How to Use Printed Photos to Enhance Your Makeup Skills

Nowadays, the tactile experience of holding photo prints has become somewhat rare. However, their tangible presence and clarity make them invaluable, especially in professions demanding precision and growth.

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For makeup artists and enthusiasts for instance, printed photos can be a significant asset. From providing visual inspiration and evaluation to tracking your progress, photo prints can play an indispensable role when developing your makeup skills.

Using Printed Photos for Inspiration

Printed photos are not only stunning to look at, but they can also provide budding makeup artists with inspiration, encouragement, and new ideas.

In fact, you could even use some printed photos as a makeup muse. Makeup is as much about artistry as it is about technique. And like any artist, sourcing inspiration is pivotal. Photo prints of diverse faces, makeup trends, art pieces, or even nature can ignite the spark for your next innovative look.

If you tend to stick to the same palette when creating new makeup looks, the vibrant hues of a printed image can serve as a reference point for curating your makeup palette. Whether it's the gradient of a sunset or the myriad colours in a bird's plumage, photo prints can guide your choice of eyeshadows, lip colours, and more to new, unexplored horizons.

Evaluating Your Work with Printed Photos

While it may not be the most enjoyable practice, being able to scrutinise your makeup application is key to refining your skills. Photographing your work and studying the photo prints allows for a detailed analysis. From the symmetry of eyebrows to the blending of contours, you can spot areas that need improvement.

Plus, for those considering makeup as a career, curating a professional portfolio is crucial. High-quality photo prints of your best works can make a compelling case for your expertise when presented to potential employers or clients.

Track the Progress of Your Makeup Skills

Every artist evolves, and this journey is worth capturing. By maintaining a chronological collection of photo prints of your makeup looks over time, you can witness your growth, changes in style, and improvements in technique over time.

Also, as you experiment with novel makeup styles or techniques, having printed references of your initial attempts versus your latest endeavours can serve as motivational benchmarks. They not only highlight your progress but also encourage you to keep pushing the boundaries of your makeup looks.

Make the Most of Makeup Workshops and Tutorials

If you're attending a makeup workshop, often, there are crucial takeaways, be it a specific technique, a look, or a trend. Having these insights as photo prints can serve as a quick reference guide, making your practice more effective later down the line.

Prefer to learn about makeup and technique online? Printing these step-by-step guides in the form of images or screenshots can make the learning process more tactile and immersive, as you can place them beside your makeup station for easy reference.

Create Your Own Vision Board

Creating a mood board using photo prints of desired makeup looks, textures, and colours can be a powerful visualisation tool for your makeup journey. Whether you're prepping for a specific event or imagining a seasonal look, these boards can be your guide whenever you need it. By including advanced makeup techniques on your vision board,this can also serve as daily motivation to improve your skills.

There’s no denying that the journey to makeup mastery is an ongoing one, filled with experiments, learning, and evolution. Incorporating photo prints into this voyage not only provides tangible inspiration and reference but also celebrates milestones and benchmarks.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

How to celebrate ‘Galentine’s Day’ in style

Sure, you’ve heard of Valentine’s Day. You might make special plans each year, from date night with a partner to sending hopeful Valentine’s Day cards to crushes. But have you been missing out on Galentine’s Day?

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It officially falls on February 13th, the day before the big one, and it’s a great way to honour your best female friendships. Galentine’s Day came about thanks to Amy Poehler’s character in the TV series Parks and Recreation and has since taken off among gals across the world, regardless of relationship status!

Whether this is your first year celebrating or you’re hunting fresh ideas, here are five fun options to get your group chat going.

Sisters’ staycation

Flight prices are going to ‘continue to rise’, according to the Jet2 boss. So if an indulgent trip abroad is beyond your gang’s means, why not holiday together closer to home?

You could book a cottage somewhere and enjoy the British countryside away from work, kids and irritating partners. Or maybe a city-centre apartment is more your group’s vibe.

At the end of the day, location shouldn’t matter too much; being together is what’s important on Galentine’s.

Dinner and drinks

Few activities allow you to properly catch up quite like a night on the town. You could book a meal to settle everyone’s stomachs before moving onto a few bars. Eat, drink and chat, then dance the night away! Square Meal is perfect for finding restaurants, bars and even venues for hire.

Alternatively, why not start early with a bottomless brunch? Or keep things civilised with an alcohol-free event, like coffee or hot cocoa and cake.

Gals’ night in

Of course, there’s no obligation to go out for Galentine’s Day. You could have just as much fun by staying in, especially since it falls on a Monday this year!

You might host a dinner party if you back your skills in the kitchen or keep things simple with a takeaway instead. Once everyone’s fed, move on to high-energy games or a nostalgic movie night.

