All That Glitters

I am still alive! I am so sorry I haven't posted much on this blog lately, things have been quite busy but that should be no excuse.

 So here's a few pics of a shoot I did with Alpha Models for Lust Pearls.

The makeup look was very glamorous. Bold red lips with a crisp wing liner, a classic combination you can never go wrong with!

Photographer: Jess Yeah @ Shift Creative
Post: Juliet @ Shift Creative
Pearls: Lust Pearls
Hair & Makeup: Alana Santos
Styling: Sarah C @ Alpha Models

Models: Daisy, Caitlyn, Sophie & Emily @ Alpha Models

Alana xx

Trend: Berry/Plum lips for Autumn

Yes.

It's happening.

If you know me from working with me on photoshoots, the moment someone says "lets do something with the lips." I think.. PLUM! BERRY! DARK! I get a little too excited about it. I have a unhealthy obsession with dark lips but hey, can you blame me? It's a HOT trend. And now that Autumn is upon us (here in Aussie land) there's no excuse not to hop onboard the train to sexy-land!

 In the photo above I've used MAC DIVA lipstick mixed with MAC Nightmoth lip pencil.

I think this is a good step for people who like to wear a red lip but would like to vamp up their look a little and go darker. It can totally transform you.


I personally think this is more a night time look. I like to wear a dark lip with a neutral, softer eye. Nothing too much like a smokey eye. Though if a smokey eye is your thing, go for it girl! Though I like to make it look a little more like "oh this? I just whacked it on in 5 minutes. Took no effort at all"
Nobody needs to know how long it really took you ;)

Another tip to remember when wearing a vampy lip is to go for some subtle contouring and a shade of blush that is more on the bronzed side. Something like MAC Warm Soul (Which is what I'm wearing in the photo) or if you're after something you can buy in the drug stores Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso (this one has a touch of peach in it but nothing too pink).

There are many different shades of dark lipstick you could go. There are berry, plum, wine coloured or even browner toned dark lipsticks such as this one on Camilla Belle:

 Anyway I hope this has somewhat inspired you to take a chance with your makeup and take a trip to the dark side. I doubt you'll regret it!

Alana xx

(I got tired of trying to look nice for a photo so chucked on a panda hat and yeah..)

Product Review: Loreal Infaillible Eyeshadows

So, I'm a massive sucker for high end makeup but I've been trying to get myself to try out and find little gems in the drugstores that work just as good as any high end product, at a fraction of the cost!

I have heard a few mixed reviews about the Loreal Infallible eyeshadows so I decided to get these two colours and suss it out for myself.

I bought these at Priceline for $19.95 each.

 The first shade here is 002 Hourglass Beige. Its a very sheer shade and when applied it does give a nice glassy effect to the eyes. You can sweep across just a tiny amount to give your eyelids a bit of shine, or pack it on the get more glam. It is surprisingly buildable and well pigmented so I'm impressed!

.

The next shade is 004 Forever Pink. Beauuuutiful champagne pink colour. Love! Same as the colour above, you can pretty much wear this as a light brush of colour or build it up to be an intense glittery bomb exploded on your eyeball!

 Here are some swatches on my arm to show you how they turn up with just one coating:

Aaaand two coats:

For now, I am very impressed with these. A little disappointed in the colour range as they don't have THAT many. But if you're a simple gal like me, some neutral tones will go a long way.

I will have to actually use these in a makeup look and report back to let you know how they wear. It says they are to last 24 hours. Who wears makeup for 24 hours? Anyway, it should last all day!

I will report back, amigos.


Alana xx

For the love of black

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all black says this: "I don’t bother you - don’t bother me".” ― Yohji Yamamoto

 

Photoshoot for Filip Filipi headwear:
http://filipfilipi.blogspot.com.au/

Photographer: Tijana Lilic
Makeup: Alana Santos
Model: Narcisa Music

 

April Favourites

April Favorites: What I've been loving this month

There have been lots of products I have been falling in love with recently but these four are a standout. I have been reaching for them every single day and loving them more and more!

