Ms Moo Make Up

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kirsty

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:39:00 +0000

Kirsty and Nathan got married in July 2025 at The Gilstrap in Newark, then having their wedding reception at BrackenXcapes.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Was engaged for a year and 9 months

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

Chapple Pizza (great wood fire pizza), BrackenXscape for the reception and Gracie's for my beautiful wedding dress

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Recommendation from my photographer

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

I wanted to feel pretty on my wedding day and never had it done before. Also wanted to treat my bridesmaids to feel the same

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

Brilliant. So reassuring and made me so comfortable in trial and in getting to know you

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nope it was wonderful

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Defo do a trial, just to you can chat. All so worth it

Photographer: Paul Eyre
Dress: Gracie Bleu Bridal

"Ms Moo was amazing! Friendly, considerate not only to myself but also to my bridesmaids and a great laugh to help me calm my nerves on my wedding day.
Absolutely loved having the makeup trail before with my mum for company which really calmed my nerves and reassured me as it was the first time iv ever had my makeup done.
Ms Moo made my day perfect and my makeup lasting all day and night, even in the rain!"

Interview: Limewood Flowers

Sali Jones — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:05:00 +0000

Limewood Flowers is a UK-based wedding florist specialising in naturalistic, eco-friendly floral designs that evoke the feel of an English country garden. Fran, the absolute powerhouse behind the business, creates bespoke floral installations and bouquets tailored to each couple’s vision, often for marquee weddings and celebrations all across the country, from her home studio in Lincolnshire. Her experience in nature conservation means she's got experience in project management and is super focused on being thoroughly sustainable and eco-friendly.

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world; perhaps a little review of the last year and what you're excited for in 2026!

How to review a whole year, what a question! If I think really hard, there are two words that sum up 2025 for me and they are "community" and "joy". Running a business is work and being a florist is far less glamourous than it looks. The flowers absolutely bring the joy every time as do the smiles and tears on a wedding day. Finding new ways of working that make the bits in between more joyful has been revolutionary. A huge part of finding that joy has been the community. We know the wedding industry is full of amazing people and this year it felt like we were all working together and lifting each other up. My amazing team, who put as much into delivering my events as I do. The flower growers, the other wedding suppliers who have become friends and the incredible couples who have trusted me with their vision. Couples who could have chosen any florist and instead said they wanted me – for my style of flowers and for how I made them feel looked after during their planning. I feel very fortunate and grateful for so many good things in 2025. More of this in 2026 please!

How did you get into being a wedding florist, and being a florist in general?
It is one of those cliché stories. I adored my wedding flowers and the flowers were such a big part of our wedding day. I still remember the florist delivering my bouquet in the morning and how I burst in tears because I couldn’t believe how beautiful they were. That was a feeling I wanted to hold on to. So, I retrained from nature conservation manager to florist. My 17 years in nature conservation hugely influences my eco-friendly approach and my more naturalistic style of arranging. My friends all thought I was mad giving up a great career and yet here I am with another great career and loving my life so much more.

The industry has changed a lot in the 10+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?
I love the way that technology has made so many things easier in the last few years. First consultations are always online for me now. This makes it so much easier for couples to get to know me and me them in a short space of time. I am a natural introvert – as are most of my couples and I feel this gives everyone a little more confidence when making that first scary step of getting in touch with potential suppliers. Design tools such as Canva have also made it possible for me to give my couples a much better visualisation of how their day could look. This reduces stress levels all round and makes it really clear what couples are spending their budget on.

As for things I lament, I am not sure. One of the things I love about being a florist is that we are constantly learning and adapting. That said, flower water that has sat for too long and gone stinky and slimy will always be one of the worst things and that will never change!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you love working with or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)
My answer to this one might surprise you. One of the people I love working with is Cate at @elowynweddingflowers. Yes, another florist. She is one of the most warm hearted and talented florists about. Even more eco-friendly than me and finds time to grow flowers as well as deliver stunning weddings. We work for each other a lot and she is one of the people that has given me both community and joy this year. It does also help that we have a similarly dry and sarcastic sense of humour.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?
“That’s so Mia, how did you do that!?” That quote has been etched into my brain all year. So here is the story. As with most of my couples, flowers were an incredibly important part of the day for Mia and Mark. They are avid gardeners and we swapped growing tips for flowers and vegetables, talked about scent, herbs they like to use in cooking and so much more. On their wedding day we created a floral staircase, with a tree ‘growing’ up two flights of stairs and a crazy amount of foxgloves. More than that it was in the same style as their garden and featured a lot of the same flowers that were in their garden.

One of Mia’s oldest and bestest friends walked out and saw the staircase for the first time and that is what she said. They weren’t ‘just flowers’ it was her best friend in flowers. The personality of her friend shone through and they couldn’t have been flowers for anyone else. That is a compliment that will stay with me.

Could you pick one thing people should AND/OR shouldn't have at their wedding?
A tricky question. I always say to my couples that the only that that should be or happen at your wedding is that you are legally married by the end of the day. Everything else is optional and you should choose what matters most to you. Yet, even that can be optional as there are so many beautiful faith, cultural and chosen family ceremonies that are entirely separate to the legal bit now.

If couples choose flowers, I am here to guide them through all the decisions and choices and will always offer help on how to maximise impact within their budget.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?
My advice is all about your wedding team. When couples imagine their day, they often think about the wonderful person they are marrying, their family and celebrating into the evening with all their friends.

My advice is to imagine all your suppliers too. The staff serving your dinner, the hair and makeup professionals making you feel glam and of course, your florist. We’ll all be there on your wedding day, and maybe a couple of days beforehand to set everything up. To make sure you feel as relaxed and happy as possible, only choose suppliers who you can imagine talking to and possibly hugging on your day.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?
So, so many. I am not sure I can fit them all in here. Falling over carrying flowers, spilling water from the flowers all down myself so it looks like I have had a terrible accident – just before delivering the bouquets and managing to have my eyes shut in almost every photo anyone takes of me. It is a special kind of skill.

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?
On the business side, so many things. I wish I had the courage to start earlier, this is the best job of my life. While I know all the reasons why I didn’t start earlier I still wish I had. If you are debating taking a risk or doing something different, just try it (that doesn’t mean on your own, get all the support you can, but just try it).

For our wedding day, the only thing I would do differently would be to have less posed family photos of everyone standing in a line. That is not the memory everyone prints out and hangs on their wall. Trust your photographer to capture beautiful emotional moments that are the essence of you.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!)
This one is an easy one to answer. It is studio10 foundation. I have always felt out of my depth with makeup and that feeling only got worse in the last few years with menopause. I didn’t feel like myself and I certainly didn’t look like myself, my skin is different and my makeup felt clownish and painted on. The studio10 foundation and a skilled makeup artist has changed all of that. It feels like me again, maybe even a better looking, more confident me! That is what a professional makeup artist offers you.

Honeymoon Must Haves

Sali Jones — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:58:00 +0000

Your honeymoon beauty routine should feel effortless — not like you packed your entire bathroom! You’re on an adventure together and whether you're heading somewhere tropical, city-chic, or countryside romantic, this blog has been put together to give you a guide that elevates your glow, without overcomplicating your routine. And coz it’s me; all the products I recommend are cruelty-free and vegan. You absolutely can have performance and ethics in one small travel bag! Here are ALL my recommended products.

Skincare; You want something that’s going to do the work but not take too much time. Pack light and make sure what you take packs a punch!

My on the go favourite is always ELF Cosmetics; their Holy Hydration! Cleanser is such a good price, and it doesn’t strip the skin of what it needs. It'll easily remove makeup and sunscreen without drying out your skin too; perfect after long travel, beach days, or time spent exploring!

After cleansing, you’re going to want a moisturiser. And you know what couples beautifully with the ELF Hydration Cleanser? Their Face cream! The lightweight hydrating face cream for supple skin is budget friendly, and there’s one that includes SPF 30 too. It includes HA and niacinamide too, giving your skin the much-needed hydration. They also have a night cream with Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, and Cucumber Extract to soothe, soften, and deeply hydrate skin.

I’d also recommend an on-the-go SPF that you can take with you to top up if you’re exploring outside. Don’t scrimp on applying SPF. Skin cancer isn’t the take home memory that you want from your honeymoon!

I’d also say that lip hydration is important, especially if you’re somewhere hot. Forgetting your lips is super easy, but there are great products out there these days that both double as a gloss WITH added SPF – perfection! You can use them as a gloss during the day or wear slightly more during your nighttime routine as a mask so that is deeply conditions them.

Top tip: Pack sheet masks for a quick spa treatment wherever you are! Nothing feels better than a cool sheet mask and sitting still with your eyes shut for 10 minutes! Here are all the skincare products I recommend for your honeymoon! (be sure to add my code LFTFSALIMOO on Look Fantastic to get yourself around 20% off!)

Makeup; Let's make it effective, quick, and light to pack.

Now, I’m not one for wearing makeup on holiday (hell, I don't I wear it on a day-to-day basis at home) but if I can do a face of makeup before I go to dinner in under 5 minutes? Well, I’d be more inclined to do it. The trick is to have skin that looks like skin, products that feel easy, glow that comes from joy and rest, not a highlighter!

I would always go for cream/liquid products over powder, so that your face feels lighter and your travel bag is too. The aim of the game is to get some multi-use products to use day and/or night, or on both lips and cheeks. The benefit of that is that your makeup is cohesive and tied together, and you reduce your makeup application time. Double win!

The five products I'd choose to take with me are;

Concealer; a light touch under the eyes and on any breakouts will even you out, and lift the high points of your face. Pat with your finger to blend out if you don't take a brush.

Cream blusher; You can use this across your cheeks (and a little on your nose to add to your tan if you're away somewhere sunny!) and pop a little on your lips too. It'll save you taking a separate lipstick!

Mascara; A great waterproof will stand up to most activities, whatever the climate. If you want a gentler look for your honeymoon, maybe try a brown mascara. There's some great ones on the market these days that give you the lift and thickness you want, while being a touch softer when wearing less makeup.

Brow gel and pencil; You can always go for one or the other, but a gel will tame your brows and a pencil can be used to fill in any gaps and give you a polished look. Use both with a gentle touch so that you don't go putting too much product on.

Eyeshadow stick; I've used a few of these of late from different brands and while they last better all day with an eyeshadow primer, they stand up quite a long time without! Go for something lighter and brighter with a little shimmer and you can also use it as a highlighter.

Top tip: Instead of a blusher, you could always take one nude lipstick and one colour lipstick. If you mix them both you can get a couple of different shades for your time away, and you can sheer the lipsticks out with a balm or gloss too. Here are all the makeup products I've been loving recently that would be great for your honeymoon makeup bag! (be sure to add my code LFTFSALIMOO on Look Fantastic to get yourself around 20% off!)

(when you purchase through my ShopMy store or using my LookFantastic code, I receive an affiliate payment at no extra cost to you - thank you for supporting me!)

Hair and Makeup Freelance Specialist of the Year

Sali Jones — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:30:00 +0000

Well this is quite lovely isn't it?

I had the loveliest email last month to say that I was a finalist at the 14th English Hair and Beauty Awards 2026 in the award for Hair & Makeup Freelance Specialist of the Year.

I was a winner at the very same awards in 2018, and finalist in 2019 so it's lovely to be recognised again!

I won't be able to attend the awards on Sunday 15th March (edit; POSTPONED TO Sunday 28 June!), but I have put forward my supporting evidence, which included review from past wedding clients, one-to-one lesson clients, and reviews that I've had from fellow wedding suppliers about what it's like to work with me. Going through this evidence and putting it together has been such a lovely boost, so thank you to anyone and everyone that has ever hired me, especially over the last 12-18 months, and left me the most lovely review.

My clients always mean the world to me, and the fact that you choose me and then leave such kind words for others to see about how they should hire me - well, it blows my socks off <3

I'll let you know if I win. Fingers crossed for me!

Interview: Jason Lynch

Sali Jones — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:32:00 +0000

The lovely Jason Lynch! The quietest and calmest videographer ever. He's got a dry sense of humour, and films weddings just how they happen without directing anything - which means you're calm too! The fact so many of his couples say that they barely knew he was there is such a testement to him because he's entirely focused on filming your day as it happens, blending in with you and your guests, and letting the day unfold and capturing it all.

(photo by Charlotte Jopling Photography)

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world; perhaps a little review of the last year and what you're excited for in 2026!

Things have been great, thanks! 2025’s been a really busy but brilliant year. I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing couples. It’s been one of those seasons where everything’s just flowed really well.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited to continue building on that, finding fresh ways to capture the story of every wedding. It’s going to be another great year.

How did you get into being a wedding videographer, and being a videographer in general?

I’ve always been passionate about film and studied it at university. I knew early on that I wanted to do something creative with it, and weddings ended up being a perfect fit. I filmed a friend’s wedding, they loved the video and things kind of just snowballed from there. It’s been an amazing journey ever since.

The industry has changed a lot in the 10+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I’m glad there’s a lot less judgment about appearance these days, being a shaggy, tattooed guy, that was always a worry in the early days!

I’ve also noticed that photographers and videographers work together much more smoothly than they used to. Back in the day, some photographers were a bit grumbly and could make things tricky, but now with so many videographers around, photographers are generally well-trained in collaborating, which makes life on the day much easier and everyone benefits from it.

Here's one of the weddings Jason and I have worked on together!

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

I can’t pinpoint one specific piece of feedback, but honestly, I just love hearing couples’ reactions after they receive their films. That’s the best feedback I could ask for.

Could you pick one thing people should AND/OR shouldn't have at their wedding?

People should have a videographer! The photos and videos are what you’re left with after the day, and they’re the memories you’ll come back to again and again. A great film captures the emotion, the laughter, and the little moments you can’t always see in the chaos of the day.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

Always remember to enjoy the day, it goes by so fast! Bury a sausage the day before the wedding… Apparently it’s meant to bring good weather!

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?

I’ll never forget the time I stopped for a fried breakfast on the way to a wedding… and somehow managed to spill beans down my shirt. I had to make a quick detour to the supermarket for a fresh one before arriving! Definitely a “smooth start to the day” moment. Always pack a second shirt!

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?

Looking back, I wish I’d trusted my instincts more early on. whether that was setting boundaries, valuing my time properly, or being confident in my pricing. Learning to do that has made a huge difference in running my business and enjoying the work I do.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!)

(Jason neglected to answer this question, so I can only assume he's under NDA for a haircare brand. And who can blame him?)

Eldora False Eyelashes

Sali Jones — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:06:00 +0000

The lovely folk at Eldora False Eyelashes sent me some of their cruelty-free and vegan lashes to try out a while ago, but due to my own lashes being pretty poop, I wanted to wait until they had fixed up a bit before giving them a proper review. Cue me months later finally getting around to putting them on 😍

I’ve undiagnosed trichotillomania, which means at times in my past I’ve pulled out eyelashes and eyebrows. Wearing false eyelashes isn’t always possible for me because I have no real eyelashes to support the falsies and they would be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and become heavy!

Today I’ve popped on the S903 strip lashes which are super light weight, and are also a good length for my eyes, meaning I don’t need to cut them down to shape. I also used their own brush on lash adhesive, which dried down super quick for ease of application!

I’ve had them on for a few hours now, and they feel really good on! I can see them which always feels strange while you’re getting used to them, but I can hardly feel them and they don’t touch my glasses. Another sensory bonus for me!

Thanks for sending me these Eldora False Eyelashes - I promise not to leave it so long to wear falsies again!

Cruelty Free and Vegan Make Up Brushes

Sali Jones — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:06:00 +0000

After 15+ years of doing weddings, I genuinely think I’d be a millionaire if I had a quid for every time someone commented on how clean my makeup brushes are.

Of course they’re clean — they’re my babies!

But beyond that, hygiene is non-negotiable in my job. Can you imagine if I turned up to a wedding and my brushes weren’t spotless? Sadly, I’ve seen it happen with other artists over the years, and it honestly makes me shudder. Clean tools aren’t just about being professional; they’re about protecting skin, creating flawless makeup, and giving clients the experience they deserve.

Over the years, I’ve built up my brush collection carefully, adding to it as my kit evolved and my skills grew. Every single brush is given expert care — because I have to. These aren’t just accessories; they’re the tools of my trade, and when you look after them properly, they’ll look after you right back.

If you ever feel like your makeup just isn’t sitting right — maybe your foundation looks streaky, your eyeshadow won’t blend properly, or your blush goes on patchy — it might not be your products at all! Often, it comes down to the brushes you’re using. Investing in good quality brushes can completely transform how your makeup applies and wears throughout the day. And when you care for them properly, they can last you years — even decades. Yes, it takes a little effort to wash and maintain them regularly, but trust me, it’s worth it for better results, healthier skin, and tools that stand the test of time.

Here are some of my favourite cruelty-free and vegan makeup brushes that I’ve either used myself or happily recommend. Whether you’re just getting into makeup or you’re looking to upgrade your kit, these brushes are ones I genuinely love and trust.

Feel like you need help on how to apply makeup still with those brushes? Here's a link to my 1-2-1 lessons; I'd love to teach you how to use your brushes better, and give you some great product recomemndations too!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Abby

Sali Jones — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:08:00 +0000

Abby and Jamie married at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall on 7 June 2025. I'd met Abby back in 2021 when her bestie Kirstie got married, and we'd stayed in touch on Instagram ever since. Sometimes you just meet people and INSTANTLY get on and have simliar sense of humor - that was me and Abby! When her and Jamie got engaged (finally, ha!) she came to me straight away to lock me in for her wedding makeup. What a babe! If Carslberg did clients... <3 Here's more about her big day and wedding planning experience.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

We got engaged on holiday in Jamaica on the 7th July 2023. We had just under 2 years to plan the wedding which at the time seemed like loads of time, but in reality I could have probably done with longer!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

Hair and make up were first. I knew before getting engaged that I wanted Sali to do my make up after having her do it when I was maid of honour for my friend. Moira Borg was my hairstylist and she was fantastic!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Met at a previous wedding, followed on social media ever since

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

I enjoy doing my own make up, but who doesn’t want to get pampered especially on their wedding day! There was no doubt in my mind that you were the one for me! After the fantastic job you did previously, I was so pleased you were available for mine!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

It was fun, easy going and informative. You listened to what I wanted and gave me skincare advice which was ideal! You did my make up exactly how I asked and we had fun in the process!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Absolutely not a thing! I’ve never felt prettier!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Embrace every second of the day and the lead up to it! Before you know it, it’s all over and you’ve missed out on enjoying the build up because you’ve spent too much time worrying about the small things. Details which your guests won’t even notice. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Photography - LB Weddings
Hair – Moira Borg Hair
Dress – Alexandra Anne Bridal
Venue - Renaissance at Kelham Hall

Sali did my make up for my wedding a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t have been happier. She is the nicest, most caring and supportive person you could ever meet. Her skills are unmatched, my bridesmaids all looked stunning too thanks to Sali. She is a make up artist, best friend, drink refiller, dress doer upper and legend all in one. Can’t recommend her enough! 🤍

Interview: Twig and Vice Photography

Sali Jones — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:38:00 +0000

I don't get to see enough of Twig & Vine as a photographer so I'm putting it out into the world now that I want to work with him more in 2026! it's an absolute joy to see Mamad on a wedding morning. He's one of the stealthiest photographers ever, and because he's an introvert, you don't always see him about online but his work is stunning. If you're looking for a photographer for your wedding to get those quiet moments in beautiful light, he's ace. He kindly answered my interview questions, so it's a joy to now feature him here for you all along with some weddings we've worked on together over the years!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world; perhaps a little review of the last year and what you're excited for in 2026!
It’s been a big year! I finally launched my new website after working on it for almost an entire year. It feels so good to have something that really reflects my work and style. For 2026, I’m excited to start offering Hybrid Photo & Video packages. The video side will be short 3-minute highlight films set to music, perfect for couples who want something emotional and stylish without going for full hog videography.

How did you get into being a wedding photographer, and being a photographer in general?
I’ve been a photographer since finishing my BA (Hons) degree in Photography (a long time ago!). I started out shooting model portfolios, then moved into portraits for music publications and CD covers.
When we moved up to Nottingham about 18 years ago, I photographed my first wedding and instantly loved it. I’ve been doing mostly weddings since.

The industry has changed a lot in the 10+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?
I do miss the slower pace we used to have — when photographers weren’t expected to constantly post and keep up with social media trends. But I’m pleased that couples today care more about authentic storytelling and real moments over staged, traditional group shots etc. The industry feels more open, creative, and personal now.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you love working with or that I need to know about.
That has to be Ms Moo (I didn't even have to pay him to say this!). She’s brilliant to work with, super professional, fun to be around, and her makeup photographs beautifully every time. Venue-wise, I’d love to shoot at Grangefields again. I love the atmosphere there, relaxed, laid-back vibes, and just a great space to create in.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?
A bride once said to me “You took the most amazing photos, but we barely noticed you throughout the day!”
That one always stands out because that’s exactly how I like to work; quietly, naturally, and without being intrusive. I’m glad it’s working.

Could you pick one thing people should AND/OR shouldn't have at their wedding?
If done safely, smoke bombs and sparklers are brilliant. They add so much atmosphere and make for striking, creative and colourful photos. As for what not to have, anything that feels forced or stressful. Keep the day true to who you are.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?
As far as photography goes, do your research. There are so many wedding photographers out there now, with all kinds of experience levels. Ask to see a full wedding gallery, not just the highlight reel on socials. It gives you a real sense of how someone shoots the entire day.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?
I’ll have to think about that one! I’ve not really had many awkward ones as my weddings always run so smoothly!

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?
I wish I’d outsourced more of the stuff I didn’t understand early on. Things like marketing, web design and accounting. Trying to do everything myself took up way too much time.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!)
Honestly, I’m probably the least qualified person to answer that. I use supermarket skincare and I’m bald, so I keep it simple!

Review of 2025

Sali Jones — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 04:29:00 +0000

I love a little review of the year! It's a good excuse to go back over my camera roll and my calendar and match things up for all the crazy stuff I've done. And boy, it's been a big year! So, let's go in chronological order yeah?

January - No weddings! Three trials, a lesson, a makeover, a wedding fair at The Hilton and three content days with Perfect Silhouette kept me busy though! And Robyn and I went for dinner too! I was sick AF at the start of the new year and spent nearly a week in bed feeling awful, but enjoying a little of the snow that came to visit. I also went back to Wrexham to see my folks, and popped in to see Welshpool at the football club. (Photo: snow photo, ill in bed, dinner out with Robyn, and seeing Deadpool with Niall)

February - Boy, what a month. We sadly lost Charlie, our beautiful ginger boy, at the beginning of the month in a sad and traumatic way. It took us a long old time to get through it, like months, especially while trying to navigate work too. Sadly on the very same day, though I didn't learn until later, my lovely neighbour Mandy from my old house passed away, also under tragic circumstances. I did 3 x makeover, 5 trials, a lesson, my first wedding of the year, went to see Bowling for Soup and Wheatus with Joey, Katherine Ryan with Lizzie, and Seann Walsh with Niall. I also did a shoot with Bobbi Wren at Tipis at Whatton House, and two wedding fairs at Donginton Park Farmhouse and The Canalhouse. (Photo: beautiful Charlie, flowers from good friends, my first wedding of the year, and Wheatus supporting Bowling For Soup)

March - This month, I attended Mandy's funeral to say goodbye. I saw Chelsea again for a makeup lesson, and did wedding fairs at both the Riverside and West Mill. I had a mammoth undertaking of trials for Deanna, Emma, Sarah, Rebecca, Violetta, Sheridan, Abby! Phew. I also got to go see Larry Dean gig again, do Sarah and Sinaed's weddings. We had some decorating done too, which was a bit of chaos but good to get done after we've been in the house for nearly 10 years. Niall and I also went to Compa for dinner, which was amazing. We've booked to go again at Christmas! We had such a lovely holiday in Wells and Woolacombe; we were only meant to be away for four nights but we decided to extend it to a full week. More joyful decisions please! It was lovely weather, and I'm so pleased we made the most of it (Photo: dinner at Compa, redecorating, beautiful Mandy, and selfie with Niall in Wells)

April - Another big professional and personal month. I did a gorgeous photoshoot with Megan Crook Textiles; always a joy getting to hang out with her and her team! I did makeovers for Hannah and Mia for a mother daughter makeover afternoon, Jazmine for a 1-2-1 lesson, and trials for Derenda, Amy, Grace, Paige, Esme and Lorna! Roisin had a makeover for her big birthday party, Andrea for her husbands big birthday party, and I fit in two weddings too! I spent Easter in Wrexham as my sister was over visiting from New Zealand. We went to see Wrexham v Bristol as a family too! Got to see Marcus Brigstocke at the Arts Theatre too. Cat photo is the gorgeous Sprout who I met when I went to see Holly at Holly's Merry Moggies for some cat therapy. (Photo: family at the football, dinner out as the fab four, gorgeous Sprout from Holly's Merry Moggies, and Marcus Brigstocke)

May - Started the month at Donington Park Farmhouse for the wonderful Violetta's wedding! I got to see Kara, Caitlin and Kara for their wedding trials, and did an incredible EIGHT weddings - phew! Andrea had a makeover for a charity dinner, Jeannette and her daughter had makeovers for their son/brothers wedding day, and I went to Lincoln to see Wrexham play in their final match of the season! The very next day we drove to Wrexham for their promotion celebration. Imogen and Rachel had lessons with me too! (Photo: Selfie at Wrexham's last match of the season, Steven Fletcher at Wrexham's promotion party, hot tub times at Costa Del Basford, and beautiful Mango at Holly's Merry Moggies)

June - A big month for holidays as I spent five days in Malaga for my bestie Claire's hen do, and then at the end of the month I had a week in Woolacomeb with Niall. I saw 4 wedding days, three trials and another wedding fair at The Hilton. I love doing these as they are just around the corner from my house! I saw Scott Bennett do his show at Nottingham Arts Theatre with Niall and ticked off bucket list comedian Greg Davies at the Nottingham Arena with Lizzie. I also spent a day with Niall at Nottingham Open, getting to see the legend Marian Cilic play! We also had some doors and windows replaced at home; quite exciting for this 38 year old, I'll have you know! (Photo: Pool times in Malaga for Claire's hen do, Niall and me at the Nottingham open, and new front door!)

