Showing posts with label maxmay. Show all posts

Sheer Glow, Sheer WOW

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.
WOW.
Oh wow.

Species Sparrowtus Dorkius
This is my face approx. ten minutes after I visited the lovely ladies at Mecca and had my make-up done. It hurts my heart to say that my beloved Inglot has either changed its formula, or my skin has changed, or something weird is going on with the universe, because my favourite YSM foundation just isn't what it used to be. Don't get me wrong, it looked beautiful, but three hours into a working day and my nose was a trainwreck, and no matter what primer/setting powder/finishing spray I used, it didn't help.

So I ventured to my happy place, to my beloved Mecca Maxima, to find something with the lasting power of my Australis Stay Put, the colour match of my Bobbi Brown Longwear, and the finish of my Inglot YSM. Easy job right?

I wandered around the aisles, looking at NARS in particular, because a lot of my work friends have been recommending it to me. I meant to get some samples, but the lovely Mecca girl saw me hovering and offered show me how the NARS Sheer Glow would look on my face. I explained my situation (with work, and getting sick of bad colour matches), and even mentioned my little allergic reaction (UGHHH), and within five minutes I was hooked, because HOLY SHIZBALLS, it's the best colour match I've ever had.

I know, I know, I promised I'd use up my other foundations before I bought another new one, but hear me out. The NARS Sheer Glow, in Mont Blanc, is literally the best colour match I've ever found in a foundation. The only other times my make-up has looked this perfect is when it's been done professionally, and girrrrl that can't happen daily. Australis Stay Put will still be my go-to in summer, and when I have a tan, and I think my Inglot will be perfect for nights out because it has no SPF. I did end up using up all of my Bobbi Brown, but I'm so glad I didn't repurchase. I've been using my NARS for about four days and I'm so, so impressed, I still can't believe how well this product is sitting on my skin.

This is my mug wearing Inglot YSM foundation in 41

If you look at my hairline you can see that shade 41 isn't quite matching my skin tone. Even the tiny bit of neck visible under my scarf doesn't match my skin. This is first thing in the morning, so as you can see the finish is quite matte and flawless.
NARS doesn't have any of these problems, at all, and is still matte, and perfect. It matches my skin tone so well, and I haven't had to conceal anything!

I still use Bobbi Brown concealer under my eyes (because these nine hour shifts and six day streaks are killing me folks) and set my T-Zone with my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. AND THAT'S IT. The only comparable experience is using my Australis Stay Put foundation, but that product did need to be set occasionally with more powder throughout the day (because summer and sweat and ick). I've struggled with blemishes throughout my teenage years (and unfortunately to this day) and I can't believe that I don't need to conceal any of my blemishes or redness. It's actually incredible! 


I think I love you. 

Keep in mind I've only been using this foundation for a little under a week. For all I know, in the next two days my face could blow up and becoming a blemished, horrible mess, but I'm feeling hopeful!

My face today - no filter, still can't believe that finish!

Stay tuned little birds, because I have some news about the inversion method and my hair! And remember how I said I needed a new, better cleansing method? I think I've found it!

Bottom line: if you're looking for a sheer, buildable, full coverage foundation that offers near perfect colour matches, NARS Sheer Glow could be the one for you!

Until next time, 
Tweet tweet xx

Max Made Masterclass (or the time I dorked out like a pro)

Surprise! My last post I mentioned a surprise and here it is -

On Friday night I was lucky enough to attend the Max Made Masterclass at Sportsgirl, Bourke Street!



I arrived good and early, and like the major dork I am, took a seat in the front row. Sportsgirl staff were handing out sparkling water and I was so excited to find a pen and notebook in my bag. I'm a huge nerd so by the end of the masterclass I had about twelve pages of notes and sketches that I'm going to share with you all! 

Waiting for Max to come out and start teaching!

Max came out with his stunning model, and I was so excited to hear we would be learning how to master the Folk Rock look, the gold smoked eye. 
Gift Bag Goodies + the Bold in Gold cheat card 

My first impressions of Max were that he was tall - very tall - and I could immediately pick him as a make-up artist. The on trend ripped denim, shiny black t-shirt, cool loafers and healthy tan, as well as the confidence - this was someone who knew his craft and OWNED it! 

The products used for this look included the Metallic Eyes Bronze edition palette , the Bronze Me jumbo bronzer, the Get Cheeky blush palette in Pyramid Rose, the Blink Big fibre lash mascara (which I've previously blogged/raved about!), the Draw the Line liner, the Pencil it In Brow Pencil (which y'all know I've been loving since 2013) and the Duchess lipstick (which I got in my goodie bag! Yay!).

Max picked three gorgeous girls who also had the look replicated by a team of three make-up artists whilst Max was talking and teaching. I was sitting quite close to them, and I can tell you each girl had a different skin tone and hair colour, and this look was incredible on all three of them!

 
Max the Master at work

One of the most important features of this look were the brows. Max gave some great tips on how to master the bold brow, and if you can follow my little diagram you'll see what I mean:
I tried these tricks last night for my brows and THEY WORKED. Essentially you take your pencil and line it up vertically with your nostril - that's point 1. You then position your pencil diagonally from your nostril, and that's where you make your arch, point 2. Then, you take your pencil to the very, very outside of your nostril, and make point 3, and join the dots - voilà! Perfect brows!


More diagrams of How To...

Max also taught us the technique of trunking, where the mascara wand is used to create "roots" in the lashes before applying your usual two coats. I did try this technique last night but I think I need more practice, as I just ended up with a big clumpy mess that I hurriedly had to fix before leaving. 

Just to give you an idea of how AWESOME this guy is, HE TOOK MY MODEL PHOTO FOR ME! 
(which was lucky because I was actually WAY too short to even get anywhere close to her face for a photo)

Then the class was over! Everyone rushed up for photos, and then rushed out, and I waited patiently with my little notebook and asked Max what his NUMBER ONE, ABSOLUTE tip for beauty would be, and he said.... 

"Contouring. Contouring gives you structure, it's so, so important. And brows, brows give you the bone structure and frame the eyes, they're so important."

After that I walked away practically squeaking in excitement. I called the Little Red Blogger to thank her (she tagged me on Instagram and I was able to get a spot super quickly!), and was nearly walking out of David Jones when I realised I left my goodie bag back at Sportsgirl! Luckily it was still there and all the staff were really lovely about me being my dorky self. 

And to top off what was seriously one of the most exciting Fridays, the MAN HIMSELF liked and commented on my Insta post! 

Don't mind me, just over here freaking out...

OH and that's another thing! Beauty By a Sparrow now has an official Instagram! So for updates, daily thoughts and photos, follow me @beautybyasparrow 

Until next time my little birds,
Tweet tweet xx


P.S. I met a lovely blogger, from Melbourne Fashion Journal at the masterclass, so check them out for their take on the evening! 
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