Welcome to My Blog

Becoming a Makeup Artist

When I started doing makeup back in 2013, I really hadn’t a clue where to go or start.  I knew I wanted to do makeup but I hadn’t the experience or the proper skills to do it professionally.

Its pretty daunting that every where you turn there seems to be courses offering to make you a QUALIFIED MUA IN 3 MONTHS!! Or some even in 2 days….. How do you know where to go or which one to choose and which one to give your hard earned money away to.

First off, I had no interest in the beautician side of things, I didn’t want to wax or do facials etc, I just purely wanted to do makeup.  I hadn’t much time as having two small kids and helping my husband run his construction company I hadn’t the option of enrolling to a full time course, plus living in South Kildare I hadn’t many options course wise only to travel to Dublin where there are loads of courses.

I chose to do a 2 week intensive course in LA College of Creative Arts in Dublin.  It was over €1500 and that included a set of makeup brushes and a start off kit .  Looking back these were your average white label products but I had literally nothing, apart from my personal makeup so it was a start.

If I am honest apart from learning about hygiene and skin types and makeup formulas i.e which products suit which skin type, I didn’t learn a whole lot, obviously 2 weeks isn’t a lot of time and although we practised on our models, it just wasn’t enough time to become a “Professional Makeup Artist”.

after I finished the course, I still hadn’t a clue how I was going to become a MUA.  Looking at all the talented makeup artists out there, I really started to despair.  Here I was late 20’s and only pursuing something I loved at this stage in my life.  Another hindrance was living in the countryside and Carlow town being my closest shopping / business area, there wasn’t a lot of makeup counters willing to take on a trainee or if they were the pay was dismal.

In college, we had a little competition to win some makeup that I was desperate to win, they wanted us to come up with an online presence, a name for blogging and facebook that we could use to start off our makeup careers.  Again I was stumped, I tried to think of a name, StaceyDoyle Makeup, Makeup by Stacey, on and on, no I couldn’t think of anything.  At that time I was following “The Makeup Fairy” and I said right the dead line is nearly up for this competition and I really need that prize, so was born the fairly in- original The Face Fairy! Anyways, I won the competition and I was thrilled, and never really gave much more thought to my “new” online brand name.

I started to do makeup on friends and family and slowly started to build up a kit.  There is so many brands out there at the minute it can be hard to figure out what to use.  So I will tell you what the absolute musts are to have in your kit if you want to start charging for makeup, see below.

makeupessentials

I hope this has helped anyone who is thinking of becoming a makeup artist.  All I can add is, practice, practice,  practice.  Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone, try new things and get a feel for what you really love.  And most of all don’t be afraid to ask questions.  The majority of people are willing to help if they can.

I’m here if anyone needs to ask anything!

 

Stacey x

 

 

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Best Budget Concealers

Just wanted to do a quick list on my best budget concealers, I’ve used all of these and love them all because I keep going back and buying them again and also they are all affordable.

I don’t really have a top one out of this bunch, I just use whichever I feel will suit my skin on the day.  I will explain which one is best for what below.

catriceconcealorCatrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer

€3.50

This has great coverage for under the eye area and also for any little problem spots you might have.  There is only 3 shades though, and I find they are quite cool toned, could do with adding a warmer toned shade.

 

noteconcealorNote Full Coverage Concealer

€4.95

This offers full coverage but I find it very light on the skin which is great as you don’t get a cakey look and is also ideal for older skin that still wants some coverage.  The bottle always seems to go really fast for me, wish they did it in a larger size.

 

collection2000Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

€4.99

This has long been one of my faves, but I don’t have a boots near me so I get it whenever I pass by one, there is 6 shades in this so a good choice.  This is full coverage and doesn’t budge once its on.  I sometimes use this as an eyeshadow base to really make the colour pop.

 

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Maybelline Anti Age Eraser Eye Concealer

€11.99

This is the most expensive of the bunch and I’ve only discovered it recently but I love it! I use the lightest one under the eyes and down the middle of my nose to brighten.  The coverage isn’t as heavy as the others but it really does brighten up the under eye area.

Buying From Ali Express

My favourite thing to do when I get a few minutes is to browse through Ali Express on my phone.  I know a lot of people think that it must be utter shite if its coming from China and so cheap but believe me I have gotten some beauties from that place.  I think out of all my orders, must be in the 100s now, I’ve been let down once by a seller, I never received the item, but because it hadn’t cost much I let it slide.  Another time, the top came and having previously ordered from the seller, this top was not great quality, but other than that I’ve always been delighted with my purchases and I’ve really saved a fortune.

It can be kind of daunting to begin with as it really is a huge online market with different stores and traders and a lot of them selling the same things.

A few tips for starting off is :

  1. When you find a product you like, there might be 30 stores or traders selling it some prices vary but the best ones to use are the ones that have A) The most orders and B) The most feedback.  You can then see the product reviewed by real buyers and see how it looks on them etc
  2. Don’t be afraid to message the seller to ask for a reduction or ask any questions, they are Chinese but they can speak great English and are always willing to help.
  3. There is the option of finding a product by snapping a photo of something you like and then uploading it to Ali Express, who then try to find that item or something very similar.  I have seen so many online “boutiques” selling handbags, dresses and shoes that can and probably were gotten on Ali Express for a fraction of the price.
  4. Be prepared to wait 3 to 5 weeks for your item, ordering something and expecting it next week isn’t a good idea.
  5. Sizing tends to be small, use their size charts as a guideline but like I stated in point 1, check the reviews, people will say it if it was sized very small or large and that will give you a great guide.

The majority of things I buy are :

Dresses

Earings & Dress Jewellery

Skirts

Blouses

Handbags

Hair accessories

Makeup tools such as mascara wands, disposable lip brushes, hairbrushes

Makeup brushes, I have a set of brushes I bought 2 years ago that I love and use all the time, I think I paid 7euro for a set of 8 brushes, also notice that a lot of the branded brushes are very similar to the Ali Express ones .. mmmmm

Party items like balloons, paper straws, banners etc

They will ask you to insert your credit/debit card or if you can use bank transfer.  I have always felt extremely safe buying from them, if you have an issue with a seller you can open a dispute which I find really good to know.

If you want to know anything else feel free to send me a message.

Happy Shopping!

Stacey x

 

My first Blog! I’ve bit the bullet

Okay I’ve been threatening to do this for a long time….

Why has it taken me so long, simply because I felt why would anyone want to read my blog? Then I realised that a blog isn’t simply for others it’s also for yourself.

I like to read lots of different content on the web, from beauty to cooking to travel to parenting so I hope there is room to squeeze another blogger in there aka Me!

Lets start with a bit about myself…

I am 33 years old, mother of two, originally from Limerick City but living in South Kildare.  I am a Makeup artist mostly doing bridal and I also help run my husbands construction company. Most of you are probably thinking ” Why on earth would you add a blog to all that” Well I love to give tips, share advice, make people laugh and I have seen lately that so many bloggers/ influencers have been lured to the dark side i.e their content seems more about making money and advertising than actually offering hand on heart reviews and advice.

Well I have never been paid/ sent a product before and I most certainly would not recommend anything I do not personally love or have used.

Anyways like I said I have no experience in blogging, this is my very first post so I am now going to hit that publish button.  I hope I will enjoy this as much as I think and hope I will.

Stacey x