July - I get to turn 39! I had some birthday drinks with gorgeous friends at Broadway cinema, as is tradition, and then luckily spent my actual birthday on Centre Court at Wimbledon, being lucky enough to get tickets for my actual birthday in the ballot. What a birthday! I got to see Novak Djokovic play Alex de Minaur, and Jannick Sinner play Grigor Dimitrov. I can now say I've seen the Big Four too (Murray, Nadal, Djokovic and Federer) as Roger was in the royal box! I'm sad to have never seen him play, but at least I've now seen them all. I also had a fleeting moment with Dominic West with two boxes of strawberries and cream! I also saw Holly for a much needed hair cut and dye before my birthday too. I also had a BIG thing happen this month... I started Path2Remission. A program for 12 months that starts with 12 weeks of total diet replacement, with the idea I'll put my Type 2 Diabetes into remission. It was HARD. Especially the first few weeks of learning to be on 800 cals a day, and a real test of my willpower. (Photos: Drinks with pals (lovely Louise), birthday at Wimbledon, total diet replacement, my lovely positive potato called Chip from Robyn)

August - The diet is starting to get easier after I stop eating the stuff I don't like! What a realisation, that I don't have to eat the flavours that are minging! I had a proper test of my willpower going to Claire's hen party at The Cosy Club, but I managed it! I did three beautiful weddings and held off the test of wedding morning pastries, saw 7 people for their trials, did two gorgeous lessons for trans clients, and got to see three gorgeous makeup artists (Alex, Adele and Joey) for three assisting jobs. I also went to Aqua Sana spa with Kath for a mid-point treat during my 12 week total diet replacement! Check out the photo of my egg omlette... (Photos: Omlette, dog walk with Louise, spa day with Kath, working with Joey)

September - The last month of total diet replacement, and then I can start eating again! September is a big month for me as I've got the most work in my diary and my bestie's wedding. I did wedding day makeup for seven brides, including my darling Claire, and trials for two nearlyweds. I did an open day at Cockliffe Country House too, three one to one lessons, and a pregnancy makeover for the lovely Krithi who was having a maternity shoot. I did my first ever masterclass at Handmade Nottingham, teaching people how to nail a smokey eye! I went to see Downton Abbey film on the opening day, and watched all the seasons and two feature films before it came out so I was wholly up to date! I also had a gorgeous spa day with Claire and Emma at Hoarcross Hall, and went to Leicester's King Power staduim to watch Wrexham. We also decided to foster a beautiful cat from Holly's Merry Moggies who needed a little home, called Mr Worldwide on account of him missing his ears after surgery to remove them due to skin cancer. He's such a babe! (Photos: Spa day at Hoarcross Hall, selfie with Niall at Claire and Andy's wedding, masterclass at Handmade, and Leicester v Wrexham)

October - I can start to eat again - hooray! I'll now slowly reintroduce food over the next 6 weeks. Gorgeous weddings for Claire, Becca and Tasha, Rosie, Amy and Lily! I got to see Kaj and her family again for three makeovers for her brother's wedding day. I did four beautiful 1-2-1 lessons, and a wedding fair at The Hilton again. I also attended an open morning for wedding suppliers at Nuroosa, a gorgeous new sustainable venue in Derbyshire, and did a PR event at Golf Fang. GREAT FUN! If you need a place for an event, that was epic. I also put myself "out there" and did my first branding shoot for two years, with the lovely Anna Rose Heaton. Having great suppliers become friends who are encouraging and kind is such a blessing. (Photos: My new festive mug from Stubton Hall, holidaying in Woolacombe again with Niall, going to see Uncanny at the Theatre Royal, and having a branding shoot with Anna Rose Heaton)

November - Hello November! You've been the first month where I've felt able to breathe a bit easier after the madness of summer, and total diet replacement. I got to do loads of awesome fun events, both as Sali and Ms Moo! I drove to London with friends for a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to see the music of Metal Gear Solid played by an orchestra! I went to see Five play in Nottingham, saw Desiree Birch at The Canalhouse, saw bucket list comedian Nick Mohammed at the Theatre Royal. I drove to Skegness for the first time ever (even though I arrived and left in the dark, so I don't think I can count it as a visit really) for Rebecca's wedding. I did an open evening at Folly at the Farmohouse in Derby, and my second masterclass at Handmade Nottingham. I was interviewed by Tia about lipstick trends for her university course and did lessons for Claire, Rosie, and Laura and two makeovers for special occasions too. My car spectacularly failed its MOT so was time to say goodnight to Boop Boop, and hello to Boof; my new car! I also did two trial runs of my new online service offering...

December - The Make Up Edit! It was great to officially launch this before Christmas, and get stuck into helping my clients with their makeup purchases over the festive season. I had some more good fun seeing Wheatus with Joey, going to watch some Christmas Comedy at The Royal Concert Hall with Niall and Kirsten, and had a trip to Essex to see Niall's parents. I arranged a little meet up in December for other hair and makeup artists and got to see three babes in the industry for a good chinwag. I also attended the My Kit Co Merry Kitmas masterclass with Adele and her Mum, which was great fun! I went last year too and have already booked to go in 2026! Christmas was spent with Niall having a chilled out few days at home (though we went OUT OUT on Christmas Eve for dinner at Compa and had cocktails and shots haha) before I did Miya's wedding makeup on 28th. We then spent a couple of days in Wrexham with my folks, before going to Derbyshire for my friend Cherry's 50th birthday and NYE!

Best of 2025

Sali Jones — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:13:00 +0000

Time for a round-up of last year's weddings, and boy 2025 was BEAUTIFUL! I love that my clients all lean in to looking like themselves on their wedding days, from having fresh faced skin, going for bright colour if that speaks to their soul, wanting eyeliner a particular way, saying hell no/yes to things that light them up. I encourage every one of my wedding clients to go for what makes them feel good on their wedding day; if you feel good, you're guaranteed to look good. And with that, let's see them all in their beautiful wedding day glory!

Steph was my first wedding on the year, marrying in February and going for dinner with her nearest and dearest after then going to watch Bowling for Soup, which I was going to as well! What a way to have your wedding day :D Sarah married her beau at The Carriage Hall, so got her and her tribe ready at home with the help of Adele. Adele joined me for my second Sarah of the year too, getting ready at home in Sandiacre before having her legal ceremony, and then her celebrant ceremony with a knees up on a bouncy castle! Sinead FINALLY got married (have had me originally booked for her wedding during COVID times) at The Manor House in Quorn.

Violetta married on the first day in May at Donington Park Farm House, just having makeup for herself with her bridesmaids joining later in the morning so we had the calmest chill morning together. Gorgeous Sarah from Rock N Roller hair came to finish up her hair, and voila! Chantelle's husband-to-be booked me for her wedding makeup as a surprise (but told her well in advance of the wedding day) as she had her heart set on having me for the wedding! Deanna's wedding morning was calm as anything at Ringwood Hall, and meant I got to see Anna Dunleavy and Mon Amie Hair. What a dream team! Sheridan married at Swancar Farm, having been a bridesmaid for my past nearlywed Hazel and then booking me for her own wedding. It was so lovely to see familiar faces again on a wedding morning, and there's truly no better compliment for me than being recommended to friends and family after your wedding.

Lorna's big day was at Thorsby Hall, with my great mate Rosie on hair duties. Deanna married her partner at the West Gate Suites in Long Eaton, being the wonderful Mum of a past wedding client Jess! Again, another wedding where I get to see a past client; it's just the loveliest! Esme married under the tipis at Inkersall Grange, and Kara married at Chequers Inn in Woolsthorpe. Another wedding with beautiful Rosie on hair duties!

Grace married at Owen House over in Knutsford, hiring me on the recommendation of her photographer Maddie Farris, a gorgeous alternative photographer who I've worked with in the past. April married at Brooksby Hall, which I'd never been to before. A lovely big getting ready room with loads of natural light was amazing for her getting ready crew, including Sian Revill who I had along to assist me in getting all her gals ready. Abby booked me for her wedding makeup as soon as she had her date secured (and her husband) after I did her best pal, Kirstie's wedding makeup back in 2021. And Amy married at Swancar Farm after I did her friend's wedding makeup in 2021 too. Honestly babes, I LOVE all these recommendations!

Sarah married at Donington's The Priest House Hotel which I'd never been to before, opting for really natural makeup as she didn't wear a lot on a day-to-day basis. Grace married at Grangefields which I'd never been to before either, but she was super keen to feel like herself on her wedding day and take out of the stress that can often come with wedding planning. Her and her beau married a year after their legal ceremony - exceptional work, folks! Becca got ready at The Falcon Inn in Long Wharton, with Sarah from Rock N Roller Hair again on hair duties. Emma got ready at her family home, having both a morning church ceremony (literally next door to her house!) and Indian wedding in the beautiful marquee in her garden in the afternoon.

I knew Louise from working back in my desk job over a decade ago, and was overjoyed when she said there was only me she wanted for her wedding makeup <3 Kirsty had a beautiful tipi wedding, and booked my Elite Touch Up kit for her wedding day so she had her lipstick to touch up with throughout the day. Lucy got ready at home in a beautiful chilled out morning before her local church wedding, and Nicola got ready and married at Swancar Farm. I got to see more wonderful supplier pals at their weddings, including Chris Terry Photography, Andrew from A Big Neon Glitter Photography, and Lou from Rather Lovely Films!

Emily married at Kelham House before flying off to Slovakia for a traditional Slovakian wedding to her husband. I got to see Moira Borg and Vicki Clayson for her wedding day, which is always a treat! Caitlin was getting married at Sherwood Glade and got ready at a beautiful little holiday lodge park which has sheep and goats outside. Jordan married her love in a gorgeous intimate ceremony at The Lace Market hotel, and Grace got ready at home with her family and pals with the lovely Moira Borg on hair duties before Kirsty Rockett photographed the big day!

Charis got married at Arnot Hill, having got ready at St James' Hotel. Our beautiful Claire got married at Donington Park Farmhouse - the only wedding this year that I did the wedding makeup for and then attended the wedding of! I must definitely love her ;) Zoe got married at The Nottinghamshire Country Golf Club, and I got to see Justine's Hair for styling duties. We had a lovely morning getting her ready with her sister and her Mum. Becca married Tasha (below!) at their local church and had Jaybee's on hair duties at Bestwood Lodge. Possibly the closest wedding venue to me!

Tasha' married Becca above, mostly getting ready together until they went to get dressed and then had first looks before travelling to church together. Utter babes! Rosie got ready at home, just having makeup for herself, wanting to make sure her wedding morning was as chilled out and calm as possible. Leaning into what makes your soul feel good is 100% top tier bridal behaviour to me! That said, Amy married her love in a twilight ceremony at Woodborough Hall, led by Kickass Gathering, on their sofa from brought from home for the ceremony. Charlie married at Thorpe Garden, which I'd never been to before; a lovely big getting ready room there! Lily had a gorgeous Hallowe'en ceremony at the Council House in Nottingham, in the most beautiful big red dress. I can't wait to see her wedding photos from the big day! Rebecca married out at Skendelby Hall in Lincolnshire, which she found with four week's notice after her previous venue went into administration!

I've also had the wonderful Miya's wedding makeup to complete on 28th December. I've done Miya's makeup a few times now as other members of her family have got married, but today was finally her day to say "I do!" to Giuseppe at Norwood Park. A lovely way to round off the year!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Claire

Sali Jones — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:18:00 +0000

Oh my, what can I say about Claire? I have to be especially nice as she is my website developer and build/runs this whole online Ms Moo ship, but I will be especially nice anyway because she's one of my besties. Claire was one of the first people I met in Nottingham when I moved here nearly 20 years ago. She's probably the person I've done makeup on the most, other than my own face! When at my birthday last year I albeit drunkly said I didn’t want to do makeup for weddings where I was attending the whole day anymore (it’s tiring to work and then attend physically and mentally after), the colour drained from her face as she was just about to get engaged!

I backtracked HARD as there was never really any doubt that I wouldn’t do her wedding makeup, when her face and friendship is the reason I really started doing makeup back in 2007! Here's a relatively 'newer' shoot for us from 2014 - yanno, only eleven years ago!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

September 27th 2023 to September 20th 2025. I started planning as soon as we returned from our engagement trip.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

You! I checked you were available before I confirmed my venue, Donington Park Farmhouse. Then Luna Photography too!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

I've known you longer than you've been a professional makeup artist!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

I would never have done my own makeup. You were my only choice!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

It was super fun. You knew exactly how to make me beautiful!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nope! It was perfect!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Make your wedding your own! Don't do any traditions or superstitions you don't want to. Remember it's your day.

Photos: Luna Photography
Videography: Bigger Boat Film
Hair: Lilly Monroes
Venue: Donington Park Farmhouse
Dress: My Little Wedding Shop

“Sali has been one of my besties for years and the only person I ever go to for make up, so there was never any doubt for me who would do my wedding make up! I trust her 100% and there was plenty of “Sali Specials” in my trial where I just went with her recommendation. But she knows exactly how to make my face look flawless without losing it’s definition (I like my freckles!) and she captured exactly the right balance between glam and sophisticated I was after with the perfect amount of purple! She’s truly an artist, and knows her stuff! Bonus points for being cruelty-free and inclusive, she’s a truly wonderful human being.”

Christmas Present Ideas 2025

Sali Jones — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:46:00 +0000

I love doing a little gift guide for you all, so here's my Christmas Present gift idea list for 2025. As per last year, I've kept the list as under £15, over £30, under £60, and then over £60!

Anything that is marked with a * means that if you use my affiliate code, you'll get an extra little discount on top of the prices quoted below and I'll make a little money too. Bonuses all around!

VE Cosmetics - Use my code MSMOO to get 10% off your order

Look Fantastic - Use LFTSALIMOO to get up to 20% off your order

Charlotte Tilbury - Use CT-SOC9QUX5KYZ to get up to 15% off your order

Under £15

* VE Cosmetics The Lovers Eyeshadow Palette - £10.00
I know I included this palette last year, but it's now in VE Cosmetics' sale and they are down to their last stocks of it; and it's just a tenner! I use it all the time when I want bright eyeshadow, so go grab it. (Use my code MSMOO to get 10% off your order)

brushworks Makeup Remover Cloth - £2.99
Excellent for removing your makeup! By a couple of them, and use them every day to remove your makeup with some cleansing balms or face wash. They are super soft and super durable.

Eylure 3/4 Length False Lashes - No. 008 Twin Pack - £10.00
Some of my absolute favourite lashes to add some drama to your eye makeup. They are 3/4 lashes too so you don't need to trim them to size. Perfect for Christmas parties or New Year shennaigans!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - £9.99
The best foundation brush out there! An absolute staple of my kit, and 100 times easier to keep clean and blend your makeup than a sponge. Make the switch, you won't regret it!

StylPro Make Up Brush Cleansing Solution 500ml - £14.99
This stuff will help look after your brushes and hopefully encourage you to keep on top of cleaning them too. You can get a * set of the solution with a gadget that helps clean them, but I do find the gadget a bit faddy. I'd rather pop the other stuff in a spritz bottle and clean my brushes on a flannel instead of swirling them in the product and risk getting too much liquid into the bristles and handle. But if it makes you clean your brushes more, then bloody go for it!

KIKO Milano Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour - £11.49
Such a lovely little contour stick for super easy definition on your face. Blends lovely too, so you're not left with a massive stain on your face!

KIKO Milano Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker - £11.99
Talking of stains, this is a good lip marker. Good colour pay off that you can layer up to make bolder, and then pop a balm on top if you want a little comfort. Great if you want some colour but no texture changes on your lips!

Under £30

* Real Techniques Face Base Set - £19.99
The best face brushes out there. I recommend these to everyone who has a lesson with me! It includes the Expert Face brush I mentioned above.

* Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials - £19.99
The second set of brushes I recommend to my lesson clients; everything you need for your eye makeup! Super affordable and great quality. Both sets will last you a really long time if you look after them.

* Urban Decay Moondust Quad Space Rider - £28.00
Such a popular palette in my kit this year, adding sparkle to your eye makeup. Star Cowgirl has probably been the most popular colour, but a wash of all the others on top of makeup or in positions you want to highlight is gorgeous.

* The Inkey List You Need To Build Barriers - £30.00
Such a great gift set from The Inkey List containing a trio of products aimed at hydration and building your skin barrier. It comes with a cleanser (their cult product, the Oat Cleansing Balm), and their hydro barrier serum, and the Bio Active Ceramide moisturiser. I use this religiously before bed, it's so lovely. And you can use the cleanser with the face cloths I recommended above - yay!

* PIXI DetoxifEYE Eye Patches serum (30 Pairs) - £22.00
Thirty pairs of these eye patches at £22.00 means you get each use at 73p. Imagine using them every Sunday over the course of the year - you'd feel great every Monday morning! You don't have to use them daily (though obv as a business they will encourage you to do so) but even if you use them sporadically, they will benefit your face. My top tip? Keep them in the fridge so they are cool too; it feels lush on a hot day!

* Charlotte Tilbury's Iconic Mini Lip Trio - £29.00
I've used Icon Baby and 90's Pink SO much this year, they are such lovely lipsticks. 90's Pink is a personal favourite of mine too, and you know how much I love pink! Super moisturising formula so they feel really satin and rich on your lips without feeling sticky or matte. A really happy medium!

Under £60

Ms Moo Make Up's Masterclass at Handmade Nottingham - £35.00
A ticket to my makeup masterclass at Handmade Nottingham! It takes place on Sunday 30 November and is just £35.00 for two hours with me, learning all this is to know about creating my signature smokey eye look.

* Too Faced Dream A Little Dream Gift Set - £36.00
What a lovely little gift set with a blusher and lip gloss duo in full sizes. No minis here! The pink is super bright and pigmented too, and lovely to blend into all skin tones.

* Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Instant Look in a Palette - £58.00
I think I personally prefer the Pretty palette over Dreamy, but both are gorgeous and are such good products all in one mini palette. Three beautiful eyeshadow shades, a face powder to mattify, a bronzer to sculpt, and two complimentry blushes - one with a little shimmer to add as a highlighter. A real good all rounder!

Delilah's Smoky Eye Essentials Collection - £52.00
The palettes from Delilah are stunning, and I've had both Jezabel and Venus in my kit for well over a year now and they get used regularly. I love that this kit comes with a soft eyeliner too (with a little sharpener in the end of the pencil; genius!) and an eyeshadow brush. I love using these palettes on mature clients and younger, so a great all rounder present for someone who loves their makeup, whatever their age.

* Charlotte Tilbury's Mini Viral Beauty Icons - £45.00
Ok, so this is the first of a few gift sets from Charlotte Tilbury but what can we say - the queen knows what she's doing when it comes to putting together some great complimentry products at Christmas! You get a mini airbrush setting spray, matte revolution pillow talk lipstick and matching lip liner, and her beauty wand highlighter in Pinkgasm. Four gorgeous items that I have all of in my professional kit. You won't be disappointed.

Vieve - The Heroes £58.00
I only recently got some Vieve products, but the Skin Nova is flippin' gorgeous and one of my new favourite bases. It goes on super smooth and still looks like skin, but giving you some coverage to make you look like you've got the most healthy looking skin ever. It's only a travel size one in this set but I promise after you've tried it, you'll be coming back for the full size. I've also got the mascara (of which, you get a full size one in this set) and it's lovely too. And there is a cute makeup bag too!

Fenty Beauty Fenty's Finest - £32.00
Another trio of three beautiful products from Rhianna's Fenty Beauty range. The diamond bomb highlighter is gorgeous, and her Gloss Bomb Stix lipstick is super moisturising AND beautiful. Hooray! Topped up with a mini Hella Thicc mascara.

Over £60

* Charlotte Tilbury - Beauty Treasure Chest - £175.00
This is super value, considering you get five full sized products and seven minis. And you get a HECKING discount using my affiliate code too! Whether you use this an advent calendar or just a big old treat for yourself, it's a bumper gift.

The Body Shop - Sugarplum Passion Ultimate Collection - £60.50
Ok, so it's only JUST over £60.00 but it needs to be included here! I love the Sugarplum smell from The Body Shop this year, and this is such a good value set considering you're getting five full size products from them; body mist, shower gel, body butter, body yoghurt, and hand cream. Check out their Cranberry Crush if you don't think Sugarplum is for you; the set is the same but in a cranberry flavour. This Caramel Cuddle set is under £50.00 and doesn't have the body mist too.

Spectrum Collections' Katie Jane Hughes 25 Piece Brush Set - £139.99
I wish this came in a colour other than green, but I love these brushes. It's just the perfect set for a real makeup enthusiast as it has literally everything you could ever need. And the brushes are SO white in colour, I find it makes me want to work to keep them cleaner even more! It comes with a little brush cleaning towel too, which is a good touch.

* Fenty beauty Gloss Bomb Vault - £123.00
A set of ten lipglosses from Rhianna's Fenty Beauty. Rathe a cult beauty product in the makeup world for the unreal shine they give off, I really love the Heat Hot Cherry for the gentle plumping and gloss. As theses are often £15-£23 per gloss, the price of £123.00 for ten glosses is great.

Remember to use my discount codes to save yourself further money!

VE Cosmetics - Use my code MSMOO to get 10% off your order

Look Fantastic - Use LFTSALIMOO to get up to 20% off your order

Charlotte Tilbury - Use CT-SOC9QUX5KYZ to get up to 15% off your order

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Sinead

Sali Jones — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:53:00 +0000

My gal, Sinaed and her beau Matt finally tied the knot in March 2025 - hooray! Sinead intially booked me for her wedding back in 2020, but we all know what happened then...! A few rescheduled dates later, and the arrival of Freja into their lives, and it was finally time to get that knot tied! I had a super lovely morning with Sinead's family, and her brothers reaction to seeing her in her dress was just gorgeous.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

We got engaged in January 2020, married (finally!) in March 2025. We had COVID to contend with, a pregnancy and multiple date moves but solidly, it took about 18 months to plan.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

We booked Liam Gingell Photography, Ms Moo Makeup and Flower Plant the moment I had finally secured a new date!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Someone recommended you on Instagram!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

Waaaaay back in 2020 initially and then again in 2023.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

Amazing, so glad to have finally met you! I felt at ease after being so nervous.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Not a thing!! We were in sync baby lol

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Find suppliers that listen! That makes you feel comfortable and have great communication.

"Sali, the most beautiful human being and fantastic MUA I've ever met. She made me feel amazing, beautiful, natural and just a million bucks on my wedding day. She doesn't just do your make up; she helped me get in my dress, helped with the overall chaos of the morning and kept telling me the breathe! I had so many compliments, my bridesmaids all loved her work and I would 100% recommend booking this angel for your big day!"

If you're looking for your wedding makeup artist with the skills and vibes to add to your perfect wedding morning, I'm that gal for you!

Venue: The Pavilion at The Manor House
Photography: Liam Gingell
Hair: Natalie Branson
Bouquet: The Flower Plant
Dress: Wed2Be

Ms Moo's Christmas Present Ideas 2025

Sali Jones — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:12:00 +0000

Looking for a perfect Christmas present that’s thoughtful, personal, and totally guilt-free? This year, give the gift of cruelty-free beauty! As a Nottingham-based makeup artist who’s passionate about ethical, vegan-friendly products, I’ve put together a few gorgeous gift ideas that are perfect for the beauty lovers (or self-care queens!) in your life, that also support little old me as small business owner.

💫 For the Makeup Obsessive

My very own cruelty-free and vegan eyeshadow palette makes a stunning present for anyone who loves to play with makeup. Bridal Eyes II has a mix of buttery mattes and dazzling shimmers, and the shades are designed to suit all skin tones—ideal for creating everything from soft everyday looks to full-on festive glam. It’s a little touch of luxury that’s kind to animals and the planet. It'll be gift wrapped by me too, so you don't have to do that yourself, and it'll be ready to pop straight under the tree. TICK!

💄 For the Glam Lover

A makeover experience is the ultimate treat for someone who deserves to feel extra special. Whether it’s for a big event, a night out, or just a confidence boost, I’ll create a bespoke look that enhances their natural beauty and makes them feel amazing. It’s the perfect way to get pampered and leave feeling fabulous. Gift vouchers are available and make a lovely surprise under the tree!

💋 For the Makeup Lover Who Wants to Level Up

My one-to-one makeup lessons are perfect for anyone who wants to feel more confident doing their own makeup. Whether it’s learning how to create a flawless base, mastering an everyday look, or refreshing their routine with new techniques and tips, each session is completely tailored to them. It’s a relaxed, confidence-boosting experience that helps them get the most out of their own makeup bag—and themselves! I'll post you out a physical gift voucher too which are fab for the recipient to open on Christmas morning.

🎁 Ready to Shop or Book?
You can order my eyeshadow palette or grab a gift voucher through my website - use this link for makeovers, and use this link for a makeup lesson!

