Welcome to the second instalment of The Littlest Polkadot Beauty Collaboration Corner! This beauty section explores all things cosmetics, brands, and skincare with the help of a much sought after Irish Make Up Artist. It is a beauty section with a twist, as there is a feature on a different Make Up artist each week! They  will be talking you through the  different aspects of the cosmetics industry, with their own various opinion on certain brands, and techniques! There will be interviews, Q & A sections, Vlogs, and tutorials featured in this section throughout the coming months! I adore all things make-up, and love to watch tutorials , and find new techniques, so I thought, why not liaise with the amazingly talented ladies we have here in Galway to bring you home grown tutorials, and tips, at the click of a button! If you are a new follower, and you missed Part One, simply have a look around my blog, and you will find it . 🙂

Meet our second featured Make Up Artist… Niamh Loughnane

 

I am thrilled to welcome Niamh onboard. She is a Galway based freelance Make Up Artist, with qualifications in bridal, high-fashion, and photographic make-up. Niamh trained at The Beauty Institute in Athlone, County Westmeath, and works around the Galway area, and beyond. I think her work speaks for itself.. The Littlest Polkadot has been liasing with Niamh on her favourite tips, and products, and I am thrilled to feature Niamh in this week’s collaboration feature.

Contact Niamh on social media…

Facebook: Makeup by Niamh Loughnane.

Instagram: makeupbyniamhl

 

Niamh’s Favorite Products

Brows- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

This is a waterpoof brow pomade that sculpts and defines the brows. I use this along with Inglots Duraline mixed in to give the pomade a smoother and more workable texture as it tends to dry out over time. I apply this product using an angled liner brush. It can be purchased online on www.beautybay.com for €18.20. Duraline retails for €12 in any Inglot store.

Highlight- theBalm ‘Mary-Lou Manizer’

I can never complete a look without highlighting. In the past while I have tried out various highlights but always go back to Mary-lou. It is a honey hued luminizer which gives the most stunning glow to the skin. It is a very buildable powder so you can get a subtle glow or a strong highlight depending on how much you apply. I generally use a fan brush to apply this, but a fluffy shadow brush can get you the same effect. This powder can be purchased in Debenhams for €20.50.

 

Bronzer- MAC mineralise skinfinish natural in the shade ‘Give me sun’

This is my go-to bronzer. It gives a warm glow to the face when applied to the forehead, temples, and under your cheekbones. I apply this with a medium sized fluffy face brush. This can be purchased for any MAC counter in Brown Thomas and it retails for €31.

Concealer- Urban Decays Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage concealer

I cant get enough of this concealer. It is a lightweight, full coverage, demi-matte concealer.  I use this product to cream highlight my face (under eyes, center of forehead, bridge of nose, chin and cupids bow). I use the applicator to apply it to my face and blend it out with a small buffing foundation brush or a beatuyblender. I then set it with a translucent powder.  You can purchase this in Debenhams for  €22 at the Urban Decay counter.

 

 

 

 Eyeliner- Inglot’s AMC Eyeliner Gel in #77.

If you’re looking for a black eyeliner that will not budge for the night then you need to get your hands on this eyeliner. It is a  waterproof and smudge proof formula  making it perfect for longlasting wear. I use this also with Inlgots duraline, as like the Dipbrow pomade, it tends to dry out over time. It can be purchased in any inglot store for €15.

 

More affordable options…

Although I love using all the items mentioned above, I also love trying out other products and its even better when they are a cheaper alternative. Here is a list of some of my favourite products which can be used as a more affordable option if on a budget which can be purchased in most Pharmacy’s or Penny’s and all cost under €6 each.

 

Brows- Essence eyebrow stylis set

This set contains two eyebrow powders, an applicator and three templates for an easy application. I started using this product a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. It’s a very easy to use product. I usually apply the powders as normal with and angled liner brush and then clean and sharpen the edges with concealers after giving a defined brow look.

Highlight- Natural Collection solo Eyeshadow in ‘White Opal’

I use this shadow as a highlight to add a sheen to my cheekbones, cupids bow, nose, brow bone and inner corner of my eyes. Again I use it using a fan brush. It has a very white iridescent finish which I like when I’m not wearing false tan as I’m naturally vary pale.

 

Bronzer- NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder.

This bronzer is a matte, very buttery and easy to blend powder. It has a neutral colour and gives a beautiful glow to the skin. Like Give me sun by MAC, I would apply this with a  medium sized powder face brush.

 

 

Concealer- Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

This is a full coverage liquid concealer. I find this blends very well and stays on the skin nicely. I use this to cream highlight like my Urban Decay concealer. I also apply it the same way as I apply the Urban Decay concealer.

 

Eyeliner- NYC Liquid Eyeliner in #887 Black

This liquid liner is a super black eyeliner which dries matte. I like to use this when doing winged liner as the skinny applicator is perfect for achieving a sharp wing. Also I sometimes use it to sharpen my gel eyeliner and make it more intense after I apply the gel.

 

 

 Niamh’s Top Tips for applying makeup

1. Always cleanse and moisturise your face before applying makeup as it adheres to clean skin better so it will keep it in place for longer. It also prevents clogging your pores which can lead to breakouts.

 

2. Always start with a small amount of product and then add if necessary. This prevents your makeup looking to heavy or cakey. It’s also a whole lot easier to add product then it is to take away.

 

3. When blending anything on the face, weather it is bronzer or eye shadow, use a light hand and hold you brush at the bottom, as far away from the bristles as possible. This helps you avoid putting too much product in one area.

 

4. Deep clean your brushes at the end of each week using warm water and fairy liquid. When makeup is applied with clean brushes it gives a more flawless finish. This also prevents spreading bacteria on your face which causes breakouts.

 

5. If you want your makeup to last longer, use a primer before applying your makeup, set and cream or liquid products with a powder and use a setting spray.

 

A huge thank you to Niamh for collaborating with The Littlest Polkadot this week. Her work is just stunning. Have a look at some of her work, and catch her on facebook, and Instagram. We hope to have the beautiful and talented Niamh join us again for another feature in the near future, and hope that you found this feature enjoyable, and helpful.