Makeup Specialist of the Year

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