Let’s make this Christmas cruelty-free, confidence-boosting, and absolutely gorgeous!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Deanna

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:51:00 +0000

Deanna and Will married at Ringwood Hall in Chesterfield in May 2025. She booked me in May 2024, which is just the perfect time to get your wedding make up booked in - at least 12 months or more notice is the best! We booked in her trial in March 2025 and she booked to see her hairstylist, the gorgeous Amie from Mon Amie just after. Booking your trial with your hair and makeup artist on the same day is a great idea for you to work out how you're going to look on the big day - also, two birds one stone of being pampered and you can arrange to go for dinner and/or drinks after - BONUS!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Engaged in 2022, and married in 2025! We planned from 2023, so two years all in all!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

We first booked Ringwood, our venue, and then our photographer, Anna, from Pear and Bear.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Anna had a ‘Suppliers I love working with’ part of her website, and I found you listed there.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

I clicked on your Instagram and watched your Reels and saw how happy (and amazing!) your brides looked. I loved how inclusive your brand is, and how your style was somewhere between ‘no makeup makeup’ and ‘full glam’. I would have never done my own makeup in a million years, but I couldn’t have been more thrilled to have found you as my makeup artist!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

The trial was perfect - you were friendly, made me comfortable (and laugh!), and gave me great tips on making my wedding makeup last. I used your discount codes to buy skincare you recommended, and you let me change things to feel more like me whenever I asked. I literally spent the rest of my trial day raving about you!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Not a thing! And my bridal party all felt the same way - including my Mum, who, by her own admission, didn’t know what she wanted, or how to make her slightly maturer skin look good. My wedding makeup was that of dreams - I felt incredible all day, and it didn’t move an inch. I was in my makeup for 15 hours and it looked the same by the end of the night!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Remember to top up your lipstick before portraits (I forgot this but no biggy!) and definitely have a trial before the wedding. I’d even recommend wearing white to the trial because I had no worries about how my makeup would look with my dress at all on the day because I knew Sali would work her magic!

"Sali (Ms Moo) is the wedding equivalent of an angel - not only is she the loveliest, but she is a true artist. Right from reaching out to her by email, all the way up to walking down the aisle, Sali’s support was second to none. She kept me calm all morning, helped me into my dress, had a laugh with my whole bridal party, and put everyone at ease. She was an absolute trooper and even showed up when she was unwell (and wore a mask to keep us all safe and healthy). I spent all day being complimented on my makeup, and I couldn’t be more excited to tell them all about the lovely Sali that did my makeup. I’ve recommended Sali to a few friends that are recently engaged, and would do so to anyone getting married! My makeup literally didn’t move an inch, for the 15 hours I was in it! Not only is Sali a fantastic MUA, but she is also a completely safe and inclusive space, which was super important for me, and makes me feel confident in recommending her to anyone at all! Thank you Sali for being the best! I’ll be booking in for a 1-2-1 makeup lesson in the near future!"

Venue: Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa
Hair: Mon Amie Hair
Photography: Pear & Bear Photography
Dress: Eternally Yours Bridal
Flowers: Silk Wedding Flowers by Aimee

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kellie

Sali Jones — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:48:00 +0000

Kellie and Nick got married in May 2024 at a gorgeous ceremony at Arnot Hill registry office in Arnold, Nottingham. It's set in such a lovely park, it's a gorgeous setting for an intimate wedding. Kellie also lived literally two streets away from me - the closest wedding I've ever done, ever!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We got engaged 2 years before. We didn't start arranging the wedding properly until about 8 months prior. We knew most people plan years in advance, but we were determined. We got married on May 9th 2024, 14 years to the day since we first met.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
We booked Arnot Hill for the ceremony, they were fantastic and very neurodivergent friendly. We had a small meal after with family at The Willow Tree who were fantastic. I booked Sali because I'd seen friends have their wedding make-up and tutorials with her and it was the best choice. My hair was done by Katrina's Mobile Hairdressing who I'd found after looking for quiet hairdressing appointments. They were both brilliant and calm and funny which really helped with my nerves on the day. Flowers from Etsy, Photos by my niece, both were beautiful.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Facebook friend of friends, and recommendations.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I was considering doing my own make-up, but I wanted something more natural rather than full goth! I booked Sali because friends had recommended her. I had my trial and just felt at ease, and I came away with skin that glowed. I made 100% the right decision.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Sali listened, advised, and made me feel really comfortable. I didn't know what I wanted, but Sali had some brilliant ideas and tips.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
No. I wanted a change from my usual darker alternative style make-up. We went for a more natural look with a hint of purple in the eyeshadow. My skin absolutely glowed and I felt beautiful.❤️

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Take some time together as a couple, away from wedding planning, to do the things that made you want to get married in the first place.

I went with Ms Moo Make Up for my wedding after seeing lots of my friends having theirs done by Sali for their own weddings, photo shoots as well as having make up lessons with her.
It was a fantastic choice. From start to finish Sali was brilliant. I had a lovely chilled trial in her bright clean studio, where she helped recreate my ideas with her own tips and suggestions.
On the actual day Sali was a star, calming nerves, making us laugh, reminding me to eat something, and putting my mum and daughter at ease. Brilliant communication, LGBTQ+ and Autism/ADHD friendly, and body positive always. It was a warm day in May but my make-up lasted all day/evening, my skin looked flawless, and I felt incredible.
I even got a little bag with essentials in to top up throughout. Thank you so much Sali!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Georgia

Sali Jones — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 03:31:00 +0000

Georgia and Alex married at The Chapel on the Hill in Kimberley in early October 2024, and had their wedding reception at The Canalhouse in Nottingham city centre. After her trial, we changed up her lipstick for one she wore all the time and made her feel powerful! I'm always open to hearing your tweaks and changes after your trial - it's your face, and I want you to be happy and feel incredible wearing your makeup! It's a collaboration between us, after all.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged November 22, married October 24. Most things were booked and sorted by the end of 2023.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Canalhouse function room on Canal Street, Nottingham. Chapel On The Hill wedding venue in Kimberley. Anna Rose Heaton, Photographer.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Google search

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Based on positive reviews and locality. Yes, it was considered due to the budget.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Enjoyable, informative and supportive

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
No, everything was great

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Keep the bigger picture in mind, allow for plenty of time to plan and keep to a budget

(adore this photo of Georgia dancing on the dancefloor at the end of her wedding day, with the fan I gave her, with makeup still intact!)

Photographer: Anna Rose Heaton
Venues: Chapel On The Hill in Kimberley, and The CanalHouse

RIP Illamasqua

Sali Jones — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:03:00 +0000

While it's not been officially announced that Illamasqua are being wound down, from the way things are going, I'd suggest it more than looks that way.

The long and short of it it is that I'm totally gutted. However long you've known me, you'll know that I've loved Illamasqua as a makeup brand. My first order from them was December 2011 and ever since, I've essentially been a fully paid up member of their fan club. They created incredible products with an incredible shade range, with the tagline "make-up for your alter-ego". It was important to them that their fan base felt safe, secure, represented, and they created products for artists. They've always been cruelty-free too, and had a massive vegan range.

They were acquired by The Hut Group in 2017 and ever since, it's sadly just gone downhill fast.

These days, their Instagram is barely functioning as it continues to post every few days, but there's no interaction with the fans who are screaming into the abyss - what's going on, Illamasqua?!

So many of their products are now just permanently out of stock, and with whatever is left, there's always a 70% off sale on. They've also been found on sites such as Boop Beauty and Liquidation Store recently, where items are described as "Excess Inventory". Nothing comes back into stock, there have been no new products released in about 2 years, and they stopped their pro discount at least 12 months ago too.

It'll mean big changes for me as a makeup artist, as some of their products have been staples in my kit for well over a decade. Their Skinbase foundation has been the only foundation I've had in my kit for 5+ years now. It truly looks like skin when it's applied and is buildable to a good full coverage foundation, again, while still looking like skin.

Their Beyond Veil primer suits anyone and everyone that wants a "lit from within" glow without needing a shade range, like the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.

The Gel Sculpt contour stick was so innovative and gave such a beautiful contour without ever needing loads of elbow grease to blend it in. The number of gel sticks I've used that have been more cream and then truly made you shit yourself when it doesn't blend out...!

Their Waterproof Masquara was sensational. I've used it since about 2020 and it never budged at all. I had quite a "to do" with Illamasqua though when I was purchasing top ups of their mascara and found that that the packaging said it was the Waterproof product, but the tube inside the packaging was the regular Raven mascara - and because I've used the mascara for so long, I could also tell that the product inside the tube wasn't the Waterproof stuff either! I had countless refunds and sent products back to them (and Look Fantastic, who are also owned by The Hut Group) when I argued that the product in the tube was NOT the same, and that it was false advertising to say it was the Waterproff stuff when it wasn't.

Despite the bad customer service in recent years, I've truly LOVED Illamasqua products and their whole ethos. I'm gutted that they are clearly not being invested in, and that the brand is being left to ruin by unscrupulous people. RIP Illamasqua. You were perfect to me.

Cruelty Free and Vegan SPF

Sali Jones — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 03:33:00 +0000

Anyone and everyone who's had a lesson with me will know I bang on about SPF a lot. Wearing it every day, in a good quantity and sheltering yourself from the sun is the easiest (and one the best) thing you can do for your skin in the long term. And it's such an easy thing to do each day, and to build into a routine!

But buying one can be super confusing, esp with all the letters and numbers and acronyms. What the flippin' heck do they mean?

Here's a simple breakdown for you...

UVA - far more sneaky rays, as these ones cause skin cancer, destroy your skins elasticity by knackering up your collegen, and turn you into a leathery looking bag.
UVB - these ones are the ones that cause burns. Redness, blisters etc - a sign your natural protection has been exceeded and you're in rough territory!
We need to look for BOTH UVA and UVB to make sure we're getting a good amount of protection from both of these rays.

To keep yourself safe in the sun, please:

- reapply every two hours.
- waterproof label can be useful, but remember it still needs reapplying. The protection your sunscreen gives you will be weakened if you're sweaty or in a pool/the sea more. So, just reapply!
- higher temperatures mean it's working harder. Stay out of the sun the best you can.
- the higher the altitude or closer to the equator means you need more protection.

Here are some lovely ones that are cruelty-free and vegan. Remember - if you purchase from Look Fantastic, use my code LFTFSALIMOO and you'll likely get up to 20% off!

Charlotte Tilbury Invisable UV Flawless Poreless Primer - SPF 50

A staple in my makeup kit, as it sits lovely under makeup in the summer. It's expensive to use day in and day out, but I find it lovely for clients who're going to be wearing a full face for a full day. (Use my code msmoomakeupSMFCX for 15% off your first order on CT!)

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics - SPF 50

I've tried this one personally, and it's one of my favourites. It's very light and absorbs lovely.

Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist - SPF 50

Spray version! Makes a great point of being a face and scalp mist - make sure you spray any areas of your scalp that are exposed, especially with hair partings or if you're losing your hair.

P20 Original SPF 50+ Spray - SPF 50

Another good spray, which states is for face and body. While it says it lasts up to 10 hours, take that with a pinch of salt. You still need to reapply regularly.

Ultrasun Transparent Sun Protection Sports Gel - SPF 30

A gel forumla, which feels nicer than the cream versions of SPF. States it's good for sports and is "water resistant" but considering you'll sweat doing sports, it's still important to ensure you reapply regularly.

The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi- Protection Light Essence - SPF 50

I find this a little greasy for every day use, but one of my friends absolutely loves it. She has much drier skin than me though.

The Ordinary UV Filters Sun Protection Serum - SPF 45

A good consistency, and absorbed nicely but I didn't like how it sat under my makeup. Great for use on its own though.

Pai Skincare British Summer Time Glow Illuminating Sunscreen - SPF 30

I did a reel about this after Pai kindly sent me some to use last year. Another great one for use on its own. Has an illuminating glow to it, so would be lovely for slightly older skins that need a little boost of glow. They have the same sunscreen without the glow here, which says it's situable for sensitive skin.

Inkey List - Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen - SPF 30

Another one that I'd say is better suited to dry skinned babes, I didn't like how it felt on my oily skin but with some squalene in it, I think it'll hydrate dry skin just lovely.

Tropic Skincare Sun Stick - SPF 50

An easy one to keep in your handbag, in a stick form so you can swipe it over your skin wherever you are.

Winter Wedding Offer

Sali Jones — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 02:47:00 +0000

Winter weddings are absolutely gorgeous! I love the romantic atmosphere and cosiness of a winter wedding; no overheating or squinting in the high summer sun, crisp and frosty landscapes, complementary rich deep tones, twinkling lights, festive decorations and if you're lucky, maybe even some snow drenched photos.

I'd love some more winter wedding bookings so I'm bringing out this offer to tempt you into having me involved in your big winter wedding...

(Photography: Robyn Ward Photography)

For each wedding booking taking place between Monday 1 December 2025 and Tuesday 31 March 2026 will receive an Elite Touch Up kit from me - worth £75.00 - completely free of charge!

My Elite Touch Up kit includes your full sized lipstick in your chosen colour from your trial, a Charlotte Tilbury mini setting powder and more! Everything to get you through the day, ensuring your makeup is picture perfect all day long.

(Photography: L - A Big Neon Glitter, R - Emily & Katy)

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Brogan

Sali Jones — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:57:00 +0000

Brogan and Mike did their "I dos!" in October 2024, in a gorgeous autumnally styled Donington Park Farmhouse. She got in touch with me in May 2024 after seeing my makeup on a mutual client of her hairdresser.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged May 2022, two years of planning!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Venue first! Then Fabio, our photographer, not long after

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I saw photos of you doing someone else's wedding that I knew, and it looked fab!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I booked you so that my makeup was one less thing for me to stress about on the day, there was no way I could have done it myself without a tantrum

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
So much fun! Really easy, I felt comfortable asking for what I wanted and we had a real giggle

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
I wouldn't have changed anything about the makeup you did for me! I wish I'd remembered to reapply my lipstick during the day, but that's user error 😂

Any advice for someone else getting married?
You'll never really know how a makeup idea will look on your face until you try it, it's your big day and you want something special, but don't be afraid to stick to the styles you know suit you.

"I am so utterly relieved that I booked Sali for my wedding. She put me instantly at ease and I felt so comfortable to be able to ask what for what I wanted, which Sali 100% delivered on. She was such a great presence all morning, being excited and hyped with us but also gently calming us down and hurrying us along when we started to fall behind schedule.
My makeup didn't move an inch all day, and all her tips and tricks helped me to maintain it and keep it looking it's best all day. Sali was also super understanding when doing my Mum's makeup, who has lots of skin sensitivities.
If I were doing it again I would hire Sali again, every time."

Photographer: Fabio Photography
Venue: Donington Park Farmhouse
Hair: Kath Chidley
Celebrant: Gaynor Doherty - bestdayeverceremonies
Venue Styling: The Rustic Corner

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Yvette

Sali Jones — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:44:00 +0000

Yvette and Ben married in April 2024 at Cockliffe Country House; just up the road from me! It's so nice being able to roll out of bed and go to work haha! She was recommended to me by the lovely Nicola who married in December 2020, and was one of her bridesmaids. Hearing that a past client has recommended me is just the loveliest, so thank you to everyone and anyone whoever recommends me to friends and family that are marrying. It's just the best!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged April 2023 and married April 2024 so 1 year in total, all the main bits were sorted in the first 6 months. (Yvette contacted me in June 2023 and was speedy!)

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Venue, I walked around on a show day and fell in love with it! Next up was venue styling; Wedding Delights did a great package for venue styling at a reasonable cost

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Recommended by my best friend as you did her wedding makeup

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Never considered doing my own make up. I wanted the day to be stress free and the idea of me trying to do winged eyeliner and false lashes myself on my wedding day was a recipe for disaster.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Very relaxed and easy

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
No I loved it

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Plan within your budget. it is easy to get carried away!

Photographer: Old Pine Studios
Hairstylist: Kath Chidley
Venue Stylist: Wedding Delights
Venue: Cockliffe Country House

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Imogen

Sali Jones — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 05:28:00 +0000

Imogen and Cai married at Donginton Park Farmhouse in October 2024. Due to the registrar not being available at their chosen time, they had their legal ceremony super quick in the morning, in the middle of getting ready! They didn't want to have their whole day start really early so they did it their way - legal bit, back to finish getting ready, then celebrant led ceremony in front of all their family (including Ruby below!) and friends later - wahey! That way there was zero nerves and 100% fun - what more could you want?

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
The venue Donginton Park Farmhouse and my wedding dresser Sylvia who were amazing!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

I googled LGBT+ wedding suppliers.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Never considered doing my own, god no. Read on your website and insta and you looked right my vibe!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Fabulous very comfortable and just like having a chat with a friend.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Not at all. If I could have it on always.

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Fuck the expectations. Do you.

I just wanted to draw attention to two things from Imogen's little interview here.

Firstly, she googled LGBT+ suppliers and found me. This makes my soul sing! I'm a card carrying member of the LGBT+ community, and will 100% stand beside, behind, or in front of my trans siblings. I'll never speak for you, but I'll speak up for you in all scenarios - I'm here for you, and with you.

Secondly, Imogen's response to the question "Any advice for someone else getting married?" being "Fuck the expectations. Do you." I love this with all my heart. It's the perferct advice because after all, a wedding is celebrating you two - and only you. Your marriage is for the two of you - start that with just the two of you in mind, and fuck all the other expectations put upon you. That's not your shit to carry!

Photography: Rachel Burt Photography
Venue: Donington Park Farmhouse

Flowers: The Flower Room Nottingham

Styling: The Rustic Corner by Sylvia

DJ: Jackstar Weddings

Keeping Your Face Fresh On Your Wedding Day

Sali Jones — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:57:00 +0000

Your wedding day will be one of the longest days ever, and so you want and need your wedding makeup to hold up! This blog will tell you a few of the tips that will keep your face looking fresh all day and all night.

Preparation is key so before the big day, make sure you keep your skin hydrate. Hydrated skin means smooth makeup! Have a look at my skincare advice blog. Drink lots of water, use cleanser and moisturiser every day, and SPF every morning. Don’t try anything new in the four weeks before your wedding day; you don’t want to react to something! We’ll talk about your skincare at your trial, and if you’ve got any skincare questions, drop in my emails whenever you want. I’m always here to help!

On your wedding morning, I’ll be sure to moisturiser you and use a primer that suits your skin. Thin and light layers of makeup are what help longevity. We’ll use powder in strategic places and setting spray to keep things in place too. If it’s warm, we’ll do a few layers of setting spray.

You can also be assured that waterproof mascara and eyeliner are standard in my kit; as a professional makeup artist of over 14 years, I only have tried and tested products for wedding days!

I'll always include a small touch-up kit for my nearlywed to get you through the day, but you can upgrade to my Elite Touch up Kit. This is a luxury packet from me that has everything you could think of to get you through the day and well into the night! Grab yours from here.

If you've any questions about your wedding makeup longevity or want to talk about booking me for your wedding day, get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

Photos: Rebecca Emily
Venue: The West Mill
Flowers: Blossom Branch
Hair: Alla Moda Bridal
Dress: Veni Infantino Bridal

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Chloe

Sali Jones — Tue, 27 May 2025 05:32:00 +0000

Chloe and Sam married at Cockliffe Country House in September 2024. Surrounded by family, getting ready at her Mum's house in Cotgrave before moving to Cockliffe House, it was a morning full of giggles.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We got engaged on 13.11.24 and got married on 14.9.24. We spent just under 2 years planning

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

Derek McAllister Photography (couldn’t have asked for more) Everyones looking Rosie (incredible hair stylist and all round lovely person. Ms Moo (made me feel the prettiest I ever have and amazing at calming wedding nerves) and Matthew Scott Baking (Frontlinecakefine) my best friend and the best baker ever, his cakes and blondies were incredible!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Bridebook I think!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I loved your previous work and you came across so friendly in your emails, I knew I wanted you from the get go

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Perfect, I felt beautiful and more importantly- listened to

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Not a sausage!!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Small things are bound to go wrong or not exactly as you planned, but you honestly don’t mind- embrace the imperfections! It makes the day so much better! Also, soak in as much of the moment as you can, it is done so fast!

Photos: Derek McAllister Photography
Hair: Everyone's Looking Rosie
Venue: Cockliffe House

My Favourite False Eyelashes

Sali Jones — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:08:00 +0000

The variety in false eyelashes these days is overwhelming, as there are so many types and styles, so it can really come down to personal preference and individual needs as to what's best.

Like, where do you start? Here's a little breakdown for you.

Strip lashes - my personal favourites. These stay on better, as they hold to your lash line better, and I argue that they are more comfortable and easier to get used to. They can also be reused - when it comes to taking your lashes off, pop them around the side of a deodorant can or cylindrical foundation bottle, and you can reuse them as long as you clean them gently with some micellar water.

Individual lashes - applied one by one to your individual lashes, these can look natural, but are super fiddly and they will look odd when one falls off.

Cluster lashes - groups of individual lashes glued together at the base and applied to several natural lashes at once. Easier to apply than individuals, but quite difficult to apply yourself as you have to gauge where on your eye line to place them.

Magnetic lashes - these have got better over the years, as they used to be quite heavy, but some are now super light as they attach with a magnetic eyeliner. The eyeliner can be quite thick though, so apply it carefully!

Half lashes - still have a good amount of length, but are shorter in length along the lash line. Often called three-quarter lashes, they fit over the outer 3/4 of your eyelash line. Often a more natural choice.

DIY lash extensions - these come in a range of styles (and prices), but they are semi-permanent and often applied by a specific lash technician. You can get DIY lash extension kits to apply at home though!

Here are some of my favourites and why.

Eylure - 3/4 length in 008

Super sultry and fluttery eyelashes, these Eylure 3/4 lashes are fab for adding drama to your eye without the full wispie look. They are very comfortable, even for those not used to wearing lashes. Perfect for a bride or bridesmaid!

Ardell - Babies

I love these as they look super natural. Great for people with not a lot of lash, or just wanting to add a little length. They are gently fanned out, so they are great for regular use or special occasions. They are the lightest lashes, and practically weightless! Perfect for all-day wear.

Ardell - Naturals in 110

(false lashes)

My favourites for wanting to have the best natural lashes of your life. I go through these packets like you wouldn't believe! If you’ve got it, show it! These accentuate and enhance your natural lashes without any overwhelming thickness or weight. They honestly look like your lashes, but better!

Ardell - Demi Wispies

These signature Demi Wispies have been around for ages, and there's a reason they are a cult lash style. They look STUNNING. They have a narrow band still, but don't hold back on volume. The lashes have a bit of a crisscross pattern for medium volume, and a lovely curl to the end. They are perfect for giving your eyes extra oomph and drawing attention to them.

Ardell - Naked Lashes in 424

These flurry lashes add a super subtle volume and length, but certainly look more fake. They widen your eyes a little, without being overly dramatic - fab for a night out or day drinking, they are comfy AF.

Remember, whatever lashes you choose on your wedding day, I'll always recommend what I think is best. And you'll never have to pay extra for them! If someone is having their makeup done by me, you can have lashes for no extra charge.

Hannah's makeup lesson

Sali Jones — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:22:00 +0000

I used to work with Hannah back in the day at my desk job, and have kept in touch since. It was so lovely to hear from her in advance of her birthday, when she wanted to treat herself to a 1-2-1 lesson with me on her birthday to refresh her makeup skills.

She left me this lovely review :)

"I booked in with Sali for a 1 on 1 make up lesson on my birthday and honestly, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! I’ve never been super confident with makeup and found I just muddled through but after a few hours with Sali I actually understand what suits my face, and what doesn’t.

We had lots of opportunities to practice what she was teaching me which really helped, then a full breakdown email followed going through everything. It was perfectly timed as any birthday money went on all the new products I wanted to try - bonus of Sali sharing any discount codes she had.

Last time I went out someone asked me if I’d had my makeup done professionally - if that isn’t the best recommendation to get booked in with Sali for a lesson I’m not sure what is!"

So, when are you going to book in a lesson with me? Let's go through your makeup bag, work out what you love and don't, brush up your application skills and make sure the products in your kit are working for you.

https://www.msmoomakeup.com/lessons

Snap Beauty Lashes

Sali Jones — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:11:00 +0000

Snap Beauty lashes sent me some of their lashes to try a little while ago, and I used one set on a shoot that I sadly couldn't use the photos from. But I've found another pair recently when cleaning out my studio's lash collection, and they were going to be JUST what I needed for a model content day I was doing with Perfect Silhouette Hair!

It was super important to me when I agreed to test Snap Beauty lashes that they were cruelty-free and vegan, and they confirmed that they are.

I used their 02 lashes on Hannah, which are described as dramatic false lashes, particularly complementary to those with hooded eyes. We were going for a dramatic look with a really sleek finish to her hair, and a bold high fashion red lip, so these lashes paired beautifully.

The band is quite thick, so it applied beautifully over the top of the black winged eyeliner I did, but if you were going for a more natural look, the band would've shown up. That said, the lash applied really easily (using my trusty Eyelure glue and a pair of tweezers!) and went on super easy. Hannah also said they felt comfortable, which is always a bonus!

Here are two entirely unedited photos from me, and then two lightly edited photos that Robyn took. How great do the lashes look?! Super impressed. Thanks again, Snap Beauty!

Hair: Perfect Silhouette Hair
Model: Hannah from Bellamme Bridal
Dress: Bellamme Bridal
Lashes: Snap Beauty

Recycling at Boots

Sali Jones — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 02:46:00 +0000

Did you know you could recycle your old makeup at Boots? I didn't!

AND THEY'LL GIVE YOU BOOTS POINTS FOR THEM!

Just simply take along your empty beauty, health, wellness and dental products, from any brand, that can’t be recycled at home.

There is loads of stuff that can't be recycled at home, whether that's because of what they are made from or their size. So, Boots will reward you for recycling with them!

By recycling at least five eligible items and spending £10 or more, you'll receive 500 Advantage card points. This gives you £5.00!

So, what's an eligible item? Things like travel minis, composite materials (like palettes, lipsticks, and floss dispensers) or unrecyclable materials like toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes! Anything that could usually go in your regular recycling is excluded from the scheme, so nothing like shampoo or conditioner bottles or shower gel etc.