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATIONThis is hands down the best foundation that I have come across. I like the look of glowy/dewy skin and this foundation does just that and more. You can apply a little amount to achieve almost a tinted moisturiser look with build-able formula to get more of a full coverage foundation. On days that my skin is looking good I just apply a thin layer, though when I'm going out at night or feel like I need a bit more coverage I just add more until I'm happy. I feel like I have no words but to keep saying how much I love it.
So I'll just finish here. I love this. So much.

This retails at $68. Totally worth it.

LOREAL LUMI MAGIQUE PRIMER

I have always been a big fan of MACs Strobe cream to apply under my foundation as the iridescent particles in the primer brighten the skin and give that dewy look. This Loreal primer is a great dupe for MACs Strobe cream. I also find that it is much lighter and glides on the skin nicer than MAC which is nice in summer when you don't want too much on your face.
I have been LOVING the way that this mixed with NARS sheer glow looks on the skin. It's a great combination for looking like you've got that healthy glow.

MAC Strobe cream retails at $55 while Loreal Lumi Magique is $29.95. Happy Savings!

NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALERA great concealer that is super hydrating on the skin though, doesn't settle easily into fine lines & wrinkles and very high coverage. Pretty much everything you could want in a concealer, is this one! It has an easy applicator, similar to a lip gloss stick which helps to not waste any product. NARS is really impressing me lately with their products. I had previously tried some other foundations from their range which didn't work too well on me but this NARS sheer glow/Creamy concealer combo is a winner for sure!

This concealer retails at $29

BEYONCE PERFUME - RISE


I'm just going to admit that I'm hopeless at describing smells. So this one I'm going to have to leave to you to smell in the shops. Its very classy!

I got mine on sale for $34! Whaaaaaaaaat!

How to: Healthy Hair

How to: Healthy Hair 

Ever since late high school I have had long hair and would always get compliments on how soft and shiny it was. I had always been good to my hair, only dying with semi-permanents, no bleaching or permanent dying, minimal use of hot tools and getting the regular trims it needed.

Late last year I decided to go slightly lighter with my hair colour for a more summery look and to be honest, since my hair was always so healthy and soft I had forgotten about the damage bleaching would do to the ends of my hair..and boy did I feel the change!

I started getting back into some serious hair care to get my locks healthy again and here are my tips that I've found work a treat to get my hair back into the best shape possible:

Tangle teezer, Coconut oil & Moroccan oil

1. Tangle teezer

 My hair is thick. And I mean thick. There is a jungle of hair on my head and brushing is a mission on its own!
Tangle teezers are amazing. They effortlessly brush all the knots out of your hair with minimal damage and pain. Winner!

I bought mine from www.beautybay.com/tangleteezer for $19

2. Coconut Oil

 The multi-purpose oil from the Gods! This stuff is liquid gold. I use coconut oil for cooking, my hair treatments, skin moisturizer (on dry days), as a makeup remover and more. Though lets not get crazy and make this 5 pages long, lets talk hair.

Using coconut oil in your hair not only conditions, but can also prevent protein loss. I like to completely cover my hair in coconut oil and leave it to absorb for a few hours or leave it overnight. When you wash it out, just shampoo and condition like normal and feel the difference! I like to do this about once or twice a week as I try not to wash my hair more than twice in one week. 

You can buy coconut oil from any health food stores or your local supermarket.

3. Moroccan Oil

I like to use Moroccan oil on the ends of my hair after I've washed it while it is damp or after I've blow dried my hair just as an added conditioning to ensure any split ends are getting some lovin'! If I'm not using that, I've also got some Argan oil which pretty much does the same thing.

You can buy most hair oils from any hairdressing shop or online.

And it really is as simple as that! No need to break the bank when these products are cheap as chips.

I hope you find these products work for you! If you also use coconut oil let me know how much you love it(because you'd be crazy not to) <3 

Welcome!

Well hey there!

My name is Alana and I'm a freelance Makeup Artist livin' in little ol' Perth is Western Australia.

I've created this blog to share with my wonderful friends, family, clients as well as anyone out there who would like to have a behind the scenes peak into the life of a Makeup Artist as well as share my knowledge with you!

Here you'll find reviews of makeup and skincare items, tips and tricks of the trade, behind the scenes photos/videos of photo shoots and fashion shows as well as a jumble of things that I just love about beauty, fashion and LIFE!

Sit down with a cup of tea and a face mask and enjoy the ride <3