Northern Irish | Special Effects | Television & Film | Fashion & Media | Makeup Artistry | Beauty Therapy

Friday 26 September 2014

Self Confidence Inside and Out | An Important One with Makeup

I've been thinking about this topic for a while now and as I sit down to write this post, I know it will be a long one. I have built up a little platform, each day I can check my stats and see how many of you pop in with me. I don't know who reads my blog, a lot of you are anonymous but if I can help one person with this, I'm happy.

This is one not many people talk about but your relationship with yourself can be very tricky when you are growing up. I know many people will be oblivious to these kinds of struggles as they breeze through but then again I know many who could benefit from hearing this as could I. Only now being almost 22 do I feel comfortable in my own skin, not 24/7 because lets face it I'm female and that just won't ever happen but a lot of the time. I feel I have been through a journey to get here, I just want to tell people there is a stage where you will accept yourself and that will be it.

A little bit about me growing up, a times I probably had a bit of body dysmorphia and I think I wasn't the only one. When I think back to the thought processes and how we felt about ourselves it really wasn't healthy. We were all clones, and if you weren't that was really seen as a negative. I think I got to one stage in my life were I thought 'Do you know what, the more foundation I put on the more people will like me.' That's not normal. It's really easy to get caught up on things like this if everyone else is. I genuinely used to get really bad anxiety if people would see me without makeup, to the point where this would effect how I was living my life.

It is not healthy to feel trapped in transforming yourself into something that you feel society will appreciate more. Something that you see makes yourself more successful with your peers.

What I am trying to say is, if you really don't feel happy with yourself, I mean deep down to where it is affecting you, do not look for quick fixes to help you 'transform' yourself for other people because in reality you are masking the issue. If you have bad skin, 99% of us do too or have went through it. Go to your doctor, seek out help, try new skincare. (I am going to do a post on skincare soon which has helped me.) When my life is stressful, I will without a doubt have a full face of spots, there is nothing I can do but treat my skin and get on with it. Don't compare yourself to others, this gets easier as you grow and you realize everyone's different. You see people for what they really are and everybody has their flaws. Eventually it will just click and you will realize the people who put you down are just not worth it.
I constantly get comments like 'oh are you not feeling well? You are very pale.' when I'm makeup less. It's fine now, I take it with a pinch of salt. But be aware if you say things like this to people as it can be very triggering and stick with you. But really I am not sick (majority of the time) and I know my face is just naturally about 10 shades lighter than my body. It's also very sensitive so I won't tan it. 

Nothing lasts for ever and to know that you will grow out of this is important. Finding passions and interests and things you really love doing, puts life into perspective and eventually you will stop caring.

I for one, think this is important to talk about because I have grown to realize makeup is my passion. I think when you finally realize makeup isn't a barrier to cover insecurities but something creative and much less significant to who you are as a person that's when it all comes together and a truly beautiful relationship can form. Makeup doesn't make you. I have seen many women in true happiness with a full face on, who feel great about themselves and that's amazing. I am 100% for people wearing as much makeup (because I definitely do) as they want 24/7 men or women but always for the right reasons. There isn't any rules, it's fun, it's light hearted but do it for yourself and it can be the icing on the cake to make you feel your very best!

Please share this if you agree and think its important.

If anyone needs someone to talk to, or any makeup advice feel free to email me - beccadurrans@gmail.com 


Thanks for listening, I hope this opens your eyes. xxx


Wednesday 24 September 2014

Tim Burton-esque Pumpkin Skull | Halloween Ideas




Hey everyone!

Today I filmed this Tim Burton style pumpkin skull tutorial, I will pop the video up a little closer to Halloween so you can watch that if you want to recreate this. 

Subscribe here so you don't miss it : 

If this seems hard, it's really easier that it looks. I only used 3 main facepaints in white, black and silver (also a bit of spirit gum to flatten my eyebrows but that's optional). 

For this costume I would wear all black or a cute black dress, if you are looking to save money!

Hope you like this look! xxx

Friday 19 September 2014

15 Min Crazy Circus Clown | Halloween Inspiration







Hey all! My first Halloween related posted of the year! I would say this is the first time I feel organised and have ever posted this early. I want to bash out a good few posts/youtube tutorials, simple and a little more technical. 

This crazy clown is definitely on the simple side, which is why I give it about 15- 30minutes, I spent more time trying to get the contacts in as I am a big novice when it comes to them.

What you need?
Latex and cotton wool - for the nose
Face paints - whatever colour choice
A little bit of blood - optional
Contact lenses - your choice, mine are these :  Roach lenses 
Black outfit and Black Bowler hat - Optional or jazz it up!

Look how cool the contacts look alone.. (full screen it)


To make the nose literally coat a little bit of cotton wool in latex and mold into a ball, leave to dry for about 2 minutes and then paint it with red face paint and a little blood and glue on with latex at the end. Very simple and comfortable to wear on the face, as plastic bought ones can be heavy!

Hope you enjoyed this! Bigger and Better things to come! xx

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Youtube Crazy

Hi all! 
I have literally been putting so much time and effort in to my youtube channel, getting it up and going! I am having so much fun too. Over the next wee while I am going to be starting Halloween videos which one of the most popular post's on my blog. Thank you. Please pop on over to be able to check them out in the future.


Here's what I've been getting up too.

Modern Pin up



Elf Haul




Plus a few more!!

Let me know if you enjoyed, thanks for the support xx

Sunday 14 September 2014

Sunday Shopping | I found Wet and Wild!