Things you also can't recycle, taken from the Boots FAQs: Aerosol cans, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles, permanent or temporary hair dyes in any type of packaging, brow and eyelash tints, safety razors and razor blades, disposable razors and razor heads, used PPE (disposable masks, gloves and visors), blister packs and foils, any electrical items such as hairdryers and straighteners, any medical devices, electrical or not, food packaging of any type, including crisp packets.

You can also recycle your blister packs from tablets, which I'm currently collecting a lot of! I can't wait to take them to Boots; I'll take you with me when I do :)

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Amy

Sali Jones — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:50:00 +0000

I met the lovely Amy in November 2021 when she was having a photoshoot with my lovely pal Tigz Rice. I wasn't doing the makeup, I was there just assisting Tigz but we got on great and had a good chinwag! We kept in touch on social media and when her and Jakob got engaged, she slid in my DMs to ask if I'd travel to Windsor to do her wedding makeup!

Amy and Jakob married in October 2023 in the chapel at Royal Holloway, University of London. Their reception was at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor, and as well as having me on makeup she had the lovely Sarah from Pin Up Curl for her hair!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We got engaged on 15th July 2022 and married on 28th October 2022! I planned for about 14 months (although really I had been planning it for about 2 decades...)

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
I first found our photographer, the amazing Gabrielle McMillan Photography, before we even got engaged! She was one of the first suppliers we booked, along with our ceremony venue - the beautiful Victorian chapel at Royal Holloway, University of London. You have to be alumni to get married there, but it's so beautiful I'd suggest picking your uni choices based on it...

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I had already met you through the wonderful Tigz Rice!!!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I considered doing my own makeup briefly, which would have been a disaster. I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking! I booked you as I already knew from meeting you before and from following you on Instagram that you were someone who would not stress me out on the morning of the wedding! I also love your makeup style and I like that your website is colourful!!! So many bridal makeup websites are soulless!!!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
It was great and really fun! Finding the perfect makeup look seemed super easy!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Definitely not!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Don't feel pressure to follow the bridal trends - do what you want to do!

"Sali did my makeup for my wedding in October, alongside the makeup of my two bridesmaids! Our makeup looked amazing and lasted all day. I felt like the best version of myself, rather than looking like someone completely different.

Sali is a wonderful person to have around on the morning of your wedding. She is easy to get along with and is great to have a laugh with. She is also a calming presence when the panic sets in! She goes beyond doing makeup and also acts as a therapist, and a shoe doer-upper!

I also had a makeup lesson with Sali this weekend, which was so informative. I've learnt a lot and can't wait to try out my new skills."

Photos: Gabrielle McMillan Photography
Dress: Eliza Jane Howell
Custom Headpiece: The Lucky 6 Pence
Veil: Blossom & Bluebird
Hair: Pin Up Curl

International Womens Day 2025 - The Spark Company

Sali Jones — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:34:00 +0000

For this year's International Women's Day, I wanted to draw attention to the brilliant company The Spark Company. I'm not being paid to write this blog but there are some ad aff links, which I'll make a little money on if you purchase something via one of their links!

I've got quite a collection of The Spark Company tshirts now, and often wear them at trials or sometimes on wedding mornings. As photographed here on Heather's wedding morning by Ed Godden. I think it's quite ironic as a makeup artist that I don't wear makeup when I'm working, and yet I *am* still radiant and will fight anyone who thinks or dares to say otherwise!

- Everything is ethically made and vegan - no sweatshops, no child labour. They use vegan dyes and are often printed to order, so there's no waste in thousands of products being made and then wasted.

- Biodegradable packaging is standard; they aren't about to start being a dick to the planet. They have a zero waste policy too!

- Every purchase includes a donation to Bloody Good Period; a charity who gets period products to those who can't afford or access them.

- They love and support the trans community. Enough said.

- Most products are a unisex fit so you can size down if you prefer more slim fitted looks, or size up if you’re after baggier and oversized styles.

- They offer UK Size 6-26, with plans to increase their ranges. As a UK26, I wear the 3XL tshirts and they fit great without being too tight. There's ample space in the bust, in the arms (which come down to above my elbow, no cutting into my biceps) and the tshirts are LONG so they cover my butt!

My new favourites and on my wish list are the three below! I'm a sucker for a black tshirt too, so yes, I'd get all three in black.

- Inspired by Gisele Pelicot, the Shame Must Change Sides tshirt is iconic for 2025. All profits from sales of this t-shirt will be donated to DV charities.

- Diet culture has been created to keep women small and keep their minds on how they look rather than how they act, so I love this Riots Not Diets tshirt. We should be incited to riot.

- To couple with my I Am Fucking Radiant shirt, I want the I'm Not Perfect But I'm Pretty Fucking Close t-shirt. The pink of the flower is perfect to match my hair too!

Let me know which of their products is your favourite and if you own any products from The Spark Company already.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Caroline

Sali Jones — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 04:43:00 +0000

Caroline and Dave married in September 2024 at Carr Bank in Mansfield, with their fur baby George (just between them!) looking on. A lover of metal music, summer festivals, and a pint or two we had a cracking laugh at her trial, putting together the plan for her wedding makeup. Not afraid of colour or being bold, Caz was set on a 1920's style of makeup, with dark eyes and dark lips. We smashed it!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Got engaged in December 2022, and got married on 20/09/2024. Took 19 months to plan the wedding.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

Chose my wedding dress first from Cherished Wedding Boutique on 4th Feb. Had a 2 hour appointment where I was able to try on a variety of dresses and styles; was able to have family and friends with me, which the appointment even better. They were also honest in giving their opinion of which style they felt suited me. Because I signed up during a wedding fair at the venue, as able to get a good discount as well.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Google, looked for wedding make up artists in the Nottingham area.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

I chose you as I liked the reviews from previous brides, and loved the different styles of makeup on your Instagram page. Did not consider doing my own make up, as doing my own make up is not a strength of mine, as I only tend to wear makeup when I go out.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

Loved it. You put me at ease, and were able to advise and recommend different colours, that would complement me and my skin tone. You were very easy to chat to and thoroughly enjoyed the trial appointment.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nothing at all, it was perfect and made me feel a million dollars.

Any advice for someone else getting married?

To relax and enjoy the day. Don’t stress yourself out. Would highly recommend Sali as a wedding makeup artist!!

"Securing Sali as my make up artist for my wedding was my dream come true!! She was amazing from start to finish, from my make up trial to the actual big day!! Sali make me look and feel like a million dollars, which was key for me, as I can sometime lack confidence. On the day she was so professional, and kept my nerves at bay by making me laugh. I cannot recommend Sali highly enough!! Thank you again for making my wedding day so perfect!! 😄"

Photographer: Ryan Hall Photography
Hair: Everythings Looking Rosie
Venue: Carr Bank

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Ellie

Sali Jones — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:59:00 +0000

Ellie and Louis got married in May 2024 on a bright sunny day, getting ready at her Mum's Wollaton home before going to St Andrew's church at Castle Gate with their reception at the gorgeous Holme Pierrepont Hall. Ellie had a great group of long-standing friends as her bridesmaids, and they all properly looked out for each other on the wedding morning.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We got engaged in February 2023 and we got married in May 2024, so it took us just over a year to plan the wedding.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
We booked our venue first, as soon as we visited Holme Pierrepont we knew it would be perfect for us! We also booked Nathan Walker who took our wonderful photos.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I googled "wedding makeup artists in Nottingham". I was won over by all the wonderful reviews!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I considered doing my own makeup, but then realised it would be best left to a professional, since I don't wear much makeup day to day, and am no good at doing things under time pressure! I really liked the way all the brides on your website had their own beautiful and unique look, you can tell you really listen to what people want rather than just doing a standard makeup look for everyone.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
I really enjoyed the trial! I brought my mum along with me, as she was quite nervous about getting her makeup done. You made us both feel super relaxed, and really listened to what we wanted. I couldn't believe how nice the makeup looked!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nothing at all, I really felt like a beautiful version of myself. It also lasted so well through the whole day (and a lot of happy tears).

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Book Sali to do your makeup! Honestly having a hair and makeup artist (Moira Borg did our hair and she was amazing too) made the morning so much more relaxing for me and the bridal party. Sali will keep everything organised and stress-free and you will look amazing. Otherwise - just soak it all in and enjoy a really special day, celebrating you and your partner.

Dress: Andrea Hawkes
Photographer: Nathan Walker Photography
Hair: Moira Borg
Reception venue: Holme Pierrepont
Flowers: Elder and Wild

"Sali was an absolute pleasure to work with and I couldn't have been happier with my wedding makeup. She listened to what I wanted and made sure I was 100% happy at every step. It's a bit of cliche, but she really made me look and feel like the best version of myself. My Mum and bridesmaids were also really happy with their makeup and they all looked stunning.
Sali was a warm and friendly presence on the morning of the wedding. She was super organised with timings, so everything felt relaxed and there was plenty of time to make adjustments and touch-ups. She kept everyone calm and waited with us for a late taxi, even offering to give us a lift to the church if it didn't turn up. Thank you Sali!"

Best of 2024

Sali Jones — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:08:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a round up of the year? Here are some gorgeous clients over 2024 that trusted me for their wedding makeup! As we're now in 2025, I'm in my 14th year of doing makeup and I've now tipped into having been part of 400 wedding mornings - how awesome is that?!

I did Anna and Abbie's makeup early in 2024 when a fellow makeup artist was poorly. I did Anna's makeup without having had a trial, but I saw her trial photos. She made a couple of changes to feel more herself and how she would usually do her own makeup - which is actively encouraged! I want you to recognise you in your wedding photos and when you look in the mirror.

Abbie got married at The West Mill and came to me for a trial two days before her wedding, just to make sure we absolutely nailed it, and I think we did!

Sarah's wedding to Barrie was at Morley Hayes, and she had Moira Borg as her hairstylist. I love being able to recommend people from my suppliers list. It's because they are great at their job AND fun to be around on a wedding morning that I recommend them! Sarah's photo was captured by Martin Cheung Photography, and Hannah's photo was by Saywell HQ - two photographers on my recommended list!

Yvette changed her eyeshadow plans a little between her trial with me and her wedding. We had gone for a smoky pink eye and she decided she wanted brighter gold instead - so we changed it up! That's entirely allowed on your wedding day, just be sure to tell me; if you tell me I can change anything.

Toria came to me with a very clear vision of what she wanted at her trial, so we replicated it on the day, including the incredible red lipstick; we used Fenty's Stunna lip paint in "Uncensored". I'll always give you a little top up of your lipstick on your wedding day, but if it's a colour you really fall in love with then I'll find you discount codes to purchase yourself the full sized one. You deserve a treat!

Ellie doesn't wear a lot of makeup but wanted her blue eyes to stand out. Fresh and glowy skin with gold and bronze tones - big win. Another wedding where I got to work with the lovely Moira Borg again too!

Jade was a joy to get ready for her wedding! I sort of knew her from back at my old desk job, so it was really nice to catch up at her trial. She's known for her bold beautiful brows and winged eyeliner, so we did exacty that and added in princessy sparkly pink eyeshadow. There's a gorgeous shadow called Jubiliance which is just the most perfect rose gold. I love it!

Alice married at the wonderful Hodsock Priory, and also wanted a big wispy lash with a red lip. Another vote for the Fenty Stunna lip paint here - it's got a glorious richness, which really complemented the warm tones we went for on her eyes.

Mai had two weddings days; and why the heck not? 2024 certainly saw more and more nearlyweds doing things exactly how they wanted, and I'm 100% here for it. Mai and Adam had the legal part of their wedding the week before their gorgeous wedding reception at Prestwold Hall, and then partied hard with all their friends and family. She and her two sisters came to me for a trial before the wedding to make sure everything went smoothly on the day. Another lovely morning spent with Moira too!

Rebecca was probably the most chilled out bride of all 2024! She was not a makeup wearer or dress wearer usually, but really wanted to surprise her wife to be with the "wow" factor when she walked down the aisle at Bridgford Hall! I was mindful during her trial that I didn't want her to feel alien on the big day, so we kept it super light on the skin and then added more and more tweakments. We had just the HINT of pink lipstick on for her to go down the aisle, and she wasn't too worried about it wearing off. There was partying to be done!

Hazel was wanting silvery sparkly eye with a rich lipstick as her dress had hints of purple from Euriell Vaire Creations and she had a GORGEOUS headdress to wear that was VERY sparkly. A sneaky little eyeliner wing is my favourite, as you can see ;)

Here's Chloe's makeup who wanted fresh skin and rose gold tones for her eyes. That barely there skin makeup is my jam! She married at the lovely Cockliffe House after getting ready at her Mum's house; another morning with the babe that is Everything's Looking Rosie!

Next up we have my two Caroline's, both marrying within a week of each other! Caz married at Carr Bank in Mansfield and wanted a more 20's vintage look, with a plummier lipstick. It was lovely as ever to work with Everyone's Looking Rosie who was on hairstyling duties! My second lovely Caroline married at The Cosy Club in Nottingham with perfect waves by Pin Up Curl. We kept to rosey colours on her face which ties in perfectly with her rose tan dress from Celestine and Mae!

Georgia married her partner at Chapel on the Hill in Kimberley after getting ready at The Lace Market hotel, before partying the night away at The Canal House. Isn't that head dress stunning?!

Helen married at Stretton Manor Barn - a new venue for me to visit in 2024! She got ready with her wedding party at a nearby pub in Wooley Moor. Venues with lots of natural light for getting ready are my favourites.

Katy and Deane married at The Space Centre - how cool is that! Katy wanted big bold colours for her makeup as she was wearing a huge black dress, with a really colourful button bouquet. It was a colourful chaos getting her and the gang ready for her wedding day, but it was perfect. I can't wait to see their official photos from Kirsty Rockett (aptly named!)

Katie married at The West Mill

Clare and Chloe both got married the week before Christmas, and booked me well over 12 months in advance of their wedding days. I'd done Clare's makeup when her cousin got married, so it was so lovely to meet all her family again and get them ready together. Deja vu is good! Chloe

Ali was my last wedding of the year, and was booked with the least amount of notice! It was lovely to get her ready at The Lace Market hotel, with her husband Ben milling around, the atmosphere was super relaxed. What a lovely way to end the year!

Trans Makeup Lessons

Sali Jones — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 03:33:00 +0000

I've been teaching 1-2-1 makeup lessons well over 10 years ago now! Whether you're a beginner looking to master the basics, or an experienced makeup lover wanting to refine your techniques - my 1-2-1 makeup lessons offer personalised guidance tailored just for you!

I've taught a number of trans clients too, and it's a great source of pride for me that the trans community hold me in high regard and trust me with teaching them. In a world filled with tutorials and beauty advice, nothing compares to the benefit of personalised instruction - especially when you're learning for the first time about your face, what you like about makeup, and how it makes you feel!

Unlike following a youtube tutorial, my lessons allow real-time feedback. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions too; there's no silly questions in my studio!

Bring whatever makeup you have with you, and we'll review it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly! Whatever isn't serving you anymore can be relegated to the big makeup bag in the sky, and you'll get a PDF document with links to product recommendations, discount codes I've accumulated that you can use, and detailed notes for you to come back to when you're doing your makeup on your own.

Here's Nic's review of having a lesson with me. Nic describes themslves as "your gender fluid auntie"; check out her instagram to see her talking about style, fashion, mental health, and navigating life as a queer person.

"Hey! Last week I had my first professional 1 to 1 makeup lesson with the wonderful Sali from @msmoo_makeup. I've been doing my own makeup for years now, though this has been a bit of a hodgepodge of this I've learned from friends, from YouTube and experimentation. Recently I've struggled a bit to find the right colour base, as well as thinking my routine is basically the same as in 2016 so wanted to update it.
Sali has a private studio in town, I went there with my kit and brushes. We went through what I most wanted to learn, and went through the products I had to see what I felt was working for me and any areas I needed help with. My main one was stubble coverage, I found it was a bit cakey round there especially with a heavier foundation. Turns out I was using a shade a bit too orange and I could use far less product!
Sali showed my some great tips with how to apply product, as well as suggested order for doing things. I felt much more confident at the end and couldn't wait to try out some new looks.
Even better, she sent me some notes at the end summarising the lesson, as well as links to products with some discount codes!
If you've not had a 1-1 lesson before I'd highly recommend it, I've found it's actually simplified my routine, I wear less product and feel like I'm entering a new makeup era! Sali is lovely too, a true ally to the LGBT+ community and was great fun to spend time with."

Ready to start your makeup transformation? My lessons are conducted in-person in Hockley, Nottingham; allowing you to experience a hands-on, engaging learning environment. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or simply wish to boost your everyday makeup game, I’m here to guide you every step of the way!

Review of 2024

Sali Jones — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:30:00 +0000

Happy Christmas eve everyone!

This year was a whirlwind of creativity and growth. I successfully completed 35 weddings, 39 makeovers, and 26 1-2-1 lessons - nearly 300 faces will have been made over before the end of the year!! I also had the privilege of working on an advert for Heaven Media, and working with the wonderful Megan Crook, for Get Crooked and Megan Crook Textiles.

The positive feedback and testimonials from clients are always incredibly motivating, and I treasure my reviews. I also focused on expanding my skill set by attending a MyKitCo masterclass earlier this month in Stockport, and got to see on hand from James Molloy new products and techniques for improving my makeup application! It was so good that I've already booked to go back next December!

I also did two in-person markets with Small Business Takeover with my MooDoodlesUK products. I was honoured to be asked by Robyn to do makeup for her signature collection photoshoot at the gorgeous Stubton Hall. I also took part in the Unconventional Wedding Fair at Nottingham University.

Personally I've had some great successes too; I've been to six Wrexham matches, and attended a charity dinner in aid of the Wrexham Miners Project. I've seen Daniel Sloss, James Acaster, Romesh Ranganathan, Sofie Hagen, Dawn French, Rachel Parris, Nish Kumar, Glenn Moore, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Rhod Gilbert live in concert! I also got to go the Forest Ground for the first time ever in over 18 years of living here to see Take That live. I can't believe I've never been!

I've also never been to the Nottingham Open, but attended back in June and got to see Heather Watson, Katie Boulter, and Harriet Dart. I also went to see The Horne Section, and got to be on stage with Alex Horne for a game! They sang Chinese five spice and I won a jar as a consolation prize from them. I was lucky to have two lovely holidays with Niall too, in Woolacombe and Salou. We celebrated 10 years together in May!

While there were some challenges, such as being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and a family member dealing with cancer, I learned valuable lessons from these experiences. I need to step back and take control of my rest time, before my body decides when that time is! I also need to downsize my admin, so I'll be looking into customer management systems early in 2025.

For the coming year, I'd like to launch online makeup lessons. There are plenty of people out there who aren't able to get to Nottingham for an in-person lesson that would still love to learn from me, so I need to put myself out there! I'm excited to continue growing my business and sharing my passion for makeup artistry with my clients, so I hope to see you all in 2025 - all the best to you and yours for the festive period, and the coming year.

Thank you for all your support and love.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Sammy

Sali Jones — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:41:00 +0000

Sammy and Tim's said their I do's and got married on the last day of me being 37 in 2024! Marrying at a church local to Sammy's parents house, they had their wedding reception at Tim's family house with a tipi in the garden for their reception. In their garden, Tim has a massive double decker bus which has been quite the feature in Sammy and Tim's courtship back in the day, when as a young group of pals they'd hang out and have it as their den! They've been working on doing it up for sometime, especially before the wedding. Sammy was kind enough to answer some questions for me recently so I could feature her wedding on my blog!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Got engaged in September 2022 and married July 2024 so 22 months

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!

Wedding venue was first to get the date confirmed.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.

Found on Hitched app.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?

Reviews were really positive and the images of previous clients matched what I was looking for. I am rubbish at doing my own makeup so never considered doing myself.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?

Amazing, you are just so easy to be around and talk to and you made me look amazing! You're on my wave length of humor too so had a good laugh too.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

No, I looked amazing! As did the bridal party and my Mum, we've all raved about it since the wedding

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Just enjoy the day and try to take it all in.

"If you want a make up artist that will make you look and feel confident and amazing and also have a great laugh then Sali is the one for you. She made me look and feel beautiful and we had such a laugh on the trial and the morning of my wedding. All morning there was laughing coming from the room she was in. My bridesmaids, Mum and myself all said how amazing we felt and how beautiful we all looked. Would highly recommend Sali, she was attentive and listened to what I wanted, as someone who doesn't wear makeup often she helped me pick the right look for my wedding day."

Photographer: Steve Smailes Photography
Hair: BridalHairBySharon
Dress: TDR Bridal
Marquee: Elite Event Hire
Band/DJ: The Mesh Band
Cake: Ruby Lou's Cakes
Bouquet/Buttonholes: Glen Esk
Florals: Tim's Mum

Christmas Present Ideas 2024

Sali Jones — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:30:00 +0000

Following my Christmas Beauty Gift List last week, here's my regular gift list! Lots of great small businesses, and other recommendations from me from over the course of the year that I think you'll enjoy!

LittleMissDelicious - Christmas Pudding Garland
I've coveted this cute Christmas pudding garland since Maxine released it! How adorable?! There are garland designs for all the seasons and holidays, but this one is my favourite. Followed by the ice creams, oh! and the pumpkins. And the bats! Oh, you get the idea!

The Badass Collective - Born To Be Badass t-shirt
Katt creates so many wonderful clothing designs for kids and parents alike, and I love her Badass Mumma range! My favourite at the moment is her Born To Be Badass t-shirt, which I've linked above. Katt's a twin mama so she's got plenty of items in the store for your twin babbas too.

StationeryaddictCo - Silver Snowflake Washi Tape
I love this silver snowflake washi tape! It'd be beautiful for wrapping Christmas presents in. There are lovely little sticker notes too, perfect for students making lots of notes.

Spark Company - If You Are Not Angry You Are Not Paying Attention T-Shirt
I think I've got five t-shirts from Spark, and I'll be absolutely getting more. The quality is great, but the sentiments are EXACTLY my frame of mind and sense of humour!

Get Crooked - Reversible Fleece & Velvet Snood in Rainbow Stripe
I've worked with Megan on both Get Crooked and Megan Crook Textiles, and her shop in Sneinton Avenues is just the most joyous explosion of colour! Slow fashion is absolutely something I can get behind, especially when it's so very well made and made to last. Their ethical standpoint of using up scraps to create more amazing pieces from their collections is brilliant too.

Square Peg Apparel - Round Neck Dresses
You'll have likely seen me wearing one of these dresses from Square Peg Apparel - they are so comfy! Literally made to measure, and I can choose from several fantastically colourful fabrics. Maddie always puts in pockets too and can have a variety of lengths and sleeve lengths too. I'll be ordering more for next year!

Campfire and Compass - Jackdaw Bird Claw Necklace
Riley is such a talented jewellery maker. I love his ethical standpoints in creating jewellery too, so that nothing goes to waste. Items such as the fox tooth earrings or this bird claw necklace are ethical AF; no animal parts are retained in the casting, yet it has SO much detail.

Katherine Ryan - The Audacity: Why Being Too Much Is Exactly Enough
Whilst it's not a new book, The Audacity by Katherine Ryan is one of the best I've read this year. I've cried laughing at it! Can't wait to finally see Katherine live next February.

Molton Brown - Milk Musk Eau de Toilette
An absolute favourite perfume of mine for the winter - yes, the price tag is off-putting, but holy moly; it's so gorgeous, and truly smells decadent. I'd love to find this under my tree this year!

NutmegandArlo - If you can't be kind, be quiet pin
This pin does the talking! NutmegandArlo has some lovely pins and stickers, and gorgeous little notebooks. If you're after stocking fillers that pack a punch, they are the place to look.

HelensCrossing - Serial Killer Cross Stitch Kit
As a late 30's millennial, you better believe that I love watching true crime documentaries in my down time, so love the sentiment of this hoop. If anyone takes the joy of doing them, I'd be happy to pay you to do it for me!

elouisemakes - Stirling Silver Cat Pin
I have one of my very own Sterling silver cat pins from Elouise Makes! Rosie is such a talented artist and has ran ElouiseMakes alongside other incredibly creative ventures since 2018. Always made from recycled silver, her creations are truly a joy when you know they've been made responsibly and with sustainable practices.

sugarandvicedesigns - Holly statement necklace
I'm a bit biased with Sugar and Vice as I used to work as a social media manager for them a few years ago, so I know a lot of their jewellery pieces inside out. I've seen their collections up close too as I used to do makeup on their photoshoots, and the Christmas pieces are always so fun. I love this holly necklace, and there are matching brooches if you're so inclined!

CharlotteThomsonArt - Hippy Rock Chick Art Print A4
Charlotte creates art with a variety of different body shapes and sizes, as there's no 'default' body! It's pretty fucking special to see my own body type reflected in beautiful pieces of art, where you can look at it and go "that's gorgeous!". I particularly love this hippy rock chick, reminding us that we are magical.

LyonAndFeather - Rose Quartz Keyring
Tash makes some incredibly delicate jewellery at super affordable prices, and I've just bought myself a little Citrine keyring. While my hands and job aren't made for delicate rings, I still covet them!

Christmas Beauty Gift Ideas 2024

Sali Jones — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 04:02:00 +0000

We are all feeling the cost of living the last 18-24 months, and no more so than at Christmas! So I'm back again with my Christmas Gift guide for all beauty lovers, but breaking it down into price guides and aiming more at the great stocking fillers.

Under a tenner

The Body Shop Vitamin E Sheet Mask - £6.00

I love this vitamin E mask. Suitable for all skin times, it hydrates the skin intensely for around 24 hours and leaves your skin feeling super soft. Top tip - keep one in the fridge for when you need perking up! The cold feels flippin' lovely when you've been rushing round like a nutter or after a super hot shower/bath.

