Project Evaluation

Overall I have really enjoyed the Beauty and the Brand project and I feel that I have learnt many new skills that I can confidently take forwards into my third and final year at University.  It has been very different to any other projects that I have done before and I liked looking at the beauty side of make-up and hair, as previously we have just focused on character and historical make-up projects.

This projects has really taught me about the importance of paying attention to detail when creating hair and make-up looks, and when shooting them in the studios.  At the beginning I wasn't very aware of this, but my tutors pointed out to me that I was creating a line between where the foundation ended and my model's natural skin began.  This was something that I worked on post-assessment in order to create five looks that I am very pleased with.  To prevent causing a line, I really focused on buffing the foundation into the skin, and bringing it further down to everywhere that would be seen on camera.

Key skills that I have learnt during this project are - creating a good base will make the rest of your make-up look good, never forget to fill in or shape the eyebrows because it will show up on camera, and finally pay attention to details such as small fly away hairs across the face that are tricky to edit out.

I enjoyed researching into different beauty brands, through which I decided to continue my research with Urban Decay for my overall project.  It was interesting to see how different brands compared to each other, and how much their brand ethos' varied.  I am glad that I chose Urban Decay as my brand, because I feel that it allowed me to really explore and experiment with my looks, due to them having such a wide range of colours and products under their name.

I believe that the most successful part of this project for me has been the final shoots themselves, and that are the thing that I have most enjoyed doing.  I enjoyed looking at other Urban Decay shoots and campaigns, and comparing them to my own initial ideas to create face charts and designs, and I feel that I have done a successful job in creating five different Urban Decay inspired final images.

As a whole I have found this unit very enjoyable to take part in and I feel that I have learnt a lot more about the beauty side to make-up, especially when it comes to attention to detail.  If I were to repeat this project, I would probably stick with Urban Decay as my brand, however I would research more into how I could create some editorial style shoots, similar to how MAC advertise their product ranges.

Other Product: Final Look

For the other product of my brand Urban Decay, I chose to look at eyelashes and above are the outcomes of my final images for this look.  The eyelashes that I used are ones that I bought from Superdrug and decorated with silver glitter at the roots and small gems at the end of the lashes.  I was worried that the gems might make the eyelashes too heavy on my model's eyes and that they might possibly fall off, however they stayed in place and were not too heavy on the eye.

The base creates a good coverage for my model's skin and I think that the contouring has built a good structure to her face.  I am pleased with the rest of the make-up and think that the simple nude eyeshadow and pink lip do not detract away from the focus of the lashes.  I also opted for the winged eyeliner, as I thought that the eyelashes alone with the eyeshadow would look too thick on the eye.  Overall I am pleased with the outcome of these images, and I feel that they represent my brand, Urban Decay, well.

Other Product: Inspiration & Ideas

INSPIRATION:

Make-up & Hair Moodboard

Above is the inspiration that I have collected for my final Urban Decay inspired shoot which will be based around their False Lashes.  I have chosen to look at false lashes because I found more examples of previous lashes that Urban Decay have sold, whereas I could only find two examples of previous nail varnishes that the brand have produced.  For the look, I want the eyelashes to be the main focus in the look.  I have looked into different winged eyeliner shapes, that I think could work quite well with the eyelashes that I have made for the shoot.  For the hair I would like an up-do to keep the focus on the make-up.  I would like some volume at the front and possibly some braids around the side.

IDEAS:

Face Chart 1                                                                                      Face Chart 2

Above are two face charts that I have designed for my Urban Decay inspired Other Product Look.  I have decided to focus on Urban Decay's False Lashes for the other product, and for the make-up designs I have kept them quite simple, so as not to detract from the focus of the lashes. Below are the steps you would take to create them.

FACE CHART 1:
- Begin by applying Kryolan foundation and primer to the skin
- Contour using a darker shade of foundation and the powder around the nose creases to prevent any shine
- Darken the contour with a bronzing powder and apply Illamasqua's Ambition blusher to the cheeks
- Fill in the eyebrows using Sleek's Au Naturel eyeshadow palette
- Prep the eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Apply Nooner from Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette across the eyelids and then apply Urban Decay Ink Eyes Gel Eyeliner along the upper lash line and bring it out into an extended winged flick
- Coat the eyelashes with Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes mascara and apply MAC's Twig lipstick to the lips
- Finish by applying the false lashes

FACE CHART 2:
- Begin by applying Kryolan foundation and primer to the skin
- Contour using a darker shade of foundation and the powder around the nose creases to prevent any shine
- Darken the contour with a bronzing powder and apply Illamasqua's Ambition blusher to the cheeks
- Fill in the eyebrows using Sleek's Au Naturel eyeshadow palette
- Prep the eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Apply Nooner from Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette across the eyelids
- Coat the eyelashes with Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes mascara and apply Maybelline's Colourdrama Berry Much lip liner to the lips
- Finish by applying the false lashes

False Lashes for the photoshoot

Above are the false lashes that I have made for the final shoot.  I bought the double volume edition 40 lashes from Superdrug and decorated them at the roots with glitter and added a gem in the middle at the ends of the lashes.

