Hanging out with Katrina in The Make Up Dept

Last Friday, the kids went back to school and I finally took up an offer from my friend Katrina, skincare and make up guru, to come see her at her place of work - the Make Up Dept. which is part of the At One Relaxation Space in Portview, on the Lower Newtownards Road.

Katrina is a make up artist for film and TV (Game of Thrones among others!) and also helps out with MUA training at Pamela Smyth's Make Up Dept., where you'll find short courses teaching Film/TV make-up, Special Effects and also a course covering the basics of make up application, ideal as a starting point for all.

Anyway, Katrina invited me to down to do my make up (she's always looking for challenging faces!) and take some photos. Her expertise in make up and skincare would ensure I got lots of info on the right things to use on my face and then her background in fashion styling would ensure fab photos! And of course, we would get to chat for hours and catch up after way too long.

My beautification started with Skyn Iceland Firming Eye Gel Masks, which were left on for 10/15 minutes.

While we waited, Katrina applied some moisture to my skin and then we talked foundation. I'm gutted that Kiko have stopped making my favourite foundation - the Anti Age - so I brought what I've got left of it to Katrina to see if she knew of another one that has a similar consistency and coverage.

Katrina felt that the Chanel Healthy Glow Foundation was a good alternative. The coverage is amazing and I am now going to try it out myself. The colour number 40 was the best match for me.

Over this, she used her 'if you only buy one thing' product - the Bronzing Makeup Base from Chanel - which I can confirm was used on Jamie Dornan in The Fall. If it's good enough for Jamie...

Next, some cream blusher which Katrina is a huge fan of. Her favourite? Rosie for Autograph. She chose Natures Blush for me and I loved it - it was much more coral than I would normally use.

Jumping on rapidly to the eyes and lips which didn't take long at all and looked so natural.

Until Katrina added some glamorous plum gloss from Flormar for my photo shoot...

And then we headed upstairs to the studio room for photos. I wore something VERY different for me - a shift dress in a scarf print, past season from Oasis. I picked it up in DejaVu last month with the intention of wearing with black tights when the weather gets cold but I'd had a spray tan that morning and I had new navy boots from Ash to show off so I thought I'd push the boat out and do a short dress with ankle boots for once.

I'm honestly not sure it's really me - I get away with it but it's not the most flattering thing I've ever worn. But on an aside,  I learned so much about how to stand and pose. Katrina is amazing at this stuff.

Dress - Oasis (Past Season)

Boots - Ash - The Dressing Room (sold out)

Denim Jacket - H&M (Past Season)

Then, a quick change and it was back on the school run albeit a little more glam than normal!!

You can find Katrina on this link and find out more about the courses available at the Make Up Dept on this link. And you have GOT to read about the Head Melt treatment that Pamela offers upstairs in the At One Centre. Absolute bliss...I will be treating myself to this very soon.

Ax