Reusable Cotton buds - £7.99

The only cotton buds you'll ever need again! Brilliant for the eco-concious, as the silicone swabs are washable. Four different ends too, depending on what you need it for.

Caroline Hirons - Skincare; the no nonsense guide book - £8.99

Fab book for teens or adults wanting to learn more about skincare, what does what, and what's really needed to look after your skin! Funny and straight talking, it's a great read for all.

The Inkey List - Hydrocollid Invisable Patches - £6.75

These have been a life saver for me this year. Pop them over a spot that's coming up (you know those ones under the surface that feel like hell is going to erupt), day or night, and it'll stop you physically touching it but it'll also allow the Hydrocolloid and Salisylic acid get to work on nuking the spot. It'll withdraw all the gunk inside it so you can peel it off, clean the area and reapply a new one if you're a picker/toucher.

Under £30.00

VE Cosmetics - The Lovers eyeshadow palette; Limited Edition! - £20.00

There's probably not going to be many of these left now they are reduced from £30.00 to £20.00, but the colours at phenomenal. If you love a little colour in your eyeshadow or want to start experiementing with some, this palette is the one to get. I love VE Cosmetics, and you should too - they are a 'small' brand who're really on the up without compromising their ethics and integrity. Get 10% off using my code, MSMOO.

Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Mini Lip Kit - £29.00

A mini of the iconic Pillow Talk lipstick, matching lip liner, and collagen lip bath. The lipstick is beautiful and suits 90% of people I've put it on! The collagen lip bath is a great gloss too, and really feels like it's doing something good to your lips when you're wearing it. If you're a new customer, use my code "msmoomakeupFA4HF" to give yourself 15% off.

Ms Moo Make Up - Bridal Eyes II eyeshadow palette - £21.00

Reduced down from £28.00 to £21.00, I'd be a daftie not to include my very own vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palette. Buttery eyeshadows in a mix of shimmer and matte, with my signature hot pink! The price includes UK postage too. Winner!

Real Techniques eyeshadow brush set - £13.00

Often reduced down from the price of £19.99, this eyeshadow brush set is one I'll buy again and again. All synthethic brushes so no nasty animal hairs are used, and the quality is FANTASTIC.

Under £60.00

The Body Shop Nourish & Flourish Mango Big Gift Bag - £40.00

This looks so lush, I'm hoping for one of these myself! I'm always complimented on my mango hand gel when I'm doing people's makeup which they sadly don't do anymore, even though I bought shit loads of it! This pack includes a mango shower gel, body butter, body mist, hand balm, and floofy bath lily for body scrubbing. Flippin' perfect! There's a coconut version or shea butter version if you're not a mango fan.

Charlotte Tilbury - Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek set - £46.00

A little pricier than the lip kit I previously mentioned, but if your budget stretches, I'd get this one. The Plumpgasm has a lush feeling on your lips and the beauty light wand is pretty iconic for makeup lovers everywhere. It gives a super soft illuminating colour to your skin. If you're a new customer, use my code "msmoomakeupFA4HF" to give yourself 15% off.

Illamasqua Define and Shimmer Kit - £52.13

This little trio doesn't often come up as a set, so I was quite surprised to see this listing on Look Fantastic. I use the Beyond Primer very similarly the Flawless Filter, but sparingly as it's so shimmery. The OMG highlighter is one I recommend to loads of people - it comes up the most lovely golden colour, and then the Silhouette contour combines perfectly. Such a good combo, snap it up!

Urban Decay's Limited Edition Naked eyeshadow palette revival - £55.00

Let me tell you that makeup artists everywhere rejoiced at the news UD were bringing this eyeshadow palette back. A gorgeous iconic neutral palette with soft shadows, perfect for bridesmaids everywhere and a staple in my kit with how easy it is to blend. I'm so pleased it's back, even if it's not for a long while!

Over £60.00

REN Clean Skincare The Party Trio - £64.80

Another Look Fantastic exclusive, making all three hard hitting items from REN Skincare £64.80 instead of £108.00! INCREDIBLE PRICE. I flippin' love this eye cream and glow tonic. The jelly cleanser removes ALL makeup, super easily and is your one stop shop for removing makeup super easily. Grab a reuseable face pad and let it melt away your face! The tonic is exfoliating leaving your skin looking refreshed and bright, and the eye cream helps to reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Edit - £90.00

I spoke about these Hourglass palettes recently on my newsletter (sign up at the bottom of here!) and how much I love them. They are the most amount of money I've ever spent on a single makeup item. But just look at those colours! They are buttery to apply too, and give the most beautiful finish on all skin tones. If you love glow; you'll love this!

Charlotte Tilbury's 12 Door Beauty Advent Calendar - £170.00

I'm not one for a lot of beauty advent calendars, mostly as I can't often find ones that are entirely cruelty-free! But this one is, and I'm 100% here for it! So many beautiful items, and at such a great price. If you were to purchase them all individually, you'd be paying £290.00. So grab this while it's available and treat yourself! If you're a new customer, use my code "msmoomakeupFA4HF" to give yourself 15% off; but be quick!

Ms Moo Make Up 1-2-1 Make Up Lesson - £185.00

I couldn't do this gift guide without telling you about my 1-2-1 lessons! Got all the gear but no idea? Want to revamp your makeup look but no idea where to start? Grab yourself a voucher for a 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me! Bring your makeup bag to me and we'll go through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We'll go through what skills you've already got and 'brush up' on new application tips and product recommendations I can give you that are tailored to you. All vouchers will be valid until 1 July 2025 if bought before the end of 2024.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Caitlin

Sali Jones — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:24:00 +0000

Caitlin & Kelsea got married in October 2023 in the most gorgeous autumnal styled wedding I've ever seen. Ever! Marrying at the wonderful Hodsock Priory, the trees and leaves surrounding the venue were just the most perfect colour ever, coupled with the stunning jewel toned bouquet, matching Caitlin's bridesmaids dresses, AND Kelsea's tailored wedding suit in the most sumptuous deep dark velvet. LUUUUSH. Read more here...

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We got engaged on 11.07.2021 & married on 30.10.2023 - so it took just over 2 years for us to plan it.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Firstly we booked our lovely venue Hodsock Priory in Blyth, Nottingham. Secondly, we booked our wonderful photographer Maddie Farris. Thirdly, we booked hair & makeup - Hair by the fabulous Lydia Hopkins & makeup by the marvellous Ms Moo Makeup!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I found you through Google, as I was specifically searching for vegan & cruelty free makeup artists in the Nottingham area.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I didn't consider doing my own makeup. I don't really do anything other than basic makeup in my day-to-day life, so I wanted to feel a bit fancy! The fact that you only use vegan & cruelty free makeup was also a massive reason why I chose you - as well as stalking your Instagram!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Absolutely amazing! You were so friendly & instantly made me feel at ease!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
I would not have changed anything at all! My makeup was perfect!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

We had a sweetheart table for the wedding breakfast. This was partly due to the fact that my parents don’t get along & it was simpler to not have a top table. However, I would encourage anyone getting married to consider a sweetheart table! It was lovely to be able to sit down with my wife and debrief about the day so far, just us two.

Photographer: Maddie Farris Photography
Wedding dress: Needle & Thread London

Wedding suit: Carl Stuart Tailors

Bridesmaid dresses: Elizabeth Reuben

Hair: Lydia Hopkins Hair

Flowers: Robyn @ Studio Bloom
Venue: Hodsock Priory

Caitlin's Google review:

"I cannot begin to describe how amazing Sali was on my wedding day! She was lovely & chatty, always cracking jokes and telling me to remember to breathe. She was a calming presence in the midst of the wedding prep. She made all my bridesmaids and me look spectacular! I could not ask for a better makeup artist, if you’re considering booking her, do it! You will not be disappointed!
As I had quite a big bridal party, she brought along her wonderful friend Adele to split the workload. They worked like troopers and I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work 🧡"

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Emma

Sali Jones — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 06:47:00 +0000

Emma got married in August 2021 at The Gilstrap, the Newark Registration Office. While we had some worries early in 2021 as to if the wedding would go ahead or not (pesky COVID!) she managed to keep her wedding date as planned and partied hard. Emma's not a big makeup person, and wanted a super light look that freshened her up.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged October 2019, Married 17th August 2021. Planned for just over 1 year.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
You and my hairdresser - Sally at The Dollshouse, Wollaton.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I was recommended to you by my friend Jo Coleby.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I booked you because I hardly ever wear make up and had absolutely no idea where to begin! I just knew I wanted as natural look as possible and I was told by my friend that this is something you would be able to do. I checked out your website and saw all the wonderful work you had done in the past and got in touch.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
The make up trial was fun. I didn't really know what to expect but you really put me at ease and listened to exactly what I wanted to achieve for my wedding day look. You also gave me great advice for getting my skin ready for the day.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Not a thing! I still love looking at the photos now! I look so different yet so me!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Plan and book as much as you can as soon as possible and have a back up in mind for every supplier just in case to save stress later. Use second hand sites for bits and bobs and reuse items to save on money and ask friends and family to lend a hand. Most of all, enjoy the day - it really does just fly by faster than you can blink!

"I booked Sali to do my bridal make-up after being recommended to her services by a friend. As a general non make-up wearer, I relied on Sali for suggestions on what sort of make-up would be suitable and advice on preparing my skin for the day.
Sali is an absolute professional at her work and has a wonderful personality which made it easy for me to tell her what I wanted and she was then able to provide the look that I wanted to achieve.
On the day of the wedding, Sali arrived on time and not only made me look the best version of myself ever (I had so many compliments from my friends and family!) but also stayed on to help me get ready in my dress. She also left me with a little bag of tricks to help me through the day including tissues and extra lipstick, which came in very handy! Sali went above and beyond to make sure that I was ready for my wedding day and for that I will be forever grateful to her.
I highly recommend Sali for all your make-up needs!
Thank you! "

Looking to book you 2025 wedding makeup? Get in touch! Ill be opening my 2026 diary in October this year.

Photographer: Friend of the couple
Hair: Sally at The Dolls House, Wollaton
Venue: The Gilstrap, the Newark Registration Office

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Louise

Sali Jones — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 05:39:00 +0000

Louise and Luke got married in Elvaston Castle in September 2019. You might have already seen some photos from their wedding day on my blog here, and you'll also recognise Louise from my interview with her as Kickass Gatherings. She very kindly answered my interview questions and so I wanted to share them here, and more images from her gorgeous day! One of the smiliest brides ever, and she also had my lovely vintgae hair pal Sarah from Pin Up Curl on styling duties.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Engaged on Boxing Day 2017, married September 2019, so about 21 months.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Venue (Elvaston Castle) then hair (Pin Up Curl) and makeup (you!)

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Previous makeup loveliness at a styled shoot

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Because I knew what you could do! Also good reputation and reviews. Never considered doing my own.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Loved it, you nailed it first time!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nope

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Book a humanist celebrant 😜 and have Sali do your makeup!

"Sali did my makeup for my Sep 2019 wedding. She was great - so friendly and easy to chat to. She uses high-quality ethical products and was really helpful in my trial when I couldn't pick a lip colour! On the day she was so calming and reassuring and even helped one of my bridesmaids through a lash disaster. Highly recommended."

One of the other brucie bonuses of booking me as your wedding makeup artist is that you get discounted 1-2-1 makeup lessons and makeovers for life. So many previous wedding clients love coming to me after they've got married to recreate their wedding face, or learn how to do their makeup better. I flippin' love it coz I get to see you again and chat about everything that happened on your wedding day! Here's Louise's review for the lesson;

"Sali gave me a 1 on 1 makeup lesson and I found it so useful. She showed me how to work with products I already have, but also gave recommendations and colour matched me for other products when I asked her to. She used a combination of different methods to teach me the best ways and places to apply things, and never made me feel like I was doing anything wrong because 'there are no makeup police!' :-D"

Want to book a lesson in with me? Get in touch here!

Photographer: Shot by Amy
Wedding dress: Mimi Toko

Hair: Pin Up Curl

Flowers: Crafted by Louise herself!
Venue: Elvaston Castle Weddings

The INKEY List

Sali Jones — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 02:16:00 +0000

The lovely team at The INKEY List recently sent me some goodies for a new range they have launched!

I've not used the Salicylic Acid cleanser but as I've always suffered with hormonal acne, I've been super excited to try out their Hydrocolloid Invisable Pimple Patches. True to form, a spot must have realised that these babies had been delivered because one came up within 48 hours!

Formulated with 99% hydrocolloid to help extract the yukk that lives in a spot, help flatten the blemish from being a mole hill on your face, and create a protective seal around said molehill. The patches come in a couple of sizes too, depending on your spot size, and they are VERY thin and ultra-matte so make blending into your skin super easy. It's said you can wear makeup on top of them but I've not tried that myself. The patches have a slight blurring effect too which sort of lessens the appearance of the spot underneath. Super clever stuff!

You've meant to leave them on for about 4 hours, or overnight and it doesn't matter if you use them AM or PM. I found that loads of stuff came out of my spot after 4 hours, and it sure helped speed up the healing process. I've talked to people about the unconcious itch and picking we do to our skin a lot too, and found that having a physical barrier on my face super helpful. Every time my fingers went to go try fiddle with the spot, they were stopped!

I'll save you from the ick that came out on the patch after 12 hours of wearing one, but you can see this one which was about four hours...!

Have you used spot patches before? Would you be tempted to try these?

Skincare Routine

Sali Jones — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:52:00 +0000

Starting a skincare routine can be daunting as heck. What order do you do things, what things should I put on - is there anything I can realistically leave out? Do I have to spend all that money? Now I'm no skincare specialist, and I'll never claim to be one. If you've a thirst for knowledge about all things skincare then I wholly recommend Caroline Hiron's Skincare - The No Nonsense Guide - it has incredible advice in it and more knowledge than you could ever imagine! There's also two incredible skincare specialists I recommend in Nottingham if you're looking to get specific help.

However, here are my tips for all skincare types!

CLEANSE YOUR SKIN. In the morning, if your skin is dry you can probably get away with a rinse of water. If you're oily, I'd go in with a cleanser. All the night's oil and grime will want wiping off so your other skincare can work effectively. At night time, no matter what your skin is like, clean it. Yes, even if you're not wearing makeup! Get that dirt off your face. All the day's bacteria needs to be washed off your face at night.

MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN. In the morning and in the evening, your skin barrier needs moisture to repair and protect itself. Slather it on! You skin needs hydration both from you drinking water, AND from you moisturising it.

SPF. Every Damn Day. Every morning, whether it's snowing, raining, cloudy, windy - WHATEVER THE WEATHER, WEAR YOUR SPF. And I don't mean "My foundation has a little SPF 15 in it" - that's not worth a damn thing. You want a minimum of SPF 30 on every day. I mean, slather it on. SPF50 *chef kiss* all over your face, neck, and chest. It is solely the one thing you can do every day that will benefit your skin for YEARS to come.

Extra bits you can add in

DOUBLE CLEANSE - This is the process of cleaning your face twice. Easy as that! If you're wearing makeup, I'd always suggest an oil based cleanser which will break down the makeup without stripping your skin. You can then cleanse your face with your favourite cleanser that's suitable for your skin.

EXFOLIATE. Start using a chemical exfoliant. My absolute favourite is Nip & Fab's Glycolic Acid pads. Anyone who's had a 1-2-1 lesson with me will have heard me rave about them. The glycolic acid helps to disolve the dry skin without using anything 'bitty' to scrub at your skin. Don't be scared by the word acid, this stuff is so much gentler on your skin.

SERUM - This goes on before moisturising. A super easy rule of thumb is that if the product is thinner, it goes on earlier in the application. Serums will penetrate deeper into your skin and come with some pretty awesome concentrated skincare benefits (things like Vit C, or hyaluronic acid) so it's worth while looking at them and thinking of adding them in.

EYECREAM - I'd pop this on after serum and before moisturising too - again, thinner products go on first. You can get some great eye creams that have caffiene in them that sort of tighten the area a little and reduce puffy skin. Your undereye is super thin and doesn't produce oil, which makes it dryer. If you're finding it's dry, get a hydrating eyecream in there. Don't go up to the lash line; you're asking for trouble! And be SUPER gentle in your application. Pad the product in, instead of swiping.

If you were doing all the above I'd go for Cleanse, Double Cleanser, Exfoliate, Serum, Eye Cream, Moisturise, and SPF - in that order :)

There's also other great things that we can do to benefit our skin - eat healthy, drink loads of water, do some exercise, get a lot of sleep, maybe take some vitamins. And now you've read this, go get yourself a glass of water. Your skin will thank you for it!

To lash or not to lash

Sali Jones — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 05:40:00 +0000

Love them or hate them, lash extensions are here to stay. Thankfully it's totally a personal preference, but here's my tuppence worth of knowledge and opinion about having them for your wedding day...

- Don't have them for the first time just before your wedding. Have a trial run of them a few months (MONTHS, not weeks) before your wedding day and see how you get on with them.

- Find a really good technician who will give you advice on how to look after them and clean them. If you want them to last and look good for as long as possible, you have to follow set rules to the letter.

- If you've got small eyes, you're not going to want a big set of lashes coz it'll just cover up your eyelid where I've done all that pretty work and eyeshadow. Ask to see a range of styles and lengths to work out what you want.

- If you already have good eyelashes, you can have an LVL lash lift to curl and dye them! They will lift your natural lashes and give them a great shape to add mascara to. You CANNOT wear false eyelashes if you have these as the natural lash will curl back into the strip lash and be super uncomfortable. It's one or the other!

I'll always offer strip lashes for your wedding day, for you and anyone else who's makeup I'm doing. It's all included in the price you pay me, but it won't make my rates cheaper if you choose to have lashes. Your makeup application price will stay the same.

I only use vegan and cruelty-free eyelashes - you won't see any mink lashes here, or human hair lashes. This is a non-negotiable for me! I love the brands Ardell and Eylure, and use Demi-Wispies, Naturals or 3/4 lashes.

Alternatively if you don't want to wear any lashes, then that's just fine! I'll always offer to show you the ones I have because I only work with super natural looking ones. No Daisy the cow looking eyelashes - I want you to look like you still, but +10! You can always try a set at your trial, and see how you get on with them. There won't be any arm twisting here, but they will be comfortable and natural looking :)

Perfect Silhouette shoot

Sali Jones — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:41:00 +0000

It was an absolute honour to be asked by Robyn to be part of her 2024 Signature Collection photoshoot, showcasing some of her most requested hair styles. She organised three models, choosing Alexis Blake, and Kennedy and Meg from zebedeetalent. We took over the gorgeous Stubton Hall for the day back in January and photographed these beautiful looks below!

For Alexis, I knew Robyn would be showcasing some stunning vintage Hollywood waves so I corresponded with a lush red matte lip, matte skin, matte eyeshadow with a real sharp slick of black eyeliner - a glam vintage look that I ADORE doing. If vintage is your thing, be it a full reproduction of a specific time period or a nod to that classic styling, I'm your gal.

To quote Robyn: "The hollywood wave is not a style for the faint hearted. They are high maintenance, not a touchable style and 99% of the time required extensions to achieve the fullness, wave definition and longevity needed. But my word, are they worth it!!"

I've been doing makeup for trans clients for a long flippin' time now, and it was a joy to be the first makeup artist Alexis has ever trusted with her face. To have her smile in the mirror after I'd finished and nearly cry (punch those tears back in!) was a lovely moment (apart from the tears!) and I'll never not love helping my trans clients feel like their very best selves.

Being blonde and fair, and knowing Amy from BellaMe had some luuuuuuush sparkly dresses for Kennedy, I wanted to get proper sparkly and go for full on princess vibes for her makeup. I was wanting rose gold sparkly eyeshadow and a nude matte lip - let the eyes do the talking! I love me some eyeshadow sparkles on wedding makeup; let’s get them all sparkly and make your other half’s eyes pop out of their head when you get down the aisle to them!

Robyn: "I went for a set of floral pins for the first look to keep the soft look, then the 2nd dress we switched it up for a sparkle beaded headband and pearl pins to mimic the dress detail."

Princess vibes, is a go! I love this delicate bouquet too.

Robyn was doing a super sleek bun for Meg, and wearing a show stopping dress with feather detailing. I did my signature smoky eye in silver, packing in a super shimmery pigment so we could bring a little more drama to her look with a waterline in black for added smoulder. Having incredible full lips, I keep Meg's lips simple with a glossy nude.

Robyn: "As styles get cleaner and smoother this year, I am excited to be styling more smooth, sleek buns like this one. It's a classic, yet modern style and one where you wont have to be worrying what your hair is doing all day! You can have face framing pieces to soften the front or wear it like Meg and rock that clean fronted look"

This is about as full glam as Ms Moo gets. I'm not one for super thick makeup, or overly contoured faces; it's just not my bag! Let me work with the incredible features you've got and I'll have you feeling like a million bucks in no time at all.

Here's the team for this incredible shoot! It was such a wonderful day to spend time with them all, and wonderful to be asked by Robyn of Perfect Silhouette Hair to be a part of her signature collection for 2024. She's one of my recommended suppliers too!

Hair: Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing
Model: @kennedyparkin @megx70 @alexis_blake00
Dresses: Bella Me Bridal
Photography: James Green Studio
Hair Accessories: Love2Sparkle
Venue: Stubton Hall
Styling and Florals: Ruby And Co Events

Zoe and Dan at Rufford Park

Sali Jones — Tue, 28 May 2024 06:50:00 +0000

Zoe & Dan got married at The Mill at Rufford Abbey back in May 2021. There were still a couple of restrictions in place, like me having to wear a mask still while working, but as most photos of me at weddings just show the side of my head it didn't really matter!

It's a gorgeous venue, and I was pleased to be back at The Maypole at Wellow to get her and the rest of the wedding party ready before headed over to The Mill for the big 'I do!' and party.

"Thank YOU so much for being so wonderful that morning and keeping me calm and laughing."

Venue: Rufford Park
Photographer: Field Photographic
Dress: Wed2B and Blush Bridal Alterations
Hair: Browns Hairdressing - Draycott
Flowers: theflowershopbeeston

Favourite Eyebrow Products

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 May 2024 06:57:00 +0000

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then the eyebrows are the window frames; and it's soon noticable when they are rotten!

The trends for eyebrows change so often, it's almost impossible to keep up with what's in fashion or not. I'm not diagnosed but I'm fairly sure I have trichotillomania so I've had my eyebrows tattooed for the last few years now. I documented my eyebrows before I had them tattooed, and then after I had them done with Charmaine Shinner. Having my brows tattooed absolutely revolutionised my relationship with my face, and gave me so much confidence after having pencilled them in for so long. All of this was down to the skills and knowledge that Charmaine has, and the care and attention she gives to each client. I recommend her to all my clients who consider semi-permanent makeup.

Whether you still have a full brow or are nursing the tiniest amount of hair, here are some of my favourite products.

Nude by Nature - Defining Brow Pencil - Relatively new in my professional kit, but I like how soft they are which is great for adding a little definition and then softening with the brush at the adjecent end. I've found them great for using on the slightly more mature client.

Soap and Glory - Precision Brow Pencil and Brush - A super fine pencil, which I find great for adding individual hair strokes to fill in gaps.

Soap and Glory - Defining Brow Crayon and Setting Gel - This one is so good it's in my professional kit and my personal kit. I love the crayon texture for giving me a little more colour to my tattooed brows. I prefer a more powdered look to my brows so don't need to create hair texture. The gel is great for making sure all hairs are facing the same way once filled in.

E.L.F Cosmetics - Instant Life Waterproof Brow Pencil - For a grand total of £4, you can't go wrong with this pencil from ELF. A super pigmented pencil with a brush on the other end to groom brows into shape.

E.L.F Cosmetics - Clear Lash and Brow Gel - Another absolute steal for £3! Clear mascara in one end and brow gel in the other, great for that super groomed look but with a bit of definition on both parts. I'm a big believer that makeup knows no gender, but I do recommend this product to men who don't want to add colour but do want to groom.

Urban Decay - Brow Blade Pencil - I've always loved Urban Decay products, and this is another that's now a staple in my personal kit. It's got a super thin pencil for creating hair like texture but the other side has an ink tint, which lasts really well.

What Make Up Brands I Use

Sali Jones — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:21:00 +0000

Everyone should experience luxury when having their makeup done! After all, it's a special occasion and you deserve to feel truly fabulous, from a wedding day to a day out on the town! That said, I don't think that any animals should be harmed for us to feel this good.

It's why I've been a cruelty-free makeup artist now for over 10 years. That means I won't support brands that sell in countries where animal testing is required for their products to be sold. No products in my kit have been tested on animals, and a very large portion of it is vegan too - which means that there are no animal derived ingredients used either.

Sadly there's a lot of brands out there that do still test on animals - Nars, MAC, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Elemis, Clinique, and Armarni, to name a few.

There's no need for animal testing in this day and age. You can absolutely have luxury products that are cruelty-free! I will always endeaver to go above and beyond to make sure the items in my kit will deliver impeccable results.

So here's a few brands that I keep in my kit that you can be assured also have good ethics!

Illamasqua - a good 75% of my kit comes from Illamasqua! I've been a customer of theirs since 2011. I adore their Skinbase foundation. I bang on about their ethics a lot in my 1-2-1 makeup lessons. They have a massive range of vegan products too!

Charlotte Tilbury - a relative newbie to CTilbs, but I do enjoy their lipsticks. You have to specifically search on their website for vegan products, where I'd rather be able to filter by them.

Urban Decay - You can't order from UD on their website anymore, which is sad as they used to have great deals there but they are readily available in Boots, and on Look Fantastic where you can get a whopping discount with my code, LFTFSALIMOO!