Hair Chart

This is the hair chart for my Urban Decay inspired Other Product Look.  I have opted for an up-do, because I do not want to detract from the make-up or the eyelashes.  The hair design consists of the bottom half of the hair being French braided from either side to meet in the middle, and then the rest of the hair on top to be backcombed in order to create volume.


References:

- ANON, (N.D.) Side Braids [digital image] [viewed 27th April 2015]. Available from: http://marianagoh.deviantart.com/art/Side-Braids-357689879

- PINTEREST, (N.D.) Buns, Bouffants and Beehives [digital image] [viewed 27th April 2015]. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/cutsbyjames/bun-bouffant-beehive-hair-style/
- PINTEREST, (N.D.) Dramatic Winged Eyeliner [digital image] [viewed 27th April 2015]. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/dramatic-winged-eyeliner/
- YOUTUBE, (2014). Perfect Winged Eyeliner [digital image] [viewed 27th April 2015]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVXP_EFHEQM

Urban Decay: Further Product Research

As well as Urban Decay's generic eyeshadows, lipsticks and mascaras, they have other ranges of products such as nail varnishes and false lashes.  Through researching further into the brand's products, I have found four products that I could use for my final look to advertise an extra product from the brand's collection.

EYESHADOW PRIMER POTION

ANON, (2012). Counterfeit Urban Decay [digital image] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.makeuptalk.com/f/topic/115900-counterfeit-urban-decay/

Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion is one of their best-selling products.  Their customers love it because applying a small amount over your eyelids before applying your eyeshadow enhances the colours and pigments in the eyeshadow.  The Eyeshadow Primer Potion also prevents your eyeshadow from creasing, making it stand out and last longer throughout the day.

NAIL VARNISH

URBAN DECAY, (N.D.) Naked & Electric Nail Polishes [digital images] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.xsparkage.com/urban-decay-naked-nail-polish-set-review-swatches/ and http://www.zadidoll.com/2014/01/urban-decay-electric-nail-polish-trio.html

Urban Decay nail varnishes seem to come in waves of limited edition sets, as I cannot find any nail varnishes currently being sold on their website.  However I know that they have previously had a Naked nail varnish collection, along with an Electric nail colour trio.

FALSE LASHES

URBAN DECAY, (2014). Urban Decay False Lashes [digital image] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2014/08/urban-decay-false-lashes-perversion-partial/

It appears to be the same for Urban Decay's False Lashes too, as there are only two pairs currently in stock online, but having been to their stores before, I know that they stock many more.  Urban Decay False Lashes are generically black, styled into winged, fanned or criss cross shapes, sometimes with the addition of glitter.

PREP & SETTING SPRAYS

DANIELLE, (2014). Make-up Setting Spray Face-off [digital image] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.xovain.com/makeup/best-makeup-setting-sprays-at-every-price

Urban Decay's Prep and Set sprays are two sprays that have been designed to prep the skin before make-up application, and set the cosmetics after they have been applied.  The Prep Spray is designed to absorb oils on your face and minimise the appearance of pores.  On the other hand, the Setting Spray is designed to keep your make-up in place all day or night, without it creasing and without you feeling it on your face.

References:

- URBAN DECAY, (N.D.) All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray [online] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/face/setting-spray/all-nighter-long-lasting-makeup-setting-spray

- URBAN DECAY, (N.D.) B6 Vitamin-infused Complexion Prep Spray [online] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/face/prep-spray/b6-vitamin-infused-complexion-prep-spray

- URBAN DECAY, (N.D.) Eyeshadow Primer Potion [online] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/eyes/eye-shadow-primer/eyeshadow-primer-potion

- URBAN DECAY, (N.D.) Perversion False Lashes [online] [viewed 26th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/eyes/false-lashes/perversion-false-lashes

Beach Look: Final Look

This is my Urban Decay inspired high summer/beach look.  For the look I decided to focus on the beach side of it with the idea of a beach party.  With this in mind, I played around with bright colours and opted for the look that I have created above.  I decided to create the look with warmer colours on the eyes and lips, and a contrasting cool blue eyeliner.

The base creates good coverage and I am happy with the contouring, as I feel that it creates a good structure to the face.  I am also happy with the colours that I have chosen to use in the make-up.  The pink and orange eye work well with the orange lip and I think that the blue eyeliner contrasts well with the other colours.  Overall I am happy with the outcome of this look.

High Summer/Beach: Inspiration & Ideas

INSPIRATION:

Make-up & Hair Moodboard

For the High Summer/Beach Look, I have decided that I am going to focus on the idea of a beach party, as I would like to incorporate bright colours that can be found in Urban Decay's Electric palette.  Through research I have found a lot of contrasting bright colours on the eyes and lips, which I think could work really well for my look.  For the hair I want to create a high, sleek ponytail, as seen in some of the pictures above.