Pampering

If your gang doesn’t get much opportunity for self-care in everyday life, then a day of pampering could be the answer. Head to your nearest spa or book in for some beauty appointments - not that you need any!

If those options aren’t your style, perhaps some retail therapy will do the trick. Take your time, try new outfits together and offer plenty of positive encouragement!

A healthy challenge

For a completely different approach, your team could take on a physical challenge of some sort. That might mean hiking a nearby mountain, skydiving or just trying a new gym class.

Whatever the case, you’ll feel even better for coming through it together – and more motivated to start!

Could any of these ideas suit your squad this Galentine’s Day?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Korean Beauty Trends You Need To Jump on Board With

South Korea has always enjoyed a pretty buoyant beauty industry. In 2023, the market for personal care and beauty products was worth more than £10.5 billion. However, it’s only in the past decade or so that the K-Beauty phenomenon has broken the borders of the Korean Peninsula and inspired trends in the West and elsewhere. Nowadays, you’ll find many Korean cosmetics sitting alongside familiar brands online and in your favourite stores. Wondering which K-Beauty trends you should be following? We’ve got you covered.

Don’t Be Afraid of Face Oils

If you’ve always wanted to incorporate face oils into your routine but were worried about acne-prone skin reacting to them, K-Beauty has the solution. With Korean beauty products, there’s a key focus on all-natural ingredients, with most face oils derived from plants. When delicately applied, they'll nourish your skin, leaving it hydrated and looking smoother. Not ready to brave the waters of face oils just yet? Korean brand Beauty of Joseon offers some incredibly effective moisturising gels that are perfect for oily skin.

Introducing Filter Creams

Feel like a fraud every time you reach for those filter effects after taking a selfie? If you want to be a little more authentic with your appearance, there’s always filter cream. A staple K-Beauty trend, this stuff does exactly what it says on the tin. Once used, your skin will be glowing, looking as though you’ve reached for your go-filter on a smartphone screen. Need more convincing? Far from being a heavy concealer, it’s actually a moisturiser that will nourish the skin. The fact that unsightly lines and pores are blurred is just a benefit.

Don’t Reach for Those Tweezers Just Yet

You probably spend far too much time perfecting your eyebrows. Whether you’re someone who favours barely-there eyebrows or have embraced the power brow, there’s a fair amount of maintenance involved to keep them looking their best. However, the Koreans like to do things a little differently. Slightly feathered brows with separated strands is the ideal here. What’s more, it’s an easy look to pull off.

Rethink Your Beauty Tools

Your cosmetic case is probably bursting at the seams with applicators and accessories you barely use. However, there’s one beauty tool worth adding to your repertoire. In Korea, spatulas are a staple. They’re perfect for applying thin layers of foundation, making them a must if you’re someone who struggles to achieve an even base. Furthermore, unlike pads and brushes, these trusty tools won’t soak up any of your products as you use them.

Make Life Simple with Multipurpose Products

Tired of spending a small fortune on skincare products? Perhaps you’re simply looking to cut down on the amount of time you’re spending in front of the vanity mirror. Once again, the K-Beauty phenomenon has the answer. In Korea, there’s a growing trend for simplification. As well as doing away with needless steps, K-Beauty skincare puts a focus on incorporating multipurpose products. When choosing things like toners and moisturisers, look for products that combine key active ingredients. As well as saving you precious time every day, your bank balance will thank you.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023

As has been teased already, alongside their Advent Calendar, ASOS has released three ASOS Christmas Stocking Fillers for 2023 and they are sold in the form of a Christmas Cracker and they're just £12 each - here

Whether you want a Skincare Saviour, Make-up Must-Haves or even some Self-care stars, each one of these crackers is superb value for money.

Starting with the Make-Up Must Haves which contains 3 travel size products and is a saving of 57% at just £12 here.

Inside you will find:

• Lottie London Eyeshadow Palette
• Benefit Fan Fest Mini Mascara: 3g
• Made by Mitchell Blursh Lights: 6ml – Pink Lynx

On sale now, the Self-care Stars Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.

The second offering is the ASOS Self-Care Stars Stocking Filler and again, is priced at just £12.00 - here.

Offering a saving of 42%, inside this offering you will find 4 travel size products for those every day needs.

What’s inside:

• OUAI Wave Spray: 30ml
• Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant: 5.1g
• Rituals relaxing candle
• Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask: 20ml

On sale now, Self-care Stars Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.

Then finally we have the ASOS Skincare Saviours Cracker and again, as with the previous two offerings, this one is also £12 - right here.

Offering a saving of 47%, inside this cracker you will find 3 travel sized products for your face in the form of an eye cream, mask and moisturiser.

What’s inside:

• Weleda Skin Food Original Moisturiser: 30ml
• Sand & Sky Australian Emu Apple Super Bounce Mask: 10g
• Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream: 5ml

On sale now, Skincare Saviours Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.