The grand old U S of A......

Soooo, its November. Its cold where I am at the moment (Mid West USA)....how cold? Minus 4. Yup.....snowmen could have a fiesta outside its that cold.

I travel back to the UK in a days time......and thought before I leave I should ponder on my first trip here to the States.

Things I have learned on this (my first) trip to America....

1. The lovely folks over here like things big....when I say big I mean HUUUUGE!!! I have eaten more in the few days that I have been here than I ever thought possible. Some things they do really well....Meat for example..some things they don't (I had a bad eggs Benedict experience on my first day).

2. Thanksgiving can be somewhat of a let down if you've only ever seen it in a movie....

3. I now say movie and not film.....(irritating)

4. When you are in a non tourist area in the USA, as a Brit, YOU are inevitably the entertainment. From a bank clerk getting super animated, asking "do you know the princess"(yeah lady...because every person is a second cousin of royalty in the UK)  to every single person that has served me food or drinks either doing a double take or out and out asking me where I am from (because clearly the accent doesn't give it away at all) to the nicest people just striking up a conversation over dinner one evening who then become friends.......,my whole trip has been filled with these encounters.

5. The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) can only be described as........OMG!!!!!
Never in my life before this event have stayed awake until 3am in order to go SHOPPING! It is a bizarre tradition the the States that sees people doing daft things just to get a "bargain". From camping out in snow and wind to charging the doors of somewhere called "Best Buy" at midnight (yes, midnight) to get a TV.....it both baffled and fascinated me in equal measure.
I'm glad I got to see it....would I do it again? Probably not...but only because I like sleep.

I've experienced 2 seasons in the space of a week...warm Spring and now Winter. I've crossed the Mississippi River more times than I care to count, had random bouts of laughter for the silliest of reasons, eaten 6 burgers in 10 days, been to a wine store in a cave, seen a car sail across a river , had beer and cheese soup and tried something called "milk duds".

My first trip to the USA has been what I would call EPIC...... I cant wait to come back and do it all over again with someone very special.

Much Love
UG
xx

Research, research, research....

Sooooo.... you may or may not know that I'm writing a book...welk, attempting to at least.

Its been a work in progress for so long I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get round to actually putting all my ideas in to paper!

Supposedly everyone has a book in them... well, I think I have about three!
However,  this one is basically going to be my ultimate guidebook to all manner of things. Make up;  skincare,  dinner parties,  packing for various trips away to baby bump beauty and pre wedding prep etc etc etc.

I don't expect it will sell billions,  to be fair if the only copy I sell goes to my mum I'll be happy!

I'd love any suggestions on what to include. ...

Speak soon
UG
xx

All new skincare products direct from Urban Goddess

Hello lovelies!

As previously mentioned in my earlier post from today you can now purchase custom made skincare products from Urban Goddess (how exciting is that?)

Some of you may know that I am in the process of writing a book and all the skincare is going to be featured including "recipies" you can try at home to build your own all natural skincare routine.
However, I have decided to create a small line of products which are ready to buy and will be made to order. Initially there will only be a limited number of products but you never know, you may eventually be able to purchase an entire range!

The Urban Goddess Spa Skincare range is based on essential oils and traditional spa treatments from all over the world.

Available to purchase at the moment:

Facial Oils - Various oils designed to treat different skin conditions and skin types
Body Oils (which can also be used in the bath) - Various oils designed to soothe, comfort, nourish and relax
Lip Balm - Super moisture boost for the lips
Stimulating Tonic Body Rub - Ideal if you need an instant boost and feel like you haven't had a good nights sleep.
Exotic Hand Cream - Super Moisturising and leaves hands soft and fragrant

If you would like to purchase any of the products, please do get in touch and we can talk about a custom blend for you (particularly for facial and body oils).

Much love
UG

xx

When you cant find your mojo and life gets in the way.....