Soap and Glory - Known for their bodycare and now ever growing skincare range, I do still love a Soap & Glory makeup products. My personal favourite is their Defining Brow Crayon and Setting Gel which I use on my own brows. And I still adore the Sexy Motherpucker lip range!

Stila - Their "Eyes are the window" palette in Soul is one of my favourites, ever. EVER! It's up their with Urban Decay's Naked 1 and Naked 2. I bought five when they were discontinued and I have one left that's brand new. I still live in hope that they will one day bring it back...!

Eylure - Making my life forever easier by being always cruelty-free and vegan, Eylure also make some super amazing natural lashes and 3/4 ones. Brilliant for adding a little extra party to your makeup if you're not one for wearing lashes.

Too Faced - I adored their 24-Hour Eyeshadow Primer, but they changed the bottle which now makes it impossible to get all the product out of, so I don't use it, but I still reach for their Born This Way palette time and time again.

Tarte - Another brand with incredible products, and one of my favourite nude eyeshadow palettes. No makeup artist is without their cult product, Shapetape concealer. Try and see for yourself why everyone loves it!

ELF Cosmetics - I've been ordering from ELF since 2010... that's how long I've been doing makeup! They have been on quite a journey in that time (haven't we all?) and I still love their stuff for my 1-2-1 lessons. The value for money is incredible.

Nude by Nature - a newbie to my kit, but I'm enjoying their lipsticks a lot. They are a 100% naturally derived brand, and I like their foundation, brow pencils, and have numerous lip products from them!

VE Cosmetics - ran by the wonderful Lynsey, VE Cosmetics are fully cruelty-free and vegan. She has super strong brand values, and

Inglot - their Duraline is such a handy product to have in your kit, and I've been a fan of their gel eyeliner for years. That stuff is BULLETPROOF, nevermind cry-proof!

Delilah - Relatively new to my kit, but I've loved what I've used so far. And the whole range is cruelty-free AND vegan! I look forward to trying out a lot more.

Eyeko - has one of the best waterproof mascaras out there! It's super soft on the eyelashes, and it's super smooth.

The Body Shop - my OG for skincare! I know they've had their troubles recently with stores closing around the country, but I really hope the business survives. It's so affordable, they are so knowledgable, and their stuff is superb.

Nip & Fab - Glycolic Acid pads. Nuff said. They've saved my ass so many times! Disolving dry and dead skin, letting the lovely fresh stuff come through without scrubbing at your face.

The Ordinary - Some brilliant but affordable skincare, their stuff is great; the Natural Moisturising Factors is a staple in my kit for slaying dry skin and repairing the skin's natural hydration barrier. The instant hydration is provides has been a lifesaver.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Lottie and Emma

Sali Jones — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:20:00 +0000

Lottie and Emma got married at the lovely Cockliffe Country House in July 2023. They'd originally planned for 2020, but then EVERYTHING happened and they postponed to 2021. Seeing how things we're in early 2021, they decided to postpone their wedding reception to 2023 so that COVID could absolutely chuff off and they would be safe in the knowledge their wedding celebrations would be as full throttle as they initially planned!

And it absolutely was, but they had damn good reason to celebrate. Not only had they dealt with the pandemic, they relocated back to Nottingham after living in London for 10 years. Lottie also underwent emergency urgent spinal surgery the week of her legal ceremony. A rough couple of years, but these two were ready to let their hair down...!

Lottie and Emma both answered these questions seperately by email so don't know what the other answered, haha!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
L: We got engaged in November 2017 and we got married in July 2023! It wasn’t supposed to take this long, we were supposed to get married in 2020 (and we all know what happened there) and had to reschedule it three times thanks to Covid and me breaking my back! But the extra years gave us the opportunity to keep adding on things we wanted to do, so it all worked out in the end.
E: I can’t remember 😂 I want to say 30th November 2019. It took about a year for most of it but then Covid took an extra 3 years of juggling!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
L: You and Emma were the two first ones we booked! The dream team of Flashes and Lashes! I had no doubt in my mind that it had to be you and Emma (Luna Photography) because I’ve known you both for years and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my face and photos and lo and behold, you were both the best!!
E: Venue, make up, photographer, DJ, venue stylists

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
L: Rock City circa 2009? Haha!
E: We already knew you and wouldn’t of dreamt of choosing someone else cos you’re a badass!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
L: I didn’t consider doing my own makeup - I knew I wanted you to do it because I’d seen your work and have been here through the start of your business and it was so important to me to book you because you are not only so wonderful at your craft, but you’re also my friend and it meant a lot to me.
E: Because you are a super talented make up artist and would only trust one person with my face on my wedding day! I wanted to feel a million dollars and not have the stress of doing it myself. Plus I knew we’d have a giggle and a safe space to be super GAY

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
L: Perfect. Really put both of our minds at ease and was just like catching up with a friend (which you are and it was, but even taking that out, it was so relaxing and empowering!)
E: Loved every second. I was a bit nervous I wouldn’t be able to articulate what I wanted but even with my vagueness and a few picture from Pinterest you were able to create the perfect look. You even recommended stuff I hadn’t even thought about like filling in my eyebrows and general skin care tips

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
L: My only regret is not having eyeliner 😂 but the sparkles so made up for it! Maybe more of those too (hellooooo adhd!)
E: Nothing at all. It’s the most beautiful and hot I’ve ever looked!

Any advice for someone else getting married?

L: I know it’s a massive cliche but when all is said and done, the day should be about you two and the love you share. Make it unapologetically you, bend the rules, do what brings you joy and hire your creative pals!
E: Get yourself a spreadsheet for all the planning, if you have a budget in mind make sure you add a bit extra on because there’s always going to be little bits you see and want to add in. Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions, it’s your day and you need to make sure you’re comfortable with everything. Have someone in mind (or a couple of people!) on the day that you can delegate to for those last min checks. Make sure on the day you find a quiet moment with your other half to just take a breather and soak up all the goodness because the day goes by so fast and you probably won’t see them much on the day, ironically! Don’t stress on the day, if things don’t quite go to plan people won’t even notice! And book Sali as your make up artist because she’s awesome!

"Thank you so much for being part of our special day! Ok, what we actually mean is thank you for being a bad ass bitch and making our whole day stress free!!
A special thanks for being patient with the mums and helping with their first set of false eye lashes - they both looked STUNNING.
AND DAMN WE LOOKED HOT TOO - WE MADE PEOPLE CRY WITH OUR HOTNESS!!
It's been an absolute dream working with you so if there is anything we can do to leave an official review etc then please just let us know where we can do this!
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Emma & Lottie xxx
P.s. Thanks also for all the tits - 10/10, would recommend!"

Photographer: Luna Photography
Hair: Perfect Silhouette Hair
Venue: Cockliffe Country House
Wedding stylists: Princess Occasions
Confetti: Flutter Darlings
Photobooth and tent: The Little Red Bus

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Lucy Sutton

Sali Jones — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:08:00 +0000

Lucy contacted me in 2020 to book her and Adam's wedding in for 2021, full of hope that the world would've returned to normal. Alas it wasn't, so we shuffled to 2022 and her and Adam did the paperwork earlier. They weren't compromising on their big wedding reception at the lovely Setcops Farm!

On meeting Lucy, she had two stipulations - she absolutely wanted me to use my Bridal Eyes eyeshadow palette, and wanted a red lip. So, that's exactly what we did!

On the big day, I got her and her three bridesmaids ready super early in the morning as Lucy had some engagement photos done with Adam and their dog Aria before guests arrived. They were super relaxed about their morning and because of it, they just had the absolute best time! As you can see from their photos below :)

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
We planned the first version in 6 months then covid hit!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
You 🥺 I felt so lucky!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Bridebook mainly!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I loved your style and the way you handled yourself on your social media, I did consider doing my own but it was too much work!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Loved it!
Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Maybe gone for a smokey eye to make my eyes pop a bit more.

Any advice for someone else getting married?

Nobody else is important but you, plan your day how you want it. Worrying about other people really detracts from the day!

"Sali, what a makeup artist.
You will not regret having her as part of your day, calm and collected, she kept everyone focused abd looking stunning.
I pinned Sali as my MUA before I even got engaged and was delighted when she told me she could do my makeup, covid got in the way but Sali was calm and professional and so very excellent at communication.
She was the one part of my day I didn't have to worry about, she came to our venue, made all of me and my bridesmaids look stunning and kept everyone chilled.
I cannot thank Sali enough and I loved my look on the day.
A wonderful MUA and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone and everyone I know.
Don't think twice, contact Sali and see if she has your date, she doesn't disappoint.
Love
Mrs Sutton xx"

Photographer: Fox Moon Photography
Garden Games: Emma Lane Designs - Luxury Garden Game Hire
Venue: Setcops Farm Wedding & Events Barn

Non Make Up Items In My Kit

Sali Jones — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:06:00 +0000

The most used things in my makeup kit are often not items of makeup, or even skincare. Here's a little run down of all the bits and pieces I keep in my travelling makeup kit for a wedding day. You never know when something might come in handy!

Embroidery Scissors - From cutting the tag off a veil or those loops inside a dress that help secure it to a hanger - small scissors are always handy to have in your kit. The smaller the better then they aren't too big to carry!

No Crease Hair Clips - The makeup artists best friend, keeping hairdressers happy everywhere! They are flat so will keep hair back off the face without creating any marks in the hair. Top tip! If there is face framing hair around the sides of the face that's curled, you can use a tissue in the clip to protect the hair from setting spray which can make curls drop.

Jess by Chris Snowdon at Swancar Farm

Eye Masks - I include these in my wedding makeup packs and tell the bride to use them the morning after their wedding when they are feeling a bit bleary! That said, if I'm at a wedding super early and have a large wedding party to get ready, I'll suggest the bride pops them on before I do their makeup. Who knows the science behind them; not me! But they make your eyes feel nice and rejuvinated, and that's a win in my experience.

Portable neck fan - This is more for me than any of my makeup clients, but I've shared it about before when it's been a mega warm day! It's a USB chargable neck fan that has a couple of different settings, blowing air up at you to keep you cooler. The battery power on it is really quite good and has kept going for quite a few hours on jobs, or when driving long distances.

Travel sewing kit - New to my kit for this year, I think this is going to be super useful! For putting buttons back on, for sewing people into dresses, for popping a stitch in a hem that needed it. A sewing kit is super handy for wedding days! Mine has multiple colours of thread too.

Selfie light - Perfect for dark mornings or rooms with warm light, this little selfie light has three different light settings. Good to holding up to someone's face to check their foundation is the right shade, or to pop on your phone when you want to take a photo of someone. Again it's USB rechargable, so great to keep in your kit all year around.

Hand held fan - Old school fan for hand use, but super useful to be passed around on a wedding morning. I've previously used them to fan clients after spraying them with setting spray too! Keeping a few in your bag is a great idea. I gave a few brides a fan last summer when we had particularly hot days.

Kristy by Emma Richardson

Glass nail file - A glass nail file is much easier to clean with ispropanol, so I'd much rather one of these than an old school cardboard file.

Safety pins - These get restocked the most in my wedding kit! Everyone loves a safety pin, if it's pinning a strap up or securing a buttonhole in place when it's particularly heavy. I've also helped pin together dresses to stop them gaping at the chest.

Other things in my kit that I regularly have; snacks, sunscreen, tweezers, tissues, cotton buds, eyelash glue, mints/chewing gum, pain killers, anti bacterial, Vaseline (foot lube!), plasters... you name it, I've probably got it!

International Womens Day 2024

Sali Jones — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:27:00 +0000

I never work on International Women's Day. It's the 8th March, and every year - along with my birthday, and my work anniversary, and Christmas - I buy myself a nice cake and a bottle of champagne! I absolutely make sure that I book the day off in my diary in advance. I wholly believe in celebrating myself on International Women's Day and think you should too! Especially as this year it falls on a Friday.

Last year I wrote a blog recommending some of my favourite female wedding suppliers who're doing great things. This year's theme is #InspireInclusion - here to celebrate those people who raise you up, bring you under their wing, who'll speak about you in rooms you're not in, and who will cheerlead you when you're rocking and comfort you when you're sobbing. There's very few people that will do that so selflessly, so this blog is here to celebrate those that I've found provide that incredible support and do things every day that will inspire inclusion in all that they do.

Lottie L'Amour she/her

Lottie is an absolute bossanova. She's an award-winning marketing whizz who works at TikTok. She's seriously cool. She was awarded "Highly Commended" at the European Diversity Awards for her work as a Diversity Champion at TT! ON THE SIDE OF THIS (like, as well as having a super involved full on job) she applied to be (and was accepted as) a delegate for @unwomenuk Commission on the Status of Women, and she's a trustee at Music for Youth. Oh, and all this is on top of relocating, dealing with surgery x 2, and planning a wedding that was rescheduled three times during the pandemic. What a boss!

Maxine Delicious she/her

Maxine has run Little Miss Delicious for over 15 years, always providing colourful, handmade, WELL MADE, home decor and once upon a time jewellery. I did makeup for a few photoshoots back in the day, so you may have seen her on my website! Her home decor these days is gorgeous; inclusive and sometimes political and sweary, which can be scary for small businesses owners - lots of people out there still expect you to be very sanitised. Thing is, the people that want that aren't your customers; they just want to control you. So now she's doing these awesome wall hangings, garlands, and felt hoops with swears, in pride colours, smashing the patriarchy and encouraging self-care, and business is thriving. G'wan Maxine!

Lynsey VE she/her

Lynsey used to be a professional alt-model who I super admired but never got to work with before she retired to have her son and created a makeup line! VE Cosmetics was born nine years ago, and she's gone from strength to strength; launching incredible eyeshadow palettes, foundations (with a fully inclusive colour range!), eyeliners, lipsticks in a variety of finishes and most recently, a skin care range. Always making sure her products are fully cruelty-free and vegan, she's also been to the Houses of Parliament to campaign for the Business without Blood Sports pledge, and was a finalist at the Great Big Small Awards 2023.

Interview: Helen Sutcliffe

Sali Jones — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:02:00 +0000

Helen Sutcliffe is a wedding hairstylist with over 10 years experience of being a freelance wedding stylist. Being a cruelty-free wedding makeup artist, I flippin' love that she's so staunchly cruelty-free - beauty products don't need to be tested on animals! Helen's got such a lovely calming presence on a wedding morning - she's the quieter version of me, watching everything that's going on, and looks after her bride in such a gentle and loving way. I love that she always (ALWAYS) has a half way treat of a can of Diet Coke!

I caught up with her for my first recommended supplier interview of 2024...

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world.
I am currently trying to find the positives in January, not only to get my admin systems sorted, my salon space redecorated, but also getting out and doing things that make me feel happy, before it all feels a bit busy. There are times the seasonality of the wedding industry is difficult, but sometimes I feel quite privileged to have time to think and re-evaluated.

How did you get into being a wedding hairstylist, and hairdressing in general?
I originally worked as a stylist in a salon, I loved the energy, the creativity and variation of the industry. I was asked to style friends and clients hair for their weddings on occasion, my bridal client numbers grew slowly over a number of years through word of mouth, until I didn't have the time to do both, it was a very organic evolution.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?The industry has grown significantly over the last decade; I love that my brides have more autonomy about how the day will run, what details they want to feature and prioritise, and there is definitely less of a box to fit into in terms of styling.

I think the flip side of this, with there being so many options, and with the importance of social media, is that the pressures and stress of 'getting it right' is greater, which can be overwhelming.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you love working with or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)
I work with some amazing wedding suppliers, not only for the work they produce, but their dedication and hard work the give to each wedding. I love flowers, so I am always excited to see who the florist is; Gigil and Bloom amazing and unconventional arrangements her use of colour is magic. Frond and Bloom who does the most classic elevated designs, and Elder and Wild, natural and wild garden grown flowers. There are so many more that I love, who I have the pleasure of working with.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?
I have learnt over the years that the consultation part is the most important, I like to hear how people style their own hair, I have picked up so many tips and advice that way, particularly curly hair, so I am always getting advice and feedback which helps me grow as a stylist.

Could you pick one thing people should AND/OR shouldn't have at their wedding?
Other than having an amazing group around a bride to make her feel positive, I think good snacks are a necessary on a wedding day for a bride, no one ever feels like eating properly.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?
My advice to a bride to be would be don't keep looking at pictures of your dress and other dresses once you have chosen yours, over analysis can be a real enemy. Also don't worry about the weather, please! It will be what it will be, and only your disappointment will put a dampener on the day.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?
Bridal suite often don't have locks on their bathrooms, which on a couple of occasions have caused a bit of embarrassment, but its quickly laughed off.

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?
I think the beauty of working for yourself is that you can use the mistakes to make you better, so no nothing significantly I wish I had differently as its what has got me to this point.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!)

I choose my products, for work and home not only on performance but on the ethics and sustainability behind the brands, I would love for everyone to make that a priority too, brands will promote this on their website or social so just have a look. I am currently using 'Monday', 'Coco and Eve' and 'Affinage'.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kristy

Sali Jones — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:10:00 +0000

We all remember that super hot weekend in September, right? The one with the 35 degree weather? Yeah, that's when Kristy got married! She got ready with her bestie Nikki, and her Mum Sandy at The Mercure in Nottingham, before marrying JP at the The Lord Mayor's Parlour in the Nottingham Council House in an intimate ceremony followed by a meal and a knees up in the evening. It was THE HOTTEST morning I've ever known, but she absolutely kept her cool because she wasn't at all worried about her wedding and had planned the day exactly as her and JP wanted it.

Remember that it's your day, so do it your way! Do exactly what YOU both want.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
In Slovenia, in May 2023 - then September 2023 for the wedding!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Ms Moo Make Up!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I already followed your make up page

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Absolutely not. I wanted my make up to look nice and professionally done, and I can't do that! I booked you because I knew you'd listen to what I wanted and you've always made your clients look awesome. Also, cruelty free make up is a must for me and that's your whole kit!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Hot! Because it was blistering heat. But also I liked how your explained everything you were doing and why.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nope. Not a thing. It was exactly what I wanted.

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Make sure it is 100% what you want. If you want a massive fairytale, great, go for it and live your best wedding life. If you don't, absolutely do not be tempted to do things you don't want just to please other people. We had 30 people attend the day, and a party upstairs in a pub for the evening. And nobody was changing my mind on that. It's supposed to be a day that reflects you and your partner and makes you happy, so don't let anyone dictate to you.

Kristy's review from Google:

"Sali was my only choice for my wedding make up.
Having used her services before, and comparing her to the experience I had with wedding make up (as a bridesmaid several times) there was no competition really!
Sali brings with her a friendly disposition, humour, and an expertise that is just in a league of its own. My mother had scars from surgery for skin cancer, and was concerned about them showing up in wedding photos. Sali bought specific products to use and my Mum looked absolutely flawless. She felt so pretty on the day and this was such a wonderful thing to see.
Sali had the challenge of doing my make up on the hottest day of the year, but she delivered, and it stayed put.
The additional touches of a little kit with blotting paper, powder, and a brand new lipstick (whichever colour you chose at the make up trial) as well as chewing gum made the care she puts in to each job so evident.
I can't recommend Sali enough, she was on time, she was professional, she made us all feel at ease and she expertly dealt with my nerves on the day.
She's an essential part of your wedding day!"

If you'd like to find out my availability or discuss your wedding makeup, get in touch here.

FAQs

Sali Jones — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:50:00 +0000

FAQ

Hey, I'm Sali! If you didn't know I'm a specialist wedding and events makeup-artist with well over 10 years of experience and pride myself on having really high standards of service.

If you're looking for a wedding makeup artist, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that I often encounter that might help you when considering booking me!

How far in advance should I book your services for my wedding?
While I can often take last minute requests, I book the majority of my work in advance some 12-18 months in advance. I tend to open the diary for bookings in October; for example in October 2023, I opened my 2025 diary. In October 2024, I will open 2026.

Do I need a trial?
Absolutely! Before the big day, I always recommend a trial; this will let us get to know each other a bit first and you can find out what information you need from me well in advance. I’d like to build up an idea of what look you’re going for and we’ll discuss what you want your make-up to do for you; bold brows, subtle shimmer, sharp cheekbones or bright eyes; I won’t rest until you’re 100% happy and have a beaming smile. I'll also want to know what your dress looks like and how you’re planning to have your hair etc, coz I proper love weddings and I'm going to want all the details! I do this about 6-8 weeks before your wedding day.

How many people can have their makeup done?
As many as time will allow me! The biggest bridal party I've done was 10 people. As long as I've got caffeine, I'm alright ;) For bigger parties, I can bring a second make-up artist at an additional cost. Be assured that whoever I bring with me on a wedding morning is a professional make-up artist in their own right - they are skilled, talented, and brilliant humans, and I trust them.

What do I need to pay to secure my wedding date?
A non-refundable booking fee of £150.00 is required to hold the date of your wedding in my diary up until your trial with me. This amount is then taken off the final balance of your booking.

How far will you travel for my wedding?
Wherever I'm needed and wanted, I will go! I've been to Croydon, Llangollen, Grimsby, Southend on Sea - have car and passport, will travel! I'm usually booked for weddings in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, but I'm happy to travel around all of the East Midlands. i include 20 miles of travel in my wedding bookings, and then charge 50p per mile for a round booking. All travel and accomodation fees will be discussed with you in advance.

Do you do hair as well as makeup?
No, I don't provide any hair-styling services; hairstyling to me is wizardry! I can recommend you to a number of amazing hairstylists that I work with on a regular basis who have years of experience.

What products do you use?
I take pride in that my make-up kit is 100% cruelty-free. I won't use products that have been tested on animals. I'm also able to offer a fully vegan kit too; just ask! My kit includes but is not limited to Illamasqua, Urban Decay, Tarte Cosmetics, Stila, Hourglass, Morphe and Sugarpill. I use The Body Shop, The Ordinary, and Nip & Fab for my skincare. I ensure that my kit is suitable for all skin tones, all skin types, and sensitive skin too.

How long will it take to do my makeup?
I like to be finished with wedding party makeup approximately an hour before your ceremony or before you need to travel to your wedding. I recommend leaving 60 minutes for your wedding makeup, and around 45 minutes per additional person.

What happens if you can't do my wedding for some reason?
In the unlikely event that I'm not able to attend your booking due to sickness, injury, personal emergency or any other circumstance beyond my control, a make-up artist of a similar standard will be sourced. This cannot however be guaranteed; if I'm not able to find a replacement makeup artist, you would receive a full refund of monies paid, minus the booking fee.

Do you provide touch-up services throughout the day?
If this is required, we can price it up that I stay with you for the day or perhaps return to your venue in the evening for a touch-up or complete change in your makeup for your reception. I do provide a small touch-up kit though for all my wedding clients, including oil-blotting papers and a sample of your lipstick colour.

Can you provide reference or share your portfolio?
Of course! You can view all my Google reviews here, my Facebook reviews here, and my accounts on Hitched and Bridebook. A lot of my weddings get shared on Instagram, and you can see my wedding portfolio right here on my website. If there's anything you'd like to see specifically that you don't see online, just slide in my DMs.

Favourite Nude Eyeshadow Palettes

Sali Jones — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:13:00 +0000

During my 1-2-1 makeup lessons, I'm often asked about my favourite nude eyeshadow palettes. A staple for versitility, no matter your makeup style, nude eyeshadow palettes will have something for everyone. Matte eyeshadows have have a flat finish, which is great for achieving a natural look. More shimmery or metallica eyeshadows are more radiant and glam. I love a mix of the two, but I'd certainly lean more towards shimmery eyeshadows; probably because I'm a bit of a magpie! Here are some of my favourites nude eyeshadow palettes.

Tarte's Tartelette In Bloom palette is praised for its mix of matte and shimmer shades in versatile neutral tones. I reach for this regularly doing weddings, both for brides and bridesmaids.

Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes is known for its magic combo of matte and shimmer shades in soft, natural tones. The dark chocolate Truffle is gorgeous for smoking out eyes. The texture of the shadows is super buttery.

The OG, Urban Decay Naked3 Palette is an absolute classic, known for its mix of soft pinks. I really miss Naked1 and Naked2, and above all else, I'd want Urban Decay to bring them back! It was reported that Naked1 used to be sold every five seconds globally!

Illamasqua's Unveiled Artistry palette has 12 shimmer, satin, and matte eyeshadows that I reach for time and time again for doing bridesmaids' makeup. The pink shimmery tones are lush on darker skin tones.

While not exclusively a nude eyeshadow palette, I love the Gilded Glamour palettes from Tarte. They offer a great number of versatile colours, as well as a range of nude tones too. As with the In Bloom palette, the longevity from the clay in the eyeshadow is second to none!

Let me know about your favourite nude eyeshadow palettes!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Emily

Sali Jones — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 06:12:00 +0000

Emily and Mitch had their wedding at Inkersall Grange Farm back in August 2021. They'd postponed twice due to the pandemic but we're determined to have all their family and friends around them for their festival-themed wedding! They had their legal paperwork done secretly the year before so as not to spoil their big music festival themed day, and then absolutely smashed out a weekends worth of partying in one night!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Engaged 14/07/2018, due to be married 12/09/2020 but rescheduled twice due to Covid and married in 2021. So the wedding took two years to plan but was re-planned a couple of times.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
The venue was booked first, followed by food - Rustic Crust Pizza!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Recommended by my previously booked make-up artist who had to cancel because I moved the date - although I'm glad because I'd rather have had you!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Definitely didn't consider doing my own because I'm useless. Booked you because I was passed your details and just loved your vibe.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Great fun. Really relaxed and was exactly what I wanted.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nothing at all, it was perfect

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Be awesome to each other.

"I was recommended Sali after my wedding makeup artist fell through and I’m so glad I found her! I’m a fairly nervous person and not very experienced with my make up but she made me feel so at ease. By the end of my make up trial I felt so relaxed and reassured that I’d made the right decision.

