Think Pink for October and support Breast Cancer Awareness

The perfect make up look shoots well in both colour and black and white x

Check out all of the goings on in my hectic beauty diary.

Just click on the link below. Craig x

Diary of a Beauty Editor

This weeks Hot Metal collection in The Sunday Mail. Cx

It's been a while

It has been a while since I blogged. Time has run away with itself but I'll be uploading all my beauty info form my Sunday Mail and 5pm pages on her too. Cx

The perfect pre wedding facial- A-Lift- My Review

I’m results driven, there is no denying that. When I find a product or treatment that does what it says on the tin, I’ll shout about it. I recently had the much-hyped A-Lift Facial at one of the only two available Scottish locations. Lynsey my therapist at the Kenneth Edwards Salon in Paisley had convinced me that I had to give this new treatment a go. It has numerous celebrity endorsements from everyone from the strictly fabulous Arlene Phillips to Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe.

Now I was pushed for time on the day my treatment was booked so the option for a 15 minute Miracle Moments Lunchtime Lift could have fitted the bill but I was keen to find out more and it had to go through my ‘beauty bootcamp’. Lynsey was super professional, totally clued up and also real brand ambassador for the treatment. Answering all my questions with ease and breaking down the techie bits into layman’s terms.

Her technical knowledge did make me stand up and take notice even though some of it was going way over my head. If this did what it was claimed my 30 something skin could soon be power-charged.

From The Nouveau Beauty Group (who introduced the HD brow), the A-Lift is the latest and most advanced electrical facial on the market today. This form of treatment works by re charging the skin cells, which encourages them to work like they did when we were younger rather than targeting the facial muscles. It‘s totally pain free and there’s hardly any noise from the machine. It feels as though your face is being stroked and massaged. If anything it was as relaxing as any holistic facial I’ve had before. This treatment however gave me the kind of results that are instantly visible.

Skin is firmer, plumper, facial contours are smoother and I noticed a huge difference in the fine lines around my eye area. I had a real glow and when I popped out to lunch everyone I bumped into asked what I had done.

This would make the perfect skin pick me up pre wedding and with the Daily Record Our Heroes and Scottish Fashion Awards to name a few of my diary dates I’ll be booking myself in for some more.

I may not be an A-list but A-Lift I am and now we can all have red carpet worthy skin.

DIY EYE- Bridal Beauty

Be it budget, fear or even fuss, some brides like to do their own make up on their big day. Hey, the Duchess of Cambridge did when she got married in 2011. So if Kate can then maybe you can too .

The latest collection of colour kits from Benefit is a good go to guide when it comes to choosing shades. Cleverly selected each of the three, The World Famous Neutrals kits  has everything you need. Complementary shades and an easy Hints and Tips application guide will help you create your look.

Each set contains 2 cream shadows and a mix of four matte and shimmer shadows. Line, define, soft or smoulder, the choice is yours!

Each kit is £23.50 from Benefit Cosmetics

My favourite is the Sexiest Nudes Ever because it really adds a pop of colour.

Kit includes:

• creaseless cream shadow in bikini-tini (oyster pink)
• creaseless cream shadow in holy smokes! (smoldering charcoal)
• longwear powder shadow in milk it! (pearly white)
• longwear powder shadow in raincheck? (smoky amethyst)
• longwear powder shadow in pause for applause (soft lilac)
• longwear powder shadow in blingo! (brilliant silver)

Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

Kit includes:

• creaseless cream shadow in birthday suit (brushed chrome)
• creaseless cream shadow in my two cents (polished copper)
• longwear powder shadow in call my buff (pale shell)
• longwear powder shadow in kiss me, i'm tipsy (spiced brown)
• longwear powder shadow in it’s complicated (golden peach)
• longwear powder shadow in gilt-y pleasure (golden san

Easiest Nudes  Nudes Ever

Kit includes:

• creaseless cream shadow in r.s.v.p. (sparkingling champagne)
• creaseless cream shadow in no pressure! (rich fawn)
• longwear powder shadow in call my buff (pale shell)
• longwear powder shadow in thanks a latte (golden brown)
• longwear powder shadow in pinky swear (soft matte pink)
• longwear powder shadow in quick, look busy (matte espresso)

Delightful Designs

They say diamonds are a girls best friend but there is a real trend in coloured jewels and a lot of my brides have been given their birthstones as engagement rings or as gifts lately. To be honest I am like a Magpie and if it sparkles and shines then I'm happy. 

Jewellery is such a personal choice. Not everyone favour flashy and I prefer something that is beautifully bespoke. Christine Sadler is a jeweller who caters for all. From timeless, elegant and beautifully mounted single stones like this Pear cut Diamond Engagement ring to the fun and imaginative pieces of her Graffiti Collection there is a style and design for everyone. Christine also has some stylish suggestions for bridesmaids gifts if you are looking for something special for your flower girl then the check out the collection for children. 

Now Beauty is of course my middle name and my game too. So I have teamed up with Christine to give one lucky reader the chance to win her Beautiful Straight Engraved Bangle. This polished silver bangle is worth £165. Engraved with the words Beautiful Inside and Beautiful Outside I thought was just perfect as sums up everything I do at Create the Dream. All you have to do is like both our business pages and then we will pick a winner.Christine Sadler Unforgettable Jewellery Facebook Craig's Create the Dream Page within the next two days.
Good Luck.
Cx
Check out the website for lots more of her gorgeous designs.
http://www.christinesadler.com

Divine Invitation

Whether it's a 'save the day' card or the actual wedding invitation  that arrives on my mat. I start getting excited. Stationery says so much and sets the tone for the day. It's the first impression your guest will have. Regardless if it's a traditional or contemporary design I always think it should reflect the couple or the theme for the day.