So, its been a long long time since I wrote anything on the blog. I honestly went through a phase of thinking that I had nothing very special to say to the world.
When I first started, I thought that I would be posting every day, sometimes more than once a day (how wrong i was). It turns out that I've got loads of things to talk about but I just didn't have the time to actually talk about them on here.
Back in February of this year I wrote a big post about Valentines and how much I didn't like it. I was single at the time.
5 days after valentines I took a chance on someone who had been in my life for almost a year but who I had kept at arms length for silly reasons like I didn't think I wanted a relationship and I didn't think that he would actually want to be with this slightly overweight, slightly stressy and grumpy thing.
Turns out, he was just lovely, we really clicked and I found myself wishing that I had given him a chance sooner.

So that's partly the reason that i haven't been posting - i was all realtionshipped up! (yaay!) That and work has been very up and down lately. I am first and foremost and makeup artist and skincare specialist, however I'm also the type that can never be out of work so I like to have a 9 to 5 to keep myself going and to keep a regular income, especially as I'm trying to get Urban Goddess off the ground properly.

I had one of those soul destroying call centre jobs for a while, but I literally felt like I was in job hell so I had to leave. I am helping out now and again at my lovely friend Robyn's catering business Little Bird Catering  and I'm also doing some temping to keep myself going. Its all not too bad on the work front really.

The boy and I recently split up too. I'm still unsure why but he felt that it wasn't working and he somehow thought that I wanted to settle down (we had been invited to my friends wedding and he thought that it meant I was in the same place???) who knows how he got to that conclusion but that was over a week ago and although we have talked a little by text, we haven't had a proper conversation yet so I'm not sure if we'll work it out. I hope we do, because we had some great times (random trip to Cornwall etc). I'll keep you posted on that one.

So...here I am and its 30th July (where has the first half of the year gone?) and I find myself in a reflective mood and i felt like I could pick up the blogging again.

The good news is that my mojo is coming back slowly. I'm actually writing a book (super exciting!). Its going to be about all the things I love, super skincare you can do at home without buying pricey products, (some of whch you can actually buy directly from Urban Goddess - see the next post on how to do that) home spa treats, makeup tips, cooking amazing food for friends and family and so much more.
I'm planning on having it ready in 2013 so of course I'll write posts about it and maybe even do some sneak previews on here.
If there is anyone out there reading this who would like to contribute to my research, please do get in touch and I'll email some questions over to you.


So lovely people, a very brief update on all things Urban Goddess. Here's to the second half of this year bringing bigger and better things.

Much love
UG

xx

Tuesday thoughts........

Ok, ok...I know its been a loooong time since i posted anything on here, BUT  it has been super busy and although I've had the inclination to post i just haven't had the time.

Anyway, here i am finally!
As i mentioned in my previous post I'm working on ideas for a themed photo shoot in collaboration with a lovely lady at Yum Yum Candy Cart.

We've come up with 2 themes so far (which I'm keeping under wraps until we do them) but I'm very excited about working with her.
Think candy, glitter, rich colours, fluffy petticoats, lickable lips and all things sugar! (enough said for now methinks)

Other things I've been up to lately.....

Several bridal makeup trials, some of which booked me there and then which is a huge honour. I love being involved in someones big day and the planning and trials are huge fun. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming wedding season, I kick of my run of 2012 weddings in July so its a really busy time with trials and meets over coffee etc...

I've recently had the logo designed for Urban Goddess. Its utterly gorgeous and i have to say a HUGE thank you to Mel for her hard work on the design. She's one of the most lovely people I've worked with, and despite only having met via Twitter i knew from the start i could trust her to take on my ideas and come up with something great.
Looking forward to getting it out there and seeing what you all think!

I'll keep things short and sweet for now, but I promise I'll be back soon with more updates and I have a couple of reviews that i want to do too.

Speak soon.

UG

xx

A little look at some of my work....

Oki dokes folks...i thought it was high time i posted a few bits and pieces of my work on here for you all to see....

I'm in the process of working on a new project based on all things sweet and sugary with the help of a fabulous new friend i met on Twitter. More on that as i create the mood boards etc....

But for now here's a few bits and bobs..... Everything from the makeup to the styling and photography was done by myself so i hope you like :)

We Helped!.....Hot Coffee Photography at UK Wedding Shows

Hello again!

Its been a busy old time in the world of UG! (Just the way I like it).

This weekend was spent working for Hot Coffee Photography at UK Wedding Shows, Event City, Manchester.