I’ve never felt more beautiful than I did on my wedding day because of her hard work. I had a lot of bridesmaids but she never made us feel rushed and was able to make everyone feel just as special. She’s a lovely human and it’s been a pleasure knowing her "

If you'd like to find out my availability or discuss your wedding makeup, get in touch here.

Photographer: Chris Sedgwick
Wedding dress: Le'adornments Bridal Boutique

Hair: Mellisa Mellor
Venue: Inkershall Grange

Christmas Present Ideas

Sali Jones — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:12:00 +0000

Welcome to the season of sparkle and joy! As the festive spirit takes over, what better way to celebrate than by giving the gift of glamour? This Christmas, immerse your loved ones in a world of beauty with my carefully curated makeup gift guide.

Whether you're shopping for a makeup enthusiast or someone just starting their beauty journey, we've got the perfect picks to make their holiday season merry and bright.

Of course I'm starting this years holiday gift guide with my own eyeshadow palette. Following the sellout of my first eyeshadow palette Bridal Eyes in 2021, I'm over the moon to have released Bridal Eyes II into the world. A matte black palette with nine highly pigmented colours in a range of matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes. As with anything in my makeup kit, it was important that my palette was also vegan and cruelty-free; a non-negotiable.

It'll be no surprise to hear that my favourite part of makeup is eyes - it always has been! As well as Bridal Eyes II, most makeup lovers would be over the moon to find either the Anastasia Beverly Hills Romance eyeshadow palette or the Ciate London Brazilian Glow palette under their tree this year. Both options include festive shades with options for both neutral or bold colours - you decide!

Christmas is for kisses and cheersing together glasses to toast in the new year, but you want to make sure your lipstick pops! One of my favourites for the holidays comes from VE Cosmetics. I adore their lip drip in the shade Brugmansia, bringing you the sheerest pretty shimmer ever which can be worn on its own or over other lipsticks. If shimmer is your thing (come on, it's Christmas - OF COURSE IT IS!) then I also think you'd like the Magikal Essense Liquid Multichrome Liquid. Personal favourite is Love Has Power!

Lip treats for Christmas gifts come no better than Charlotte Tilbury! Some of these gift sets are already such a good price, and you can get a cheeky discount using my affiliate code too. Merry Christmas from me to you! I love the Pillow Talk Mini Bauble gift for just £14.00, and the Iconic Trio of Mini Lipsticks for £29.00. All are 100% suitable for holiday parties and celebrations, from nights out to nights in! Use msmoomakeupFA4HF for your Charlotte Tilbury discount.

Prepping your skin to provide the perfect canvas is super important for Christmas parties, and you'd better be including Urban Decay in that. I've recently been loving their Vitamin C Setting Spray for a little extra spritz of hydration and glow before applying makeup. I'd also grab a hold of their Jet to Set Kit; the superpower duo of both their OG All Nighter Setting Spray and Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I wouldn't be without either of these items in my personal and professional makeup kit.

Now tell me, where are you gonna put all this swag when Santa delivers in? Surely not in that grotty old makeup bag you've had for WHO knows how long? Grab yourself a gorgeous drawstring bag from The Flat Lay company. My favourites are the Classic Black, or if you're a little fiery, their leopard print is rawrsome!

Now the time has come to rest your beautiful face to sleep, so make sure you take off that makeup before bed so Santa doesn't swap you over to the naughty list! Get yourself some Camomile Eye Makeup Remover to soak even the most stubborn of waterproof mascara off, and some Vitamin E Cream Cleanser and Toner to treat your skin to some essential hydration. Also; joy to the world! They now have a refill scheme for SO many of their products. Read more here.

Feel free to ask in my Facebook group if you've any questions about products, or you can contact me directly.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Kirsten

Sali Jones — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:50:00 +0000

Kirsten and Chris had their festival themed wedding in September 2021 at the wonderful Sherwood Glade. Getting ready at home in Sherwood with her besties and brood, she then drove herself to the wedding at Arnot Hill in her open top car. What a rockstar!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged Oct 2019. Married Sept 2021. Planned that way as we had two other big family/friend weddings in 2020 - which were then cancelled!!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Venue first. Then I think you were pretty soon after, then bar! Soon followed by food vans - Little Pizza Box, Newfield Dairy Ice Cream, and Tom & Simon's fish chips. Then my dress by Frock.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Think you may have been on a list a saw from Frock

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I hadn’t initially thought of getting make up done but decided I need a pro job!! I liked all that I saw and read about you.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Loved it!!! A lovely morning of calm, you made me look amazing and I really enjoyed your company

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

No not a thing

Any advice for someone else getting married?
To book you!! Do what you as a couple want. Don’t do something because you think you have to. We had very informal reception, festival style, face painter, food vans, no formal seating, no sides and that was just what we wanted and everyone loved it

"From the minute I met Ms Moo I felt totally at ease. I went for a trial and was stressed and came out feeling calm looking amazing. I knew then I’d be in amazing hands on my wedding day. Sali is calm and cheeky and a veritable magician! I’ve never felt so beautiful. Everyone commented on how amazing I looked. I don’t wear much make up normally but the look was natural and I still looked like me. I would recommend Sali to anyone. She is ultra inclusive and has such a lovely warm heart. Thank you for making me feel beautiful"

Photographer: Emma Ford Photography

Venue: Sherwood Glade

Dress: Frock

Interview: Martin Cheung

Sali Jones — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 06:54:00 +0000

Martin Cheung is an East Midlands based wedding photographer. He loves big smiles, laughing with his couples, and generally making everyone feel comfortable, happy, and chilled out. It's truly the best recipe for a wedding morning, which is why he's one of my recommended suppliers.

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world.
Things are great. Busy busy with it being August but after last year it feels very calm. I’m busy shooting weddings but still (just about) managing to spend some quality time with Daiga, my better half! We haven’t fallen out over the past few weddings either so think we’ve finally found a system that works!

How did you get into wedding photography, and photography in general?
It’s quite a clichéd story really. Daiga & I went to a friends wedding where we didn’t really know anyone else but the couple. So I took random snaps with my camera since I was frankly a bit bored. The official photographer took three months and the threat of small claims court to deliver the images and they weren’t great. Our friend told us she actually preferred the snaps I took. So on the drive home I had this brainwave that if I learned more about photography. I could just do a few weddings a year with the aim of just paying for a nice family holiday each year! It was literally like a light bulb moment! I will always remember it.

Ten years and several hundred weddings later…..here I am!

I did one of my first ever weddings with you just as the pandemic restrictions were starting to lift! What did you look forward to the most in getting back to work, post-pandemic?
You have a good memory! For me weddings had become my escape from the grind of my corporate day job. I’d spent years juggling both and even though the weddings were bringing in enough money to support us full time, I was always cautious of cutting the cord. Thankfully the day job saved us during the pandemic but at the same time it made me realise how bored I was of the corporate world and how much I truly enjoyed photographing weddings. So for me the thing I was looking forward to the most was doing work I enjoyed.

What, if anything, have you done differently or have seen done differently since then?
After the chaos of 2022, I place a lot more emphasis on having a good work-life balance. At the end of 2022, it was like Daiga & I just came out of our studies and met each other! We had to spend time reconnecting and it really made me think that whilst I love the work, I love my wife more. So now we are careful to make sure we spend time together and plan little adventures/getaways.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed? Oooh this is a tough one. I miss the good old days where you’d just plop a photo on Facebook and it’d get seen by thousands and you’d get enquiries just like that! Nowadays social media takes so much time with all the reels and hashtagging and collaborators and TikTok dancing! It’s become a constant grind and a monster that needs feeding.

What am I pleased has changed? Registrars seem friendlier now! When I started out, they very much treated photographers as the ‘enemy’ and tolerated us. That outdated approach has mostly changed with most being really easy to work with nowadays. Now if only we can just get them to talk to vicars…….

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you love working with or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)
Oooh another really tough one. I guess I can’t say my wife as that sounds like a cop out! Or you as that would seem like I’m creeping! So I guess it would have to be Claire & Katie who used to work at the Nottinghamshire but now are at different venues. They saw something in me very early on and happily recommended me to their customers even though I brought chaos with me! And the same to the team at Hazel Gap who have also been very supportive of Daiga & I. Without all their trust, support (and pizza), I wouldn’t be where I am today!

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?
I can’t think of any individual piece of feedback that stands out. I’m just happy when people leave me a nice review at the end.

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?
A videographer. I know that sounds like I’m trying to plug my wife’s services but we were married before we got into the industry and I didn’t book a videographer because I was tight. We could afford it….I just didn’t want to spend the money. And we both regret it deeply now. Some of the people who were there are no longer with us and I’d pay anything now to see/hear them again!

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?
Plan some wiggle room into everything you’ve got planned. And give yourselves time to breathe and enjoy the day. One of the biggest mistakes I see are couples who plan everything to precision and haven’t thought about the practicalities. Or that guests will not be ready/waiting do to whats needed. They’ll faff, disappear and be generally just chattering away. Everything takes longer than you think!

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?
Too many to mention! I once lost a wedding ring at church. That was perhaps the worst moment of my career and the main reason I don’t take ring photos anymore unless asked and even then I don’t take the rings out of the box anymore. That was a horrible butt clenching moment I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy! (Thankfully we did find it!)

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?
Not really. I guess I was too cheap for too long since I didn’t really appreciate what was the right pricing for my work. But guess everyone would say similar in the industry.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!) – Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick. (I actually have no idea….it’s just something that seems like a defecto standard at make up cos I always hear the ladies talking about it!)

Five Things You Don't Know About Me

Sali Jones — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:11:00 +0000

Getting to know me! I know that I have been around a long flippin' time in the make-up world, but I figured I'd let you into some bits and pieces about me!

I made my mum cry when I was Goldilocks in my nursery play and didn't tell her. I didn't know, I was only about 3! I've always loved singing since being in school, and won a competition at my first secondary school when I was in year 7. I sang Sosban Fach at the top of my lungs and won out of all the girls who entered the competition! I was also in the school choir, and when I moved school at the start of year 9, I spent every waking moment in the school's music and drama department. One year our school put on a performance of Vlad The Bad with all 80's music, celebrity characters, and music to match. I was in the chorus of the production and had a solo singing YMCA by The Village People. I was the only soloist in the production who didn't need a mic for the performance in the 500 seat theatre.

(of course I was Goldilocks, look at that hair!)

I have a scar inside my upper lip from where I was playing a tennis game at school, and my mate decided to try to play doubles with me without me knowing she was there and hit me right in the gob with her tennis racket. My first reaction was to ask people if I still had all my teeth while I was spitting blood everywhere, making people feel sick! Thankfully I did have all my teeth, and didn't need any stitches. I don't remember the tennis score, haha! I love Wimbledon too, and will always take two weeks off over Wimbledon to watch it. It's always on over my birthday and I first went on my 16th birthday in 2002.

I went to Coventry University for one year, to studio Music Performance and Professional Practice. I studented far too hard though and failed the first year, so I had to resit the year or leave. I left Coventry and university and moved back to Wrexham for about 9 months before moving to Nottingham in March 2006. And the rest is history... so they say! I don't have any degree in makeup or application, 90% of my skills come through the near 16 year experience I have!

(Some of the first makeup work I ever did, on Monkey by Miss Rain)

I learnt to drive when I was suffering with anxiety the most! I was signed off work from my desk job when things got really bad and I had a big bout of depression. I'd been avoiding going on public transport for a long time anyway as that made me even more anxious, and I was spending a lot of money getting taxis to/from work when I was there, and then getting cabs going shopping, or going to see friends. When I was at this really low point, I signed up to have driving lessons and set myself a goal of learning to drive and having my own car by the end of the year. I didn't pass until my third attempt in October 2016. Since then I've still only been on public transport once when I had to get the tram having crashed my car! I'm no longer on anxiety medication and I do feel it's a lot more under control now. I'm so pleased I learnt to drive when I did and that I pushed myself to do that.

I first asked to drop to four days a week in my desk job back in 2009 so that I could have a day off to do make-up work. It took me until September 2017 to leave and become fully self-employed, but I never looked back. I set up a couple of other businesses to support me in going full time in makeup, having my Etsy store MooDoodlesUK and doing social media for other small businesses.

So that's a little about me and my life leading to now! Anything shocked or surprised you? As always, if you've ever got any questions, I'm an open book. Especially regarding anything about mental health or body positivity.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Hayley

Sali Jones — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:53:00 +0000

Hayley and Stu got married in August 2022, having delayed their wedding from 2020 due to the pandemic. They married at the lovely Swancar Farm, but she got ready with her wedding party at home in Wollaton. Hayley first contacted me back in 2018 so it was really lovely to finally get her ready for her big day!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged May 2017, booked the wedding immediately. Was due to get married in August 2020 but postponed to 2022 due to Covid.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Can’t remember! Think it may have been either the cake maker or the photographer

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Social media

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
You looked down to earth and lovely which is exactly what I wanted!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
I was nervous! But I can be shy. But you made me feel very at ease

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nope

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Don’t just go for the obvious! Look around and enjoy the planning it’s all part of the celebrations

"I booked Sali for my bridal make up for my wedding in August 2022. Sali was fabulous from start to finish. I felt very much at ease and she consulted with me upon every aspect. Sali put me at ease during my make up trial and used colours and shades I was comfortable with. I still looked like me once finished - but a more sparkly me! I would definitely recommend Sali to all bride to be’s!!"

Venue: Swancar Farm
Photographer: Rebecca Dawe
Dress: The Wedding Room

Hair: Maxine Grant

Interview: Moira Borg

Sali Jones — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 05:57:00 +0000

Moira has been working as a hairstylist for over 15 years, but specialised in bridal hairstyling for around half of that time. It's always a joy to work with Moira on a wedding morning, knowing what a calming prescence she has and cheeky sense of humour like me.

As she's a recommended supplier of mine, I wanted to interview her so you know more about her!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world!

I'm doing well thanks, life is happening right now, being a mum of two, building our home and keeping up with my bridal hair work. It's a lot but it's all good.

How did you get into wedding hairstyling, and hairdressing in general?

I have been in the industry for about 20years. I wrote a blog how I got into the industry so you can read all about it here.

What have you looked forward to the most in getting back to work, post-pandemic?

I just looked forward to being comfortable in the space around me, to be able to give a hug to the bride and wish her the best on her wedding day.

What, if anything, have you done differently or have seen done differently?

I don't believe I've done anything differently, but I think I'm just more aware of my surroundings and have even more respect for the people in the room with me.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten+ years I’ve been in business, and I’m sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

Oh wow, I don't know, sometimes I'm not sure which has changed if it's me or the business itself. I think the most thing I am pleased about is the fact that our profession is recognised and more desirable than it used to be.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)

Apart from yourself who I know I'll be seeing again very soon, I would say Sophie from Big Day Blooms. A lovely florist!

What was the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

For me personally was that I got to spend time with my newborn and it forced me to stop work as I normally do not know how to take the time normally. P.S. I'm loving the positive questions.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

I think the one I've received a few times and always appreciated it is when past brides say that I've listened to their request and delivered on them.

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?

A photographer, capturing the day and freezing those precious moments in time are priceless.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

Take a breath, delegate, and remember on the day only you will know if something has actually gone wrong so just forget about out it and continue to enjoy your day.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?

Oh, there has probably been so many that I've erased them from my memory. One I've done a couple times is confuse the sister for the bride as it had been as few months from meeting her at the trial.

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?

I think I would stick to having done it the way I have, mistakes and all as I've learnt and grown each time.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? Doesn't have to be pro kit, just something you think is awesome!

I love Schwartzkopf Osis hair products they are my absolute favourite.

Five kit essentials

Sali Jones — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:32:00 +0000

Investing in the right kit as a makeup artist is so important; when you're working on a number of different faces, you want to be assured that the products in your makeup kit are going to have your back! But as a makeup wearer, noone wants to buy the wrong stuff either. Not in a cost of living crisis, and not when the price of makeup keeps increasing. So I've put together five of my kit essentials that I'll be recommending time and time again, to makeup artists and to makeup lovers alike. And at the bottom of the blog are my discount codes you can use for buying the below products, and 1000's more!

Real Techniques - Expert Face Brush

I've recommended this brush to every single person who's ever had a makeup lesson with me, but it's my ride or die. I recommended it in my Christmas Gifts For Make Up Lovers blog last year too. The brush will blend in any liquid foundation in to the smoothest finish. I challenge anyone to tell me it doesn't work for them!

Too Faced - Born This Way Eyeshadow Palette

To start with, I didn't really get on with this palette but the more I've used it the more I've grown to like it. I think the only reason I didn't like it was it wasn't the palette I'd just run out of that wasn't made anymore, so I was a bit naggy! But actually it's got great colours for all skin tones, and has good consistency.

The Body Shop - Lip and Cheek Stain

Th OG lip tint from The Body Shop was gorgeous to use, but I like this new release even better! There are more colours (Bloom and Feel are favourites) and the consistency is a little thicker. It's good for building up colour on lips and using on cheeks to add in a flush of colour to your cheeks. It's not sticky and feels moisturising on the lips; winner!

Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I've tried numerous eyeshadow primers over the years, and why I stray away from this one I'll never know. It's just the best one out there, and it works on all ages, all eyelids, and under all eyeshadow colours. It keeps your eyeshadow looking vibrant and crease free all day, and long into the night! You only need a small amount too.

Illamasqua - Matte Veil Primer

The best matte primer I've ever tried, ever. Oil control in the cutest packaging with a little spoon, which is an accurate 'serving' suggestion size. You only need a small amount to cover the areas you need a bit of oil control, and let it dry in before you apply foundation over the top.

To get 20% and often more from thousands of LookFantastic products, use my code LFTFSALIMOO.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Stephanie

Sali Jones — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:55:00 +0000

Steph and Sam got legally wed in November 2020, but decided to postpone their big wedding to 2021 so that they could celebrate with all their family and friends freely. They did their legal bit in their local registry office and then held their wedding reception and informal ceremony at The Old Vicarage, just a few days shy of their legal anniversary. Getting to be a part of both of their days was an utter honour, especially as I've known Steph for over 10 years.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged-August 2018, should have been married November 2020, but COVID put a stop to that. Finally had our day November 2021. Only really took 1 year to sort, I'm very organised 😀

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
The Old Vicarage, Southwell. Dress, Celebrating Curves, Sheffield. Flowers, Bennington Blooms. Cake, Southwell Cakery. Makeup Artist, you of course! Photographer, Adam Elijah Photography. Band, Stixx. Harp, Christine Palethorpe.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Very good friend of my sister for years.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I wanted to feel special and look amazing. Both boxes where ticked.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Perfect, relaxing and informative.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Have it last longer than the day!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Don't stress, take a moment after dinner just the two of you, and choose good suppliers that come recommended.

"Sali was my first and only choice when it came to choosing my makeup artist.
We unexpectedly chose the year of covid to get married. When we didn't know if it would be happening, Sali was always positive, and when we had to push our wedding by a year she booked me in straight away.
My trial was amazing. I didn't know what I wanted but I looked amazing, she knew exactly what to do.
The morning of our wedding we arrived at TOV and she was ready to go. She started by making my 2 bridesmaids look beautiful. None of us wear a lot of makeup, but we looked amazing. We looked like us but the best version we could be.
She thoughtfully gives you a little package which has all the essentials in it; Tissues, blotting paper, mints, lipstick and brush, and some undereye pads for the next morning.
Sali isn't just a MUA, she is a friend who goes through it all with you.
She makes you relaxed and confident for when you walk down the aisle on the best day of your life x"

If you're looking for your 2023/2024 wedding makeup artist, get in touch for a bespoke quote.

Photographer: Adam Elijah Photography
Wedding dress: Celebrating Curves

Venue: The Old Vicarage, Southwell

Interview: Kickass Gatherings

Sali Jones — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 06:23:00 +0000

You might recognise Louise on my blog, as she's been featured a couple of times now - both as a bride and on my International Women's Day blog this year! This time she's here in her professional capacity as a a professional Humanist celebrant, aka Kickass Gatherings!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world!

Things are pretty good, thanks! I've just returned from a wonderful trip to Sri Lanka and now I'm ready and raring to get started on another great year of weddings.

How did you get into celebranting?

A friend had a celebrant wedding and that was my first experience of one. I thought it looked like and incredibly fun and interesting job, and I was looking for a way out of teaching (isn't everyone?!). I decided to look into celebrant training, and was just setting up for my big first year of weddings in 2020... but obviously it didn't quite work out that way!

What have you looked forward to the most in getting back to work, post-pandemic?

I was just looking forward to getting started! It was so disheartening to have to go back to teaching during the pandemic and deal with constant uncertainty and rescheduling of my early bookings. One of my early 2020 weddings should have been my 3rd, but rescheduled until May 2022 and ended up being my 25th wedding instead!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)

Lauren (Plaits and Pin Curls) is incredible at hair but also an all-round fabulous person who is a great ambassador for dyslexic people who want to run their own business. She also goes into schools and salons to share her skills! I also love photographer Andrew Heeley AKA King of Candids and video person Lou of Rather Lovely Films (another one who escaped a life of English Teaching...) and doing a wedding with the two of them together would be the dream!

What was the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

I think lockdown did actually help raise the profile of celebrant weddings a little. It also normalised the idea of 'doing the legal bit separately' because there are lots of couples who had a small restricted legal ceremony with masks, social distancing and limited numbers but who then wanted to go all-out and have the full wedding day experience once the world became more normal again.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?
The absolute best comments are when guests ask how long I have been a friend of the couple. The ceremony planning process with a celebrant means that we really do become like friends (it helps that I get to ask lots of nosy questions about their relationship) and for it to come across on the day like I've known the couple for years is such a massive compliment.

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?

Fun. A celebrant. A dog. Ideally, all three.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

Do what YOU want and what feels right for you. Embrace your weirdness and celebrate your unique relationship. Bin off any meaningless traditions and focus on having fun. (And the best way to do all of those things is to have a celebrant ceremony. Just saying')

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?

There was the time a dog did a poo right under the arbor mid ceremony. Although that would be more embarrassing for the dog than for me and to be honest he didn't seem the slightest bit bothered!

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?

It sounds v v cheesy but anything I think was a mistake or that I would have done differently has ended up being a positive thing because it has led me to where I am today, absolutely loving what I do for a living and working with only the most fabulous couples (I think I just made myself a little bit sick...)

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? Doesn't have to be pro kit, just something you think is awesome!

I love using Bleach London Curious Orange to keep my highlighter-orange hair at maximum vibrancy, and my Illamasqua contour stick (as influenced by Sali) which manages to make me appear to have some actual cheekbones occasionally.

Read about Louise's 2019 wedding here. If you want to book her for your wedding, she's one of my recommend suppliers!

Are you planning your wedding? My 2024 books are open, and I have availability for late 2023. Let's talk about your face :)

Pin Up Wedding Makeup

Sali Jones — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:21:00 +0000

Vintage wedding makeup and pin up wedding makeup have been hotly requested styles of makeup requested of me in the 12+ years I've been doing weddings. For a good few years between 2010 and 2016, I was one half of Flashes and Lashes; a vintage-style makeover photoshoot collaboration between myself and Luna Photography. I didn't have any specific interest in vintage but I think because of this experience it's become almost one of my signature looks with wedding makeup. It's a timeless look that suits so many people, guaranteed to be elegant and sophisticated while still able to amp it up to be as glamourous as you want!

Each decade is different and has specifics that can be inter changed depending on how vintage you want to be or if you want a specific era to be nodded to. The retro era is described as being 1920 to 1960 but has quite defining features, depending on how authentic you'd like to be.

My personal favourites are a matte smokey eye, with just a hint of darker colour in the crease of the eyesocket - but keep it light and bright (and certainly matte) on the lid. A slick of mascara is a must to define your lashes but keep them thin and seperate; no clumps. It's reported that Audrey Hepburn used to use a pin to separate her eyelashes, but a clean lash wand will help do that.

Team this with a slick of black cat eyeliner. Get practicing those black cat eyeliner flicks! Here are some of my favourite eyeliner recommendations if you're in the look out for a new one.

As for skin, no skin back in the day would've really been described as dewy or fresh, so a powder would've been a staple in your makeup bag to keep shine at bay. The littlest hint of blush was used to freshen up the face, or a good pinch of the cheeks.

Last but not least; lipstick. A red lipstick is the epitome of vintage makeup when you Google it. I'd go for a matte red over anything satin, but at the end of the day, it's your face - you go for what you want! Whatever lipstick colour you choose on your wedding day, I'll get you a full sized one to pop in your bag to touch up with throughout the day. It's a nice keepsake for your wedding from little ole me, and people love to use it for anniversaries or special occasions. I love spotting people wearing their wedding lipstick on Instagram selfies! Here are some of my favourite red lipsticks.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Melanie

Sali Jones — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 01:06:00 +0000

Mel and Gawin finally got to say their "I dos!" in January 2022, having had to reschedule from October 2020 and February 2021. She married her beau Gawin at Morley Hayes, in Derbyshire.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
NYE 2018/19. Original date set for October 2020 as we knew we wanted Autumn/Winter but thought 2019 was too soon financially. Covid meant we were delayed twice, eventually settling on Jan 2022. We did loads of big planning by end of 2019, then hardly anything (other than date changes) until mid-2021.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Morley Hayes as a venue - Gemma showed us round and was an absolute star - we requested her as our MC on the day and she was fab. She “got” us straight away! The rest was a slower process, a few recommendations (inc Sali!), a few found at wedding fairs (lovely Leanne from Stately Brides, Belper) and some contributions from some very talented friends (hair/stationary). They all had to be taken on the journey with us as we moved dates, and requirements changed in some cases.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Recommendation from a friend who said she was really worried about having her make up done, but you put her completely at ease. She was so right - you were exactly the right person for me. I didn’t really know how to describe what I wanted but you found it. The bride I saw in the mirror took my breath away - she was like a levelled up version of me haha.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Because your work looked gorgeous, my friend told me how calm you helped her feel, and I wanted to treat myself to having it done properly. Would never have done it myself because I know it wouldn’t have been enough to suit the outfit and occasion and I wanted to feel fabulous!! Hearing about your calming influence, and seeing the amazing variety of styles in your website/socials made the decision for me.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Great - a great conversation, totally honest and at ease and felt amazing. You made sense of my indecision - I wanted me but amplified, and you got that!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

No, nothing. It was perfect.

