STEP BY STEP; EYEBROWS...

Following my last Step by Step makeup look I received a request on how to style eyebrows. Now, I love eyebrows and luckily for me, and you, NARS have recently launched a new eyebrow collection featuring 4 shades of Brow Gel and 4 new shades of eyebrow perfecting pencil. You can find these HERE. 

Brows are not as daunting as they may seem and there are three easy steps that you can follow in order to create the prefect brow shape to suit your face...

Step One- Start

This marks where the brows should start, marking from the edge of the nose straight upwards.

Step Two- Arch

This marks the highest part of the brow; where the brow should arch. Starting from the edge of the nose running diagonally up through the centre of the pupil.

Step Three- End

Here marks where the brow should end; starting from the corner of the nose following the edge of the eye diagonally upwards.



Final Shape

Join these dots, fill in the brow and voila...

There are also a few general "brow rules" you may want to take into consideration when shaping the brows to ensure that your eyes are framed correctly in co-ordination with your face shape.

Oval face: All brow shapes.

Round Face: An arched brow which helps to elongate the face.

Long Face: Straight brow in order to cut length. 

Square Face: A Larger brow, with soft edges in order to help even out the angles of the face.

Heart Shape Face: A rounded arch in order to balance the face. 

Happy brow mapping!

THE CLINK FOLLOWED BY A DRINK...

Always on the look out for new and exciting places to eat, it was suggested that I try The Clink, a restaurant run by prisoners from HMP Cardiff. 

The concept of the restaurant is to promote a rehabilitation and reintegration program for inmates and is committed to reducing reoffending rates in Wales.

Situated just outside the prison walls, and devised by Chef Alberto Crisci MBE, The Clink charity helps train inmates to the standard similar to that of a 5 star hotel or restaurant, with the aim to help graduates find employment within the Welsh catering industry. 

Jacket: Ebay (here)
Tunic: Zara (similar here)
Leather Jeans: River Island (similar here)
Clutch Bag: Yonks (here)
Boots: ASOS (sold out)

Everything from the interior to the food and service was first class, made all the more special by our waiter Lee.

The starter was a choice between Char-grilled Veg, with Basil Sorbet and Smoked Tomato Jelly or Peppered Strawberries and Goats Cheese Salad with a Ribbon of Cucumber.

The fish course was a choice between Sea Bass, Thai Green Risotto, Thai Asparagus and Tempura Langoustines or Seared Halibut, Confit of Chicken Wings with a Potato Puree.

The Entree was then either Crown of Wood Pigeon, Warm Salad of Fennel Spinach and Orange with a Peppercorn Sauce or Honey Roast Pork Belly, Scallops and Bourdin Noir with Caramalized Apples and  Celeriac Puree. 

Dessert was then a choice between Textures of Cherries; Jelly, Sorbet, Compressed and Puree or Chocolate Espresso Mousse, Panacotta and Coffee and Caramel Ice Cream. 

Which was a big hit...

A different yet truly special dining experience. All the guys worked particularly hard and the teamwork and solidarity was almost tangible. It was really heartwarming to see these guys working so hard to actively make a change and a difference in their lives.

ALL ALONG...

'I've committed a crime, now I must serve my time,
Six months inside should almost change my mind.
I'm sitting in my cell, watching the clock,
Waiting for the screw to unlock the lock.
My Father told me,
A true man is never ashamed to shed a tear,
So I cry myself to sleep at night,
Waiting for the next day of light,
But forever drifting in a state of fright,
I got this noose around my neck tight,
The bully's won.
For the rest of his life, he'll be ashamed of what he'd done.'

by Daniel Compton - HMP High Down


After such a beautiful meal it was then off to my favourite night spot for a few cocktails...Lab 22! 

Hidden amongst the eateries and pubs of Caroline Street, this chic little cocktail bar is fast becoming my home away from home!

A 'Mrs Einstein', my favourite of the evening...

All in all, a memorable evening!

Cheers for now...

SEASONAL SCHOOL...

Those of you that follow me on Twitter (@PHAZElifestyle) or Instagram (phazelifestyle) may or may not have seen that I was sent on a very exciting trip up to London with NARS cosmetics recently.

Working for NARS cosmetics, this happens for me twice a year in preparation for the upcoming season. You may have also seen me tweeting about NARS's recent Fall 2013 colour collection launch, inspired by the great fashion photographers of the 70's. If you haven't seen it yet I strongly recommend you checking it out, HERE. 

Anyway, back to the trip...

In preparation for this years Seasonal School, each artist was asked to prepare a face chart reflecting the 1970's using the recent collection colours, and this was mine...

Taking inspiration from the fun, bold and colourful look that adorned the 70s, I've decided to recreate this high fashion look for you guys to follow in this step by step guide, its not as hard as you may think...

Step One; Bare

•  No need to prime the eyes as a cream eyeshadow is to be used as a base.
•  If your eyelids tend to be a little red, apply a little Radiant Creamy Concealer to even complexion.

Step Two; Base

•  Using a Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil in Heat apply generously to the lid taking it right up to the crease bridge.

•  This step does not have to be too precise, it just acts as a base for the eyeshadow to adhere to and to intensify the shade.

Step Three; Shadow

•  Press and dust Eyeshadow in Bavaria on top of the Soft Touch Pencil.

• Blend the shadow upwards creating a soft halo of colour graduating up towards the brow bone. 

Step Four; Liner

•  Line the upper lash line with Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates. 

• Wing the eyeliner out taking it slightly past the outer edge of the eye.

Step Five; Pop of Colour

•  In the pop add a touch of gold Larger Than Life Long-wear Eyeliner in Las Ramblas. 

• On the waterline add Larger Than Life Long-wear Eyeliner in Abbey Road.

Step Six; Lashes

•  Curl the lashes with NARS Eyelash Curlers. 

• Add several coats of NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara.

Add a slick of Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red and Voila, you got yourself one cracking 70s Disco look...

I will be featuring some more Step by Step makeup guides, so keep checking back!

Any requests?