The stand was set up as a gallery style space and they even provided a cosy little sofa for all of those hard working brides to have a little relax (nice touch)

Allan Vincent over at Hot Coffee, is an amazing photographer and great to work with. He's come up with a unique and original concept for his brides in terms of a wedding album.....

FREE iPAD!!!! (yes, really)

Ok, so I know what you're thinking....there's a catch, it costs ooodles more than you can afford, you don't actually get to keep the iPad, all of the above?? 

Well, you are wrong! (honest)

Allan and his team will be there for you all day, from the moment the bride pops her knickers on (ok, maybe they wont photograph that bit unless you really want them to) to the first dance and everything in between. The beauty of 2 photographers all day means that when it comes to looking through your photographs, you'll see things that you didn't even realise had been captured, mums tears as you walk down the aisle, the reaction to the speeches, the way your groom looks at you as you step up for the first dance.....

Allan will then pop off and work his post production magic (because he does all of that flash designer/creative stuff too) and design an album for you, with your themes in mind and bit of their flair and style. Then, they'll create you a stunning album and pop it onto an iPad for you! 

He'll even have it engraved AND set you up with your own Mr & Mrs itunes account so you're literally ready to go!

Price wise its not as scary as you might think.(I wont publish prices here, but trust me when I say I was floored when I saw the price and I genuinely thought it would be at least double what it was)

Now, you tell me what modern bride wouldn't be thrilled with that idea??

"We want video too" I hear you cry! 

Well guess what......they can do that too! Marmalade Toast is the sister company to Hot Coffee. Kate Harling is video production expert extraordinaire! She can light it, shoot it, cut it and author it so that that you have a stunning wedding dvd like no other.

Lovely Kate has sooo much experience behind her that she knows a wedding video needs to be just long enough to capture your memories and make you smile every time you watch it, but not so long that you only watch it once.

Its because of this that she'll edit the video down to 15 minutes, which means that you have a beautiful package of memories which is pure highlights from your day. (we think its a great idea because how many snooze fest wedding videos have you watched over the years?? Exactly!)

Should you decide you want both photographer and videographer for your day then you'll get a nice little discount of 20% when booking both.

These guys are our first port of call when pointing brides-to-be in the right direction, so if you are looking and you like the idea of what they do....get in touch! (and tell them I sent you)

Big Love

UG

XX

http://www.hotcoffeephotography.com/

http://www.marmaladetoast.net/

The March Bridal Giveaway!

In the first of many giveaways......

This month I am offering a bridal makeup package to one amazing bride!


The Starlet (bride only package)
Full make up for the bride taking into account hair & eye colour along with skin tone and the colour scheme for the wedding day.
Hair up or down with veil/fascinator or hairpiece placement where required.

*ADDED EXTRA FOR THE COMPETITION - LUXURY MANICURE OR FULL SET OF ACRYLIC NAILS*

There is also the option to add on false lases if required.

All you have to do to enter is comment here with your wedding date, email laura.urbangoddessmua@gmail.com or DM on Twitter @urbangoddessMUA

The competition closes on Saturday MARCH 31st.

Good luck!!

UG. X

The Beauty Quiz! Part 1

Are you a beauty expert?

I’m a qualified makeup artist and skincare specialist. I’ve worked for Clarins, Dior, Lauder to name a few and also in some of the most well known photography studios in the North West. I wouldn’t call myself an “expert”. More like well informed , but always learning something new.

Are you obsessed with makeup?

The simple answer is a BIG FAT YES. I own more in my personal collection than I can physically use in a week let alone a day.

Do you have your own sense of style?

I like to think so. I’m really inspired by the 50’s look, full circle skirts, corsets etc..real old Hollywood glamour really appeals to me. I have a classic hourglass figure , big bust, tiny waist, hips and a decent bum so that style really suits me I think.

I have days when I throw on my sweats and just face the day. Other days I’m quite classic in my style – jeans, pumps, plain vest or tee, cardy and a scarf etc…and other days I’ll go all out.

Do you take good care of your hair?

Yes in that I have never dyed it, never had a perm or chemical treatment etc…the colour I am is my virgin colour so to speak.