I recently discovered Jackie Adams @ Bespoke Wedding Stationery

Jackie has a studio in Mauchline that is overflowing with various ribbons, details, embellishments and paper options. It's like an Aladdin's cave of endless design possibilities to give you something thats totally bespoke. Of course there are also other non bespoke designs too, that start from just £1.00

Have a look at these gorgeous designs.
Craig

x

Jackie Adams

Bespoke Wedding Stationery

The Studio

87 Beechwood Road

Mauchline

Ayrshire

KA5 6DQ

mmmmmm what to give as a gift?

I love giving gifts but nowadays it's not just a case of popping out and buying a toaster. Oh No, I couldn't even tell you the last time I was at a 'show of presents'. In fact do they still exist? I used to enjoy going with my mum to the mother of the brides house, drinking tea and eating sausage rolls before heading up into their bedroom to see a bed, arranged with gifts like a shop window. Kettles, picture frames and a fondue set. There was always a peach towel bale to be had.  Girls don't even have a'bottom drawer' either.

Well, now that I have come back from my trip down memory lane, let me show you the reason for this blog. I have just been shown some gorgeous gift ideas. Who doesn't like candles? OK maybe boys could take or leave them but they do set a scene and Max Benjamin's latest Harmony Fragrance Blend Candle Set £29.95, which launched today contains both the His and Hers fragrances. They can be bought individually too for £19.95 and there is also the reed diffusers too (£29.95)

what do they smell like?...........well

His - of course as you would expect its a strong, masculine scent. This has cardamon, black pepper and patchouli, mixed with amber, tonka and musks.

Hers- this has softer feminine notes of mandarin with jasmine,  lily and vetyvert. Both candle options come in stylish glass jars.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, or for a 'new home' gift these make the perfect gift idea.

Craig
x

www.maxbenjamin.ie

Matt and Kristine's Wedding

My friends Matt and Kristine were married last year. It was a great day. A small, intimate affair, with close friends and family. I have now finally managed to upload these pics from the morning and her makeover. Kristine is so easy going and left her make up look totally to me.



When I arrived she was sporting a very familiar checked shirt she pinched from me when pregnant with their son, Jude, I thought, Thats my girl!
She didn't even have a trial. " do what you want, you always get it right- Craig" she told me.''mmmmmmm, lets see" I said.  Resisting to draw on a moustache I set to work. Even if I had , she would have found it funny. Don't think she would have walked down the aisle with it though. She asked me to do her hair too. I don't normally do both hair and make up on the day but as it was just her to be pampered and preened it allowed me time to do both.



Bridie - her mum was on hand too. Inspecting the proceedings and casting an eye over every brush stroke and spritz of hairspray. A straight talking, retired 'old school' nursing sister, she pulls no punches. " What a difference Kristine"she said. "it just goes to show what you can do". Yup thats Bridie for you and we wouldn't have her any other way. Then the words "you look beautiful" came and it was all good. I had passed. Sighing Kristine and I necked another glass of bubbly.

I had a vintage feel in mind to match the style of her dress and I took into account her own unique style. I wanted her skin to be dewy and not a classic flat 50's base. A winged liner, some smouldering socket work and hey presto. The red lips worked perfectly with her bouquet of red roses and her gorgeous scarlet shoes. I also dressed up her shoulders, arms and legs with some pearly highlighting powder, just to give her skin a lift on the dance floor and on camera.

Enjoy the pics.
Craig
x
Create the Dream Make Up - Dream make up for your dream day.

Happy New Year - Out with the old, in with the new.

Happy New Year

After a year of making brides beautiful in 2012, This year has started the same way. With already a good few trials under my belt the diary for 2013 and 2014 is already filling up.
A new year and a new you, is the motto for many so I thought I would kick start the year with a clean and tidy of my make up kit. Start as I mean to go on.

The problem I have when tidying out my case is that it's a bit like clearing out my wardrobe. The minute I give something away or even bit it, I suddenly seem to need it.  I have been ruthless. I mean how many gold eye shadows can one beauty boy have? ............32, that's how many. Needless to say my friends are loving this 'early Spring clean' of mine. Lets just say all of them seem to be 'going for gold' this season.

Now I have made some space, of course this space needs filled with some new beauty bits and pieces.
My brides, readers, fans and friends are always asking what I'm loving at the moment so here's an update. Check out what I've added to the 'Create the Dream' Kit.

Love
Craig
x

Pick 'n' Mix

Inglot Cosmetics- Top on quality, price and practicality, this brand is a pro choice among many. I love their Freedom System. It allows you to create a collection of colours be it lips or eyes. With over 200 shades in shadows alone I am like a kid in sweet shop. Check out their collection. You will be impressed by pigment and price.


Inglot Freedom System Shadow link

Smashbox 'Love Me'

This is the latest launch form top make up brand Smashbox. I really am in love and have the whole collection. This collaboration with famed graffiti artist Curtis Kulig is available now, although I have had a sneaky peek at it for a while. Smashbox always deliver fab formulations and pigment rich colours. So glad it's much more available in the UK now both online and at Boots.

Smashbox Love Me link












Mists are a Must

Skindinavia Bridal Make Up Finish

Make Up fixing sprays are a must, Be it studio, location or for bridal beauty.This is another product that has a new place in my kit. In the past I have always favoured the Diego Dalla Palma Make Up Fixer. It was the first brand I trained with and I still love their products to this day. I also work with mac Fix + and Urban Decay Allnighter.

Available at cocktail cosmetics, Click link