IDEAS:

Face Chart 1                                              Face Chart 2                                              Face Chart 3

Above are three face charts that I have designed for my Urban Decay inspired Beach Look.  I have used bright, contrasting colours within my designs, because I think that bright colours reflect Summer quite well.  Below are the steps you would take to create them.

FACE CHART 1:
- Begin by applying Kryolan foundation and primer to the skin
- Contour using a darker shade of foundation and the powder around the nose creases to prevent any shine, but do not powder anywhere else
- Darken the contour with a bronzing powder and apply Illamasqua's Beg blusher to the cheeks
- Fill in the eyebrows using Sleek's Au Naturel eyeshadow palette
- Prep the eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Apply Revolution's Calm Me Down eyeshadow to the eyelids from their Ultimate Colour Chaos palette
- From Revolution's same palette, apply WKD along the upper lash line and bring out into a winged flick
- Coat the eyelashes with Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes mascara
- Finish by mixing and applying Kate Moss 01 and LC005 from Kryolan's lip palette to the lips

FACE CHART 2:
- Begin by applying Kryolan foundation and primer to the skin
- Contour using a darker shade of foundation and the powder around the nose creases to prevent any shine, but do not powder anywhere else
- Darken the contour with a bronzing powder and apply Naked Flushed highlighter along the cheekbones and down the nose
- Fill in the eyebrows using Sleek's Au Naturel eyeshadow palette
- Prep the eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Apply I Said Go! across the eyelids and Super Y in the creases - eyeshadows both from Revolution's Ultimate Colour Chaos palette
- Coat the eyelashes with Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes mascara
- Finish by applying Maybelline's Pink Punch lipstick

FACE CHART 3:
- Begin by applying Kryolan foundation and primer to the skin
- Contour using a darker shade of foundation and the powder around the nose creases to prevent any shine, but do not powder anywhere else
- Darken the contour with a bronzing powder and apply Illamasqua's Ambition blusher to the cheeks
- Fill in the eyebrows using Sleek's Au Naturel eyeshadow palette
- Prep the eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Apply Revolution's Pink Obsession from their Ultimate Colour Chaos palette across the eyelids, and then apply Tom Tom in the corners and creases of the eyes, as well as along the bottom lash line
- From the same palette, use Over-bored and apply along the upper lash line, bringing it out into a winged flick
- Coat the eyelashes with Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes mascara
- Finish by applying LC005 lipstick from Kryolan's lip palette

Hair Chart

Above is the hair design for my Urban Decay inspired Beach Look.  I have opted for the high, sleek ponytail with hair wrapped around the band, because I feel that this will work well with the make-up looks that I have created.

References:

- ALL WOMEN'S TALK (N.D.) Sleek High Ponytail [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/fabulous-back-to-school-hairstyles-to-rock-this-fall/11/

- ANON, (N.D.) Beach Tricks to Look Flawless [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://www.ourvanity.com/beauty/essential-post-beach-beauty-treatments/

- ANON (N.D.) Long Sleek Ponytail [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://www.hairfinder.com/hairstyles4/holthairstyle9.htm

- ANON, (2010). Makeup For Ever Summer [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://www.beautyexchange.com.hk/blog/Make%20Up%20For%20Ever%20Summer%202010:%20Creamy%20Eye%20Color/8532

- ANON, (N.D.) N/A [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://vb.onstek.com/t21573.html

- LILY, (2011). Rainbow Bright Makeup [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: http://she12.com/makeup/rainbow-makeup/

- PINTEREST, (N.D.) Colourful Eye Makeup [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/morgan2nc/colorful-eye-makeup/

- PINTEREST, (N.D.) Colour in Beauty [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/arttherapymag/colour-in-beauty/

- PINTEREST, (N.D.) Disney Inspired Makeup [digital image] [viewed 23rd April 2015]. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/Andwewuzset/disney-inspired-makeup/

Spring Look: Final Look

This is my Urban Decay inspired Spring/Summer look.  For the design, I focused on Spring elements as opposed to Summer, and with this in mind I opted for pastel and neutral shades.  I like the make-up and think that it works well with the hairstyle, giving the look an innocent feel, much like Spring represents as it is typically associated with flowers, baby chicks and lambs.  On the eyes I chose to use a pale blue, fading out into a lilac eyeshadow and a pink lip gloss for the lips.  I like the fishtail plait, and I think that it has worked a lot better here than on my original model for this shoot, as she has longer hair.

Having previously shot this look and not been happy with it, I feel that the second outcome is definitely a lot better than the first.  This is because I chose to shoot in the studios and not outside, because the last time I shot my Spring look the sun was too bright for the camera to actually pick up on the detail in the make-up.  Overall I am much happier with the re-shoot of this look.