No in that I don’t get it cut as often as I should. I flit between a long layered look and then I get bored and go for a fringe with shorter choppy layers….i feel a fringe coming on again soon.

Am I ugly? Are you comfortable in your appearance?

I have ugly days. I have fat days. I have days when I want to cry because I cant find anything to fit in the shops. I have days when I wish I could get rid of my large bust because it drives me mad.

I think the honest answer to this question is probably no, I’m not that comfortable in terms of my body shape etc. I sometimes feel like this is the reason I’m single but hey ho..such is life.

Are you a fashionista?

Hmmm…probably not no. I don’t collect clothes and I go out of my way to avoid trends because I don’t like to go out and see everyone in the same thing as me.

I’m more a shoeanista…shoes always fit and I have lots!

What does your starsign say about your fashion sense? (hang on while I look it up…..www.astrostyle.com)

Color: Black – ok I’ll go with this one, I wear black a lot and its probably my staple for things like vests, tees etc…
Fabric: leather – I don’t own any leather but I like it.
Focus Area: Crotch – erm?????
Style Equipment: leather jacket, black T-shirt, push-up bra, fishnet stockings, hair dye, tattoos, piercings (hidden and revealed), silk boxers – I laughed outloud at the pushup bra, fishnets and silk boxers bit!   I don’t need a pushup bra, they are big enough! I have REAL silk stockings, I don’t need cheap fishnets! And any man that wears silk boxers is no man of mine!
Rock it Out: tight clothes, leather – again ermm???
Put it back on the Rack: loose and baggy clothes, unsexy cuts – sometimes I like comfy!

Do you look older than your age?

I don’t think so, no. I’m 28 and have been told by different people I look 25 and also 30. I guess I actually look my age then!

Are you obsessed with your looks?

No. If I was I wouldn’t pop out to the shops with no makeup on and just in sweats.

Are you an accessories person?

I like accessories I just don’t wear then enough. I wear a scarf every single day. They are kind of my “thing”.

Are you photogenic?

I have no clue! I have a standard pose in most pictures so I’ve been told. I don’t mind having my pic taken, so I guess I must be?

Can you become a supermodel?

Hmmmm…I’m 5 foot 6 ish, size 18, have H cup boobs and I like to eat…..so no.

Do you care for your nails?

I have acrylic nails so yes and no.

Are you a cosmetics junkie?

Without doubt, YES!  I love getting new things to play with and I have a huuuge wish list!

You rule fashion or fashion rules you?

I don’t follow trends, so I suppose I rue fashion? I wear what Is right for me and my shape. There are things I would never dream of wearing that EVERYONE seems to wear (which makes me want to wear them even less)

I refuse to walk down the street going “baaaaa” because I’ve become a sheep.

Are you a prisoner of fashion?

I think the above answered that one!

How well groomed are you?

Very I think. I get my nails done, I get various places waxed and  I’m obsessed with smelling nice!

Are you ageing gracefully?

I like to think so but I was once told that you should slide into your coffin sideways with a glass of wine in hand screaming “woohoo what a ride!” so I think maybe I’l l do that.

One makeup item you cant live without?

Concealer. No, lipstick! No, blusher…erm….can I have it all please??

Don't say the "v" word, she's single!

Well, its that time of year again….the shops are festooned in hearts, heart shaped balloons with more hearts printed on them, heart shaped chocolate, heart shaped cakes..pretty much everywhere you look there are hearts.

As a single girl I hate to say it, but Valentines Day utterly sucks!

If I want to book a meal at a city centre restaurant in the next few days I’ll be asked “would you like the Valentines Menu?” Erm, no I’d rather stick acid soaked lemon wedges in my eyes thanks. (paying double for my meal just because they have “Now That’s What I Call Romance” playing in the background, have switched the plastic flowers for plastic roses and offer awful heart shaped chocolates to me at the end of the meal instead of an After Eight is not my idea of fun)

If I need to go and buy a card for someone’s birthday I’ll be greeted by a wall of red and glittery naff-ness, bears holding hearts that proclaim “I heart u x amount”, a sea of clueless men staring blankly into the abyss as they compete with each other to buy the biggest (and most naff) card that will tell the unfortunate girlfriend/wife/significant other at home that for ONE day of the WHOLE year, they actually could be bothered to show how they feel.

