I have heard so much about IMATS over the Years but due to work commitments on TV shows have never been free to attend so Friday 3rd February was a Day of Make-Up heaven for me. This year with that in mind the IMATS show dates were in the Diary months ago and I have looked forward to the show immensly and made sure that making work commitments around the show dates was going to be key. To add to the excitement IMATS this year introduced a Pro Event on the Friday before the main event weekend. Applicants had to wait to be approved for their Pro Card to be eligible for the event so was super happy to be accepted. At the Pro Event the Make-Up Artist were able to mingle,network, source new suppliers and leisurely try thing on without the crazy crowds normally expected at IMATS. In attendance were some of my favourite brands and suppliers Pam, Airbase, Temptu, Paperself, Nyx and found some exciting new ones such as Stilazzi and Frends Beauty Supplies needless to say left the show with 3 Bags of Goodies. Saw some amazing artistry and real talent check out The Urbanist and his airbrush skills!!!

Check out my pics of the Day, Ana x

So I have been a little naughty and neglected My Blog......in my defense, I have been busy on the Work front so do excuse me *Blushes*. I have had some articles written up in recent weeks on other Make-Up and Wedding related blogs too so haven't completely been off the radar....but I did promise to blog a little, on a few of what I call my "Hero Products", products that after lots of use I can truly say deliver and I would not do without them in my kit. Firstly my Temptu airbrush Kit (compressor,gun and products) ....I am pretty old school and was highly sceptical years ago when airbrushing first started out but after working on Live TV shows and photoshoots and seeing the speed that I can acheive my desired looks in aswell as the finish the products give, I have to say I love what they do. The staying power it offers also just means it delivers on all counts and I can say I am a convert. I do still have other foundations in my kit like my Luminous Skin colours by Becca and Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown foundations that I use too but I have to say my Temptu is used 9 times out of every 10 jobs now and I do find that my images I get back have had less retouching work done on the skin which speaks volumes. My other Heroes are my Bioderma Crealine Cleanser which removes most make-up effectively yet gently. It is also fab for correcting eyeliner with a pointed tip cottonbud or any lipcolour fixups a real lifesaver in fact. Both Men and Women like it as it is not a rich perfumed cleanser but a clear fluid that is suitable on even sensitive skins. Make-Up Artists and Models alike swear by Crealine Cleanser and also by my next Hero Product Embryolisse Moisturiser again great for All skin types and a great little mixer to thin out foundations and concealers especially for those like me prone to a drier skin. Moving on to some of my ongoing faves - Primers...I use Line and Pore by Becca on T-Zone areas to give make-up durability it has a slight mattifying effect on skin and creates an even base for make-up application perfect for those with a combination or oily skin. I have also used it to fill in fine lines around the lips and does smooth out the skin well. For all over Primers I Love my UV Mousse underbase have been using it for almost 20 Years it can be applied all over face including eyelids has again slight mattifying properties crates a thin layer between skincare and make-up creating a perfect base and being a mousse lighter in texture to cream primers available. Secret Brightener Powder by Laura Mercier again is always to be found in my Box of tricks the finest powder ever, great for setting under eye concealer without looking heavy or cakey especially for those concerned about expression lines showing more. Onto another essential in my kit my Shu Uemura Eyelash Glue...I have tried all sorts of glue and do occassionaly use Duo but find I work better with my Shu Uemura glue it seems to last a lot longer and doesnt dry out as quickly as others I have used...as a lover of lashes I can't do without my glue!!!......These are just some of my fave products I have a lot more that I love for colour & pigment but these are the ones that make every job that bit easier and that bit quicker......I have been asked by a few Newbies to the Make-Up Industry how much my Kit may be worth and how long it took for me to get my kit fully stocked?....Well a Make-Up Artist Kit evolves with the Artist and also with the times. What worked for me 19 Years ago when I first picked up my Brushes now seems pre..historic in terms of what there is on offer now. Products now are very versatile/multipurpose tend to have more blendability but with maximum impact and colours and pigments come out more vibrant then the products available even a decade ago. The vast amount of Products, Brushes to the newer gadgets like Airbrush Machines can be costly Investments but necessary equipment when it comes to the more aware and informed clients that are out there. With some brushes costing over £100 (my prized Pure Kolinsky Shu Uemura Brushes) and Compressors costing hundreds the kit an average Make-Up Artist carries can be worth Hundreds if not a few Thousand £££

After almost two Decades working as a Make-Up Artist... Yikes!!! I have finally got a kit that I am Happy with. Full of key products that I know work brilliantly for any Make-Up work I take on board and a kit finally condensed enough that I am not struggling with a whole array of suitcases and bags. I have my wheelie Zucca Bag filled with all my Make-Up and one bag that goes on top of wheelie that holds my Brushes and Airbrush equipment and thats it!!! I have made many trials and errors purchasing cases and bags that haven't been fit for purpose and dozens of costly mistakes on products that didn't deliver on what they promised. However only by trying and testing have I been able to stumble upon a few gems and by using all the nifty palletes and tools that are now available, have been able to decant products and reduced the amount I have to take with me...oh the Joy!!!

I am pretty old school in some ways, having trained as an Artist with Shu Uemura, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier etc. and am very fussy about prepping my workstation especially when it comes to brushes and products I am a bit hygiene OCD . I know that the vast majority of Artists are exceeding standards expected on a job....but am sure we have all spotted the odd dirty make-up brush approaching an unsuspecting clients face or the use of glosses and mascaras without the use of lipbrushes and disposable wands eeek!!....I am in awe of a number of my colleagues and the way they prep for a job too and have learnt a trick or two just by observing a few Masters at work. I have had product and kit envy admitedly too to the point where for Christmas the Hubby might get me something for my Kit that I have lusted after for a while....Make-Up Geek...here are some piccies on the job....my next blog will be on Products I Love to use in My Kit

So after Years of dedicating the bulk of my Make-Up Work to Live TV, Editorial and Fashion, aswell as my work with Make-Up Companies such as Shu Uemura,Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Sisley etc...over the last 19 Years, I have now steered my focus to the Bridal side of My Business.

I enjoy My Bridal work immensely, as I am there on the Most Important Day of My Brides Lives (other than childbirth of course) to make My Brides not only Look Beautiful but also to start their Special Day off with a positive, calm & yet Happy environment. Allowing the sometimes very nervous Bride the time to collect herself and enjoy the Build Up to her Wedding.

Every Wedding is Different too, which means it is never boring , there is always a buzz of activity and you never know how all the Months of planning are going to come to fruition on the Day. The Wedding can be Colourful, Simply Elegant, Vintage or even Themed I have seen it All.....but for me the most Amazing part of the Day of course is seeing the Bride step in to her Gown and see the completed look come together....it always makes me smile to see the Look on the Brides face when she looks in the Mirror at the finished product acknowleding she is the Beautiful Bride she hoped she would be.......and the tears in the Parents Eyes as they see their Princess head off to start another stage in their Lives...as I Pack Up My Kit I feel like Mary Poppins leaving onto the next one that needs my help, because my work here is done......

I do have a few wedding that I remember more than others because of one thing or another (like a Dinosaur maybe)...one is Farnaz's Wedding here in the pics. I actually did her Make-Up the Day before also for her intimate Wedding on the Friday and here on The Saturday for her Reception at The Natural History Museum...the Reception took place around the large Dinosaur in the Main Hall entrance.....Wow!!!!!!

It was Stunning and I was so happy to have been involved and was even asked to stay for a boogie by a very insistant and Lovely Mother in Law.