Nearly every Sunday I have a Mama-Daughter shopping trip in my Gran and Granda's town, just before visiting them. Usually I spend all this time in Primark but I just wasn't feeling it today so I ventured out into some other shops. Just having a wonder I popped into one of the local pharmacies in the shopping centre and low and behold (this may make me sound sad) the most exciting part of my day, I found the American brand Wet & Wild! Honestly I am bewildered as to why they stock this as I have never heard of anywhere else or even seen it in person!
(To any Americans you may think I'm weird!)
I just picked up what I thought would be the most exciting, just incase it was terrible. I'll probably be back in for more next time, I really want to try the lip products. 

£5.29
I bought this eyeshadow palette in Poster child, probably the brightest one from the brand. I think it's cool the way they have guidance printed in the shadows, but jesus nobody put the yellow on their browbone!! Fail. But I'm excited to try this out, overall it's good pigmentation. 

Vices (red) Distortion (blue) Bleached (white) £1.59 each!

 The other items I bought from the brand were these three cream glitter pots. Originally I thought these were eyeshadows but actually it says they are for the face and body which is cool, especially for Halloween.

Can't wait to have a play with these!


 I also bought this glow stick from Topshop makeup in Play Up. It's really pigmented and I'm loving cream highlights! £10

And the next two products, my bestie Rachel picked up for me, I almost bought this Illamasqua white liquid liner in the shade Scribe but then she found it in the sale in London for £5 yay! 

She also picked me up another Mac Spice lipliner on her way home in Duty Free. I lost mine and I literally wear this every other day, it is amazing!! I think this is around £10.

Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you liked this post! xoxo

Monday 8 September 2014

Current Favourites | My Youtube Channel




Hey everyone! I am trying to make my way into Youtube videos, please give me time. (As you can see!) I am odd, awkward and I tend to swear a lot! 

This video is my current favourites of some things I've been loving over the past few months.

Please like, comment and subscribe to my channel, I promise the videos will get better haha.

Happy Monday!
xxxx

Saturday 6 September 2014

Mac Haul | Makeup Kit Buying and Treats!



Mac Haul


Mac Myth Lipstick

Mac Paintpot Soft Ochre

Pan Eyeshadows in Brick Red, Bitter, Aqua
Sumptuous Olive, Omega






I feel like I haven't bought anything from Mac in ages (probably a lie) and I've been wanted to try some staples for a while. I also had this Mac eyeshadow palette that I never used or brought in my professional kit. I could never see the point in carrying this around because it wasn't full. So this is my new mission. Me being a bit lazy, I never actually got up to check how many shadows I needed to complete it so at the time I just bought 5, another 3 more to go. I'm trying to add some more bright or unusual shadows to this palette as I already have a full neutral Mac palette. (Recommend me any favs!?)

So firstly the staples, well everyone's but mine as this is the first time I've purchased Myth and Soft Oche. On first impression I rate Myth 7/10, it is super, super pale so alone it was quite hard to work with as it showed the dryness in my lips, but with a gloss over the top it looked lovely! I am obsessed with nude lips at the moment. First impressions of Soft Oche is 10/10, for a start paint pots are one of my favourite products from Mac as they work so well for me! Always a must have step in creating any look. Soft oche combines concealer (as I'm pale) and a eyeshadow base which is next level!

On to the eyeshadows I bought;
Brick Red, Omego, Sumptuous Olive, Aqua and Bitter.
I used Omega today on a clients brows, who was super fair with bleached looking brows, this was the perfect colour. I felt I have been lacking a shade like this to cater to a very natural blonde to use really subtly or build it up.

Thanks for reading! xox

Thursday 4 September 2014

10 Little Secrets Tag | Part 2



The last time I did this tag was in 2012, times have changed from then so I thought it would be fun to do it again!
1. What is one product that makes you feel like a million dollars?
Ugh this is so hard. Close tie between freshly waxed filled in brows and a bright lipstick. I'll go with brows, I do mine myself (Don't worry I did Beauty Therapy) which is a blessing and a burden cause I'm so lazy to actually do them but I know what I like! I love Mac pencils in fling and lingering or MUA matte brown shadows to fill them in.

2. What is your skincare secret? / A passed down skin care tip
No passed down skincare tips as I'm the one passing them all out! ALWAYS TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP, EVERY SCRAP! Bare minerals night treatment in light, skincare and coverage, makes you feel confident when you are finding it tough!

3. Share your hair care secret?
To be honest I'm a bit shit, still on the hunt, I've the driest hair ever (even before it was dyed it was the same!) I try all the oils etc but nothing will fix it. Any recommendations?

4. What is your biggest diet rule?
Again, I'm shit. Probably drink at least 2 pints of water a day, I can tell the difference in how I feel if I don't! Generally more sluggish and tired.

5. Any workout tips?
ppfffft. I try to run and walk my dog. But I need the tips myself.

6. Which perfume is your secret weapon?
LAURA MERCIER AMBRE VANILLE.. see previous post!

7. What is a clothing item of yours which always turns heads?
Probably my trainer collection, 
these Nikes, always draw comments! Not everyones cup of tea either. Not that I care anymore haha.

8. What is your most treasured piece of jewellery?
Got some pretty rings for my 21st :)

9. Who is your style crush?
UGH easssy. Obsessed with Becca Dudley. She like rocks the coolest, oddest, boyish, style ever. Trainer obsession also. 
I also love, kylie Jenners style, Iggy Azalea, Cara Delevingne. (Basically follow my pinterest fashion inspo.) 

10. Tell us something we don't know about you
In 2012 I answered this question, showing my first tattoo. I now have that extended and altogether have 5 tattoos. I also said I didn't think I would get anymore, how weird. (I still want more!) 
I think back to then and I have changed soo much. I am literally a different person.




Hope you enjoyed this post, little more light and it was really fun to do! xox