And there folks, is my issue. Its ONE day of the year. If the person you are currently in a relationship with needs one specific day to tell you how they feel about you, then you either need couples therapy or you need to find a new partner.

I am not bitter because I am single, I am not bitter at all in fact. Even when in a relationship I don’t actually like Valentines Day.

Little things mean more to me than one (badly thought out) gesture on one day of the year. It would mean more to me for example, if my other half came home on a random Wednesday with my favourite bottle of wine or a bag of jelly beans “just because”.

I don’t need a day dedicated to love, because if I am in love then I can show it whenever, wherever and however I want to.

To those of you coupled up and desperately looking forward to Valentines Day, good luck to you….i saw a man in Asda a few days ago purchasing a pink baby-doll priced £6. I really hope it wasn’t for you.

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Discontinued lip colour and finding a replacement...eeek!

You know how it goes......you reach into your make up bag, happily take the lid off your favourite lipstick, think nothing of applying a few coats, pop the lid back on, drop it bag into the bag, give yourself a little pout in the mirror and then off you go on your merry way to attack the day.
When it comes to the point where you find yourself digging out the last scraps of lipstick with a cotton bud/lip brush/little finger/whatever is to hand...then you know its time to pop off to that shiny department store counter and purchase a brand new little bullet of lovliness.

What happens then, when you get to said counter, you search and you swatch, wondering to yourself "have i forgotten what the colour looked like on the way here?" 10 minutes of panic later and you ask the sales assistant "excuse me, do you have ........(insert colour of choice)?" and with a (generally blank) expression she replies either "sorry, never heard of it" or the dreaded words that no girl on a make up hunt wants to hear......"I'm sorry, its been discontinued"
Your mind goes into panic, you feel a sudden lurch in your tummy.......did you stockpile any?? is there enough left in the tube for tonight's date?? is there no counter ANYWHERE that has ONE left??

I have very recently experience this trauma myself. Now, as a Makeup Artist i have many, many lip colours to choose from in my kit BUT i only have 1 or 2 that i actually wear on a day to day basis in my personal kit.
I found and fell in love with a particular shade from MAC about 3 years ago while at the airport on my way to a weeks holiday in Lanzarote.
It was part of a cute little kit that contained 2 lipsticks and a lip gloss, utter bargain and made my day so much better. (the purchase of new make up gives me butterflies- its my addiction)

Said colour is called EAGER and its in the lustre finish that MAC do so well. I used it the entire holiday and then when i got home used it very sparingly for special occasions and nights out etc.

Its a gorgeous blushed coral that goes beautifully with a tan and a fresh summer day. (probably why i use it so sparingly as i have neither a tan on a regular basis, nor experience a fresh summers day frequently)

To my sheer despair, it has been discontinued (in the UK at least). I have searched high and low for one, been to department stores up and down the land..no joy. *sad face*.

So, the other day while at Sydney Airport (see previous post), i mooched over to the MAC counter and once again despaired at the lack of my favourite colour. However, not wanting to be defeated i opted for a different shade and figure I'll adapt.

I tried Morange- a super juicy looking "loudmouth" orange in the MAC Amplified Creme formula, that gives a real hit of colour and really pops. For me, far too orange and nothing at all like i was looking for. Orange is a BIG trend for the upcoming season and has been spotted on Rihanna while out and about in NYC recently.
Orange lipstick looks best on golden and olive complexions so if you are more of a cool or pale tone try warming up the complexion with a touch of bronzer. With such vivid lips, its best to keep the rest of the make up simple and understated with nude skin and lashings of mascara. If eyeshadow is a must then stick with a neutral palette.

My next shot was Vegas Volt - a luscious pink coral in the MAC Amplified Creme formula again. Creamy with no shimmer or thick lustre, it can be applied in one quick swipe for a soft coral/pink or layered to build a more intense coral/orange.

Its a wonderfully beautiful Spring/Summer shade that will slot nicely into any make up bag. It brightens the complexion and looks fresh and zingy.

I'd team this with a fresh complexion, groomed brows, a touch of MAC eyeshadow in Floof! (a subtle neutral shimmer) just on the upper lid up to the socket line, oodles of lengthening black mascara and a subtle flush on the cheeks in perhaps and apricot or peach tone.

This is one that EVERY woman should have in her make up bag!

Much love,

UG. XX

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/

Jetlag is a vile thing....but Dermalogica helps!

Hey! This is my first ever blog post so forgive me if its a bit waffly. I've just got back to the UK after an epic journey around the world and the jetlag is a killer. The post is about the fab new products i have discovered but let me explain how i came to discover them..... Well, off i went on my travels on what was supposed to be an epic adventure working on a cruise ship in the South Pacific, little did i know that 3 weeks later i would be sat at home writing my first blog post!
It was totally spur of the moment applying for the job, and i never really got that excited about it, to me it was just another way of making contacts and expanding Urban Goddess so that when i got home i could put all my energy into the business.(turns out i'm home early and now all i'm focused on is Urban Goddess- so perhaps a blessing in disguise)
Long story short i left the UK, flew around the world, joined the ship in Sydney, moved into a room (cabin) the size of a shoe box with a bathroom you could literally shower, pee and clean your teeth in all at the same time and then....day one.....trip to the onboard doctor. Signed off with laryngitis. 2 days later, put into isolation for 24 hours, no visitors allowed etc due to contracting a bug. This continued on and i got progressively worse. (clearly i'm not destined to be at sea).
Sooo, 3 weeks after joining the ship i was flown home.
My skin is literally hating me at the moment...first the flights over to Sydney in an air conditioned tube, then the ship- an air conditioned tin can, followed by the epic return journey home on flights again. Not a good combo for skin at all!
However, 2 days at home and its on its road to recovery...and why? Well, the wonder that is Dermalogica!
I stopped off at the counter in Sydney Airport and had a little mini facial before i boarded the flight (it was dee-lish!). Now, usually I'm a Clarins girl, having worked for them previously and i always swore by the products (still do to some degree) but i have to say i'm loving the little range of Dermalogica that i brought home with me.
My usual routine is: Clarins cleansing milk with gentian, toner with iris, hydraquench cram gel (all for combination skins) plus the lotus facial oil for use at night. (still a wonder product to me)
The lovely lady at Dermalogica did her "face mapping" thing on me and quickly identified various issues with my skin (i could have pointed them out myself, but it was nice to be pampered for a change instead of having work head on).
The following products are now my new routine and i am loving them! My skin feels refreshed, soft and supple and looks a lot brighter than it did when i rocked up to Sydney Airport a few days ago feeling really sorry for myself.
**I should point out that my skin is combination with dehydration and some sensitized areas**

Ultra Calming Cleanser - a gentle gel/cream that can either be rinsed off or removed with a tissue.Helps to combat skin sensitivity caused by environment, pollution and cosmetics. Only a 10pence sized amount is needed, massage all over the face in circular motions then either rinse or tissue off..

Ultra Calming Mist - a cooling and soothing spritz on toner that hydrates and calms redness. This was a godsend on the flight, i bought the travel size used it as a refresher during the long haul journey back home. Can be used over make up during the day if skin is feeling like it needs a refresher.

Daily Microfoliant - a rice based ultra fine exfoliating powder that removes skin debris and leaves the surface of the skin noticeably smoother and brighter. Only a small amount is needed, mix with a few drops of water to make a foaming paste then apply to the face in circular motions for around 1 minute. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Active Moist - a great lightweight and oil free lotion that combats dehydration and uses botanical extracts to smooth the skins surface. Feels silky and light on the skin and is really easily absorbed.

These are the 4 products i purchased and have been using the last couple of days. Usually after travel my skin breaks out and looks really dull. NOT this time!! Its soft, supple, looks refreshed and feels great. (i on the other hand feel neither soft nor supple nor great, but you cant win them all i guess).

Dermalogica you are my new favourite skin care brand (and i like a lot of skincare). No artifical colours or fragrances too, which you have to love!

Big fat thank you to the lovely girls at Sydney Airport for talking me into taking  and sitting down for a facial because my skin is loving you at the moment. Hoorah!