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Meet suppliers and go with your gut, aim to book the big stuff early, have an idea of what feel your want to the day - what are the things you really care about and the things that are just nice to have. Accept that not everything might go to plan, but that’s ok. Decide what matters to the 2 of you before you start looking - it will create some “knockout” questions for venues, so you don’t fall in love with somewhere that can’t meet your needs. Also, try and ignore the noise and focus on the details that mean something to you both. Oh, and as a bride, expect to be asked what your groom is wearing! Apparently some establishments expect a groom who just shows up. This helped us rule out a lot of suits suppliers until we found one who was totally focussed on my fiancé and what he wanted (Ryan at Slaters - should have put that in the supplier bit!)

Venue: Morley Hayes
Photographer: Peter Redhead

Hair: Emma Bowden

Interview: Red Robin Cakery

Sali Jones — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 06:14:00 +0000

Red Robin Cakery is ran by the lovely Sophie, who's been baking for nearly seven years. I've only met Sophie once (during lockdown when she was creating incredible brownie boxes!) but we always seem to end up having weddings together and realise later in the day on Instagram when I see which venue she's been to drop off a cake that morning!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world!
Things are good! Excited that weddings have started gearing up again and I have some cool designs in the diary for this year - can't wait to get started.

How did you get into creating wedding cakes, and baking in general?
I have always baked since being a kid. My mum is a great baker so I would always be helping her out. I started baking for fun while I was at university (doing criminology - very different to my current job!), and then started Red Robin Cakery as a bit of a side hustle to make a little bit of money. Wedding cakes were a natural progression from this once I went full-time with the business, and I have been doing them for around 6 years now.

What have you looked forward to the most in getting back to work, post-pandemic?

Being back as a part of people's special day has been amazing. We meet so many lovely people from the couples, other suppliers, venue staff - the list is never-ending. And nothing will beat getting a message from the couple saying how much they loved the cake - it will always make our day!

What, if anything, have you done differently or have seen done differently?
When I started in weddings, I tried to be quite casual and social with how my business appeared. I think that has become much more the norm now with Instagram etc, but at the time I started, I felt like it was a little different to others around me.
I suppose the things I have done differently are all a result of that, getting bookings from couples who wanted to go a little outside the box with their cake/s and mix it up.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten+ years I’ve been in business, and I’m sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?
Unhelpful, I know, but I wouldn't say there was much I miss. Since I started in weddings, I have found my own style of cake decorating and also my own style of running a business and I'm lucky to be able to do that. There are a lot of wedding cake trends that have passed but I can't say I miss them much haha! I'm so pleased that people are starting to bring more of their style into their weddings and doing something just for them instead of what they 'should' do. Everything is a lot less regimented and every type of couple can find a style of supplier to suit them and a format of wedding day to suit them too.

What was the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

My new unit for sure! Lockdown was tough for business, but the wedding season when we were back was going to be impossible to complete from my home kitchen. So, it was time to take the leap into getting a unit and I'm so glad we did!

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

I always love it when people compliment the taste. Wedding cakes can get a bad reputation for tasting rubbish, so I love it when people tell me that their guests had commented on how tasty it was.

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?

Cake - obviously! But jokes aside, whatever you both love. Whether that's food, cake, music, flowers. You do you!

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

Do it for yourselves. Don't spend too much time thinking about what other people would like to see at your wedding and do what you would both love. Pick suppliers you trust to deliver something great and don't get bogged down in the details, just enjoy the experience.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?
Once, my car started making an almighty noise on the way to a wedding a fair distance away. Turns out it had run out of oil and I had to top up the oil right outside the venue while guests started arriving. Thankfully, I have a new car now!

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?
I wish I had found my niche quicker and stuck to my guns to only take on orders for the sort of cakes I enjoy and am good at making. There has been a lot of sleepless nights worrying about certain aspects of cakes that could have easily been avoided.
Oh, and purchasing air con... I wish that had happened much sooner!

More than a makeup artist

Sali Jones — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:55:00 +0000

As a make-up artist, it's my job to ensure that your face is picture-perfect on your wedding day.

What you probably won't see on your wedding morning is me watching your face and your body language. I'll watch your expressions and what your face is saying when you're not speaking, see how you're breathing and if you're doing a panic. What you say, how you say it, and what you don't say are all really important to me to make sure that you're ok.

I don't just listen to your words.

I watch your face.

I stare into your eyes.

I check out your body language.

I match your tone.

I make note of your use of words.

I hear what you don't say.

I interpret your silence.

More importantly... I trust my intuition.

Along with that though, I also want to help you prepare for your day; I'll do buttonholes for whoever needs them, do up your shoes, can help you into your wedding dress, dry flower bouquets when necessary, fan you when you're too warm, re-fill prosecco glasses and tell you to eat something! I know you're organised for the best day of your life, I just want to help keep everything running smoothly so you can sit back and enjoy your day - as you should!

Over the years I've popped champange bottles for clients, done a quick tidy around to make sure everything looks a little neater for your photos, put plasters on the back of feet, provided countless safefy pins, put fiddly jewellery on, taught you how to take selfies in the best light and with good angles, held babies, sewed a button back on a shirt, taken guests to the church when there was a miscount of available seats in a minibus, done up stockings, crawled under dresses for garters and suspender belts - you name it, I've done it on a wedding morning!

After over 12 years in the wedding business, I know how wedding mornings tick and I know what can stress you out, so you can be reassured that I'm doing what I can to bring you a slice of calm (and absolute hilarious banter) on your wedding morning to start your day off the right way.

I'll always be professional but I'm guaranteed to make you laugh at something inappropriate and lower the tone. I'll poss be a bit sweary, and I'll absolutely talk to you about emergency wees and last minute poos. I'll tell you "pubes not boobs" and you'll laugh, and be thankful that I know "men are on the left, because women are ALWAYS right".

Having your makeup done is a treat, and you deserve that luxury time after all that wedding planning.

So please; sit, relax, and feel safe in the hands of Ms Moo, knowing that your face is going to last as long as your smile does!

(All photos by Camera Hannah, one of my recommended suppliers)

If you're thinking of booking me as your wedding makeup artist, get in touch with your date and let's talk about your big day. My 2023/2024 books are open! I can't wait to hear from you!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Mel

Sali Jones — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:17:00 +0000

Mel and Ian got married in October 2021 at Lower Damgate Farm in Ashbourne. They had orginally planned for October 2020 but when lcokdowns got extended, they bumped their wedding day by a year and decided to keep all toes and fingers crossed for the day they had always wanted, just 12 months later that originally planned.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged June 2019, married October 2021 (initially October 2020 but postponed in July 2020 to October, so total planning time 2 years 5 months!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
I booked Ms Moo early on as she'd been recommended by a friend! Also booked our photographer Foxtail Photography as we loved her Instagram account. Venue also booked early on, Lower Damage Farm, because it was 100% us and had alpacas!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Found you on social media after a recommendation from a friend with similar tastes to me (so I knew her make up artist choice could be trusted!!)

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Never considered doing my own - I'm not a fool!! I booked you because you'd done such a fab job with my friend Emma and were so lovely when I initially enquired, it was like chatting to a friend :)

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Lovely - I felt like you got what I was asking for without me even explaining it very well. I felt relaxed, comfortable and completely trusted you

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nope! Loved every single thing. It lasted beautifully all day/night and and I felt like a goddess - not a common occurrence for me!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Book Sali immediately - you won't regret it! In general though, seriously don't sweat the small stuff. You will have the most magical day just because you're spending it with your favourite people.

"Utterly incredible... Sali is the BEST person to have around on your wedding day. Not only is she super skilled and made us all look beautiful, but she made us laugh, she sang with us, kept us calm, made sure we'd been to the loo, & just generally looked after us all during the morning of the wedding. Communication throughout the booking process was impeccable, including postponing due to Covid. The trial beforehand allayed any fears I may have had about being "Ronsealed" - she listened to me and took my skin tone/preferences into account before using her expertise to make me look better than I could have imagined. Our make up lasted flawlessly all day without any touch ups. I will be recommending her high and low until the cows come home!!
I honestly can't imagine a better make up artist for your wedding or any occasion - book her immediately!"

If you're looking for your 2023/2024 wedding makeup artist, get in touch for a bespoke quote.

Photographer: Foxtail Photography
Wedding dress: Essence of Australia from Serenity Brides in Weedon

Hair: Faye Kenyon Hair

Venue: Lower Damgate Farm

Interview: Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing

Sali Jones — Tue, 23 May 2023 05:14:00 +0000

I'm bringing back my recommended supplier interviews! There's still a few on my recommended list that I haven't interviewed, so I figured I'd catch a few more for 2023. Starting with the lovely Robyn aka Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing. I wrote about her for International Women's Day too as she's making great waves both in a hairstyling way, winning National awards, and for the LGBTQ+ community in setting up All In Love; an inclusive wedding fair in Lincolnshire. Here's a bit more about her and her business!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world!

I’m really good thankyou! Still on cloud 9 after winning National Wedding Hairstylist of the Year at The Wedding Industry Awards! It’s been a career goal of mine for a long time so it’s so surreal but the best feeling, it’s an award voted for by my couples and judged by industry experts so it really means a lot, personally and professionally. And non-business related, we’re currently planning our 10 year wedding anniversary trip where we’ll be dropping into Las Vegas to renew our vows! So excited to get a little taste of wedding planning again!

How did you get into wedding hairstyling, and hairdressing in general?

I trained to be a hairdresser when I left school at 16, so 18 years ago (that makes me feel very old!) I loved the job and always enjoyed putting hair up, but when I left the salon 7 years ago, I really discovered my passion for wedding hair and could focus all my efforts into that and it grew from there. I still do a few regulars for cuts and colours and they’re all so patient while they wait for appointments in between all the weddings and trials!

What have you looked forward to the most in getting back to work, post-pandemic?

100% just weddings and everything to do with them. Namely actually working on real people and not my plastic heads, Dave and Barry haha! Post lockdowns was really a time for me to look forwards and made me realise what I was looking forward to going back to and what not so much. I could not WAIT to be part of my first wedding going back so cemented exactly what I needed to focus my time and energy on.

What, if anything, have you done differently or have seen done differently?

I definitely seen a shift in peoples businesses since lockdown as I think a lot of people used it as an opportunity to make changes to do more of what they love and it’s been lovely to see!

The industry has changed a lot in the ten+ years I’ve been in business, and I’m sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I love the wedding industry, the comradery between suppliers, the fact it’s a whole industry based around celebrating love and its made up of lots of small businesses geared up to create peoples perfect day, it’s the best! But also I’m really not a fan of the pressure that social media has put onto couples for everything to be “insta perfect” to the detriment of finances and mental health. I love a trend but only if you genuinely love it! Social media is great to get ideas and be inspired but you shouldn’t let it dictate your day! I do love however how much more inclusive the industry is striving to be. We have a long way to go to transform such a heteronormative industry that is literally built on the tradition of a male and female getting married, but it’s heading in the right direction and so great to see!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about.

How do I pick just one!? I know so many incredible suppliers that are all smashing it for different reasons. So I am going to take a mile and pick 2! Zoe of The Cake Queen Lincoln is amazing. Not only are her cakes amazing (I know first hand) she’s the loveliest soul and works so hard. Not only does she run her amazing cake business but she has a business geared up to help other cake makers market themselves and develop a successful business. Oh and she was also a national finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards this year!

Secondly Amy at Bellamme Bridal is incredible. She set up her wedding dress business in lockdown, delivering dresses to brides to try on in their home so they would have a dress for their big day. She’s built up her business from there, working so hard and being her lovely self, giving brides an amazing dress buying experience. And she has the most stunning dresses! Oh and she also got Highly Commended at regionals of The Wedding Industry Awards! Both absolute girl bosses!

What was the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

Lockdown actually really helped my business in a way. I had time to practice and develop my skills, increase my social media presence and make online connections with other suppliers. That time actually proved invaluable!

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

I think my favourite feedback isn’t necessarily what anyone has said directly but the reaction when I show someone their hair in the mirror and they love it, the look on their face, (or sometimes the tears!) literally means the world! Knowing I’m the reason they feel amazing and confident is priceless!

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?

Pizza! Closely followed by B*Witched C’est La Vie on the playlist, but food always wins!

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

You do you. To a certain extent yes, you do want to keep others in mind and want everyone to have a good time. But it’s your day and you’re paying, so do what makes you and your partner happy and is a reflection of you as a couple. As long as people are well fed and not bored, they don’t care, they’re there to celebrate your love with you!

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?

I once didn’t recognise a bride when I turned up. It was early and I was absolutely mortified!!! Thankfully the bride was an absolute star and laughed it off and it’s never happened since but it haunts me when I’m trying to sleep haha!!

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?

I wish I’d found my passion within hairdressing earlier, but that’s genuinely it! I’m proud of my journey as a stylist.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? Doesn't have to be pro kit, just something you think is awesome!

I love the moroccanoil range, but the treatment oil is amazing! Just a little bit run through the ends of your hair after it’s been washed nourishes and hydrates the hair and keeps it looking amazing. It comes in original and a light version for finer hair. Definitely a haircare game changer!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Heather

Sali Jones — Tue, 09 May 2023 06:37:00 +0000

Next up on my interview series is the lovely Heather! You may already recognise her from my blog last year, 10 Reasons To Choose Ms Moo For Your Wedding Day. And no, it's not a blog I wrote or even asked her to write! The blog came about after she wrote me the most gorgeous Google review. Heather and Rob had two incredible wedding days; the first was their legal date in October 2020 where they were still under restrictions, and then in September 2022 where they had an almighty party at the Pheasantry Brewery with all their friends and family! Here's some more from Heather...

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

We got engaged in 2018 and married in 2020 and 2022… the initial planning was only a couple of years but covid had other ideas! 😂

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
The venue and photographer! Ed Godden an all round great guy and camera wizard! (he's a recommended supplier)

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Recommendation by Jo Way and then looked you up on Instagram 😍

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Fell in love with the colours you use and the blending on your brides eyes all while keeping them looking naturally beautiful!

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Great!! You put me at ease straight away, were easy to talk to and listened to what I wanted. I enjoyed it so much that I came back for another 😂

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nothing! And all my bridesmaids and mum looked incredible too.

Any advice for someone else getting married?
If you want a chilled morning, with a make-up artist who goes above and beyond, gives top tips and helps everything run smoothly then pick Sali!

"Sali has been a dream to have as part of my wedding team over the past 2 years! Through covid postponements and multiple trials I feel like we've got to know each other well and I genuinely loved having her there on the morning of my wedding."

Read all of Heather's review here, which I put into a blog because it was so well written and made me a bit emotional!

How to beat wedding stress

Sali Jones — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 06:18:00 +0000

Apparently the three most stressful things that can happen in your life are moving house, having a child, and getting married. And yet some people do all three in 12-18 months which makes me quite dizzy. Buying my house last summer during peak wedding season was enough to make my head swim, and I didn't even have to move house!

No matter how exciting planning a wedding can be, and it really can be stressful, these stressful situations require some time off. It's a big life event, and you're already balance many things that come with life - work, relationships, running a house, trying to have down time. Don't let yourself be the one you put to the bottom of the pile.

When it's getting the best of you, and it can, remember to give yourself a bit more love. Here's some of the best advice I've learnt over the last 10+ years from brides about how to wind down when it's all getting too much.

Book your engagement shoot! If you've not done this yet, it's a great excuse to cuddle up with one another and laugh at one another. Your photographer will guide you into some cute poses if you're not sure on what you're doing, and it'll be great practice before the big day. It'll be great spending time together and only focusing on one another.

Close your spreadsheet or to-do list, and invoke some self-care. Be this as a couple or individually, do all the self-care tasks that you could imagine! A bath, hot chocolate, mani/pedi, cake, favourite film, face mask; I once made a list of self-care ideas, which you can find here.

When you've booked your hair and makeup trials, make sure you have a plan to enjoy after. I always ask clients what they are doing after their makeup, and some have dinner or drinks with friends. If you've not arranged anything, I'll always tell you to go to the pub for tea! I don't mind if you need to say "Sali said I have to test my makeup" if you need an excuse ;) Talking of which...

Date! Go out and date each other again. Taking some dedicated time off to just be together, and try leave the wedding talk at home. Maybe you could go cinema, for dinner out, or maybe just for a coffee and cake. Maybe throw yourselves into a new activity and go for something you've not done before - axe throwing or an art class! Remind each other why you're marrying the other, and what you love about each other.

(photos by Charlotte Jopling Photography)

Alice's wedding review:

"Sali did my makeup for my wedding (and my girls makeup) and was an utter star 🌟 From the trial all the way through to the day she kept me informed and calm. The makeup itself was completely stunning and lasted the entire day! She was also a complete gem and calmed me down when I started to get a bit angsty before the ceremony. Could not have asked for better!"

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Rebecca

Sali Jones — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 05:45:00 +0000

Rebecca and Andy were married in June 2022 in the very lovely Abbey Farm, in Lincolnshire. I'd never been up that way before but I do love a roadtrip and it was a lovely day for it! I'm always happy to travel for my clients, just let me know where we're going - have car and passport, and will travel!

It was lovely to work with two of my recommended suppliers too! The lovely Pin Up Curl on hair, and then Andy from SaywellHQ on photography duties. You can see all my recommended suppliers here.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged August 2020 and married June 2022. It took a year and bit to plan the wedding because we couldn't properly view venues for a few months

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
Venue and then catering! El Kantina for catering, the food was amazing! I was so full I couldn't eat a pizza at the evening do!

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Google (search: Wedding Artists in Nottingham)

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I read reviews that weren't on your website and they were all glowing and I liked what you included in the price! Doing my own make up was not an option, I'm terrible at it xD

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Relaxed! I don't know much about make up but you you talked me through it and helped me and Emma chose the best colours and styles!!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

Nope! Glad I did the trial though!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
It has to be what you want and don't be afraid to speak up if it's not!

Rebecca left me this lovely review on Google:

"I'm not one who wears makeup a lot of the time so I wasn't really sure what I wanted for my wedding. Sali really made me feel at ease, during the trial and on my wedding day! The trial was great, we went through what I would normally wear when I did wear make up, what sort of colours I wanted and gave me some really good advice (especially about moisturisering, which I have continued to do!). On the wedding day, Sali was great! Really enjoyed the morning getting ready and that shade of lipstick is defo my colour! Still keep most of the touch up pack in my handbag today! Thank you Sali for making me feel beautiful on my wedding day!"

If you'd like to find out my availability or discuss your wedding makeup, get in touch here.

Photography: Saywell HQ

Hair: Pin Up Curl

Venue: Abbey Farm Weddings

Look Fantastic

Sali Jones — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 05:13:00 +0000

I've been waiting ages for Look Fantastic to set me up with a discount code, but it's finally happened and now I can get you all 20% off loads of stuff there - hooray!

Includes all sorts of amazing brands such as Ardell, Illamasqua, NYX, Olaplex, Too Faced, Real Techniques, Urban Decay...

“LFTFSALIMOO”

It’s often 20% off and sometimes even more! Let em know what goodies you get. Here's my top five items to get you started...

NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette - Warm Neutrals

A lush palette for creating gorgeous neutral eye looks. Experimenting with colours that feel safe will level up your eye makeup skills!

Illamasqua - Beyond Veil Primer

The most gorgeous inner glow from makeup comes from Beyond Veil! Apply a little around your cheekbones/temples when on holiday (or if you've got a little tan) for the most beautiful shimmer.

Morphe - Vegan Pro Series Brush Set

Gorgeous 8-piece brush set including face brushes and eye brushes. All made from synthetic bristles, these brushes are fully vegan and fully awesome.

Urban Decay - All Nighter Setting Spray

The absolute OG setting spray - accept no imitations. I've tried so many and this is still my absolute favourite.

The Flat Lay Co. Drawstring Bag - Leopard Print

The ultimate makeup bag ISN'T a bag! This massive flat lay item (in fancy leopard print) is brilliant, as you lay it flat and put all your makeup in it, and then scoop it all in afterwards. Wherever you are, all your makeup is kept in one 'bag' and can instantly be laid out wherever you are making it much easier to see all your kit and apply it logically.

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Philippa

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:46:00 +0000

Philippa and Peter got married in July 2022 at The Old Vicarage in Southwell. A gorgeous venue, but one this time I wouldn't be visiting! Philippa chose to get ready at her parents home and then travel over to The Old Vicarage to get into her dress, and then have some time taking photos. I love it when brides do it their way! I've also known Philippa for around 10 years so it was lovely to catch up with her, some of her family that I've previously met too, and one of my past brides. Here's what she said to my interview questions!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Engaged 25.09.2020, Married 29.07.2022. We didn’t book a venue and start planning until May 2021 because 1. Pandemic and 2. Fresh baby born in Nov 2020. So about a year to plan.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
You! Then Ruby Lou’s cake company (best cake you’ve ever tasted), and then photographers I think.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Pretty sure I found you at a house party or pub some time around 2011… (this is 100% true, but who know where/when!)

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Because you are the best! I never considered doing my own because I am just not as good as a professional and I didn’t want the stress on the morning. I know a few make up artists from working in the beauty industry but I prefer your laid back vibe and I have seen examples of your work on Facebook and Instagram for years and I know you can do all different styles so it wouldn’t just be a standard “wedding make up” that didn’t take mine or my bridesmaids’ preferences into account.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
I wish I had been able to plan some sort of night out after because I felt really glam!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
No I loved it.

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Spend the money on things that take the stress out of the day. Don’t be doing your own hair and make up and don’t be letting your bridesmaids do theirs. Make it so that you’re not ‘in charge’ of anything on the day. Delegate tasks to trustworthy people and then let it all go so you can enjoy the day.

Phillipa left me this lovely review on Google:

"I was so pleased that Sali was available to do my wedding make up - she was the first supplier I contacted when I started planning my wedding because she is the BEST make up artist around and gets booked up fast!

Sali really listens to what you want (and can help guide you if you don’t know what you want!), and is happy to adapt things if you change your mind.

Apart from being excellent at make up, Sali is also just the kind of person you want around on your wedding morning - calm, funny, helpful and attentive. She did make up for me, my three bridesmaids and my mum, and they were all so happy with their look. The make up lasted all day, and I felt like a princess. I don’t wear full make up very often since the pandemic and it was nice to feel properly ‘done up’ for a change, without feeling like it was too much.

I would absolutely recommend Sali, I would give her more stars if I could!"

If you're looking for your 2023/2024 wedding makeup artist, get in touch for a bespoke quote.

Photographer: Oehlers Photography
Wedding dress: Wed2B
Hair: Hair by Antonia @MychelleCarolineHair

Venue: The Old Vicarage Boutique

International Womens Day - Wedding Suppliers

Sali Jones — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:33:00 +0000

Next week is International Women's Day (it's 8th March) and I'm here to celebrate all the incredible women in my area of the wedding industry who drive forward and lift others up. With the theme of #EmbraceEquity here's some of the my personal favourites within my industry that I want to sing about, and are doing things that should be shouted about.

Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing

Robyn is a Lincolnshire based wedding hairdresser who travels all around the East Midlands for wedding hair. She's very sought after, and it's no wonder why - she's a joy to be around on a wedding morning, and I love knowing that I'm going to be working with her! She's also recently won The Wedding Industry Awards 2023 in both the Regional (East Midlands) AND National awards - I'm so proud of her! She's also been working hard behind the scenes in setting up All In Love - an inclusive wedding fair in Lincolnshire for the LGBTQ+ community! Creating a safe space for couples to plan their weddings with recommended suppliers who are inclusive or LGBTQ+ allies or queer owned. I can't wait to see what the year ahead holds for Robyn, or All In Love!

Pat A Cake Studio

I've known Lauren for nearly 10 years now through her work at BODY; a body dysmorphia charity based in Derbyshire who I volunteered with as a social media manager and befriender. Lauren's an entrepreneur at heart and started baking while on maternity leave and has managed to grow Pat A Cake; a successful cakery business in Spondon, Derbyshire with her first bricks and mortar shop opening in September 2021. She champions other local businesses, shouting about them on social media, setting up community events, and supporting other local charities with her baking business.

Kickass Gatherings

Kickass Gatherings is Louise - a Derbyshire based wedding celebrant! I know the lovely Louise from being HER wedding makeup artist back in 2019, and she's since worked to qualify with Humanists UK and began a new career as a celebrant; zipping all over the country to perform your celebrations! She works with her couples before your wedding day to put together the most wonderful ceremony that celebrates you both, curating a special moment for you and your guests to revel in, to celebrate, to remember for all times - it's truly a magical thing!

Kim Williams Weddings

At the beginning of 2022, Kim put our a social media post that shook the wedding industry as a whole. This one post caused some great conversations that needed to be had across the wedding industry about how some men can make women feel while we're simply doing our jobs. This has been a great catalyst for many wedding suppliers to include harassment clauses in their contracts for wedding days. An updated post at the beginning of 2023 has shown how much has changed in this last year, but there's still a long way to go. Keep being a part of that conversation; I'd suggest you follow Kim for being an instigator of these conversations and for being a truly inclusive legend. And boss photographer!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Danielle

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:34:00 +0000

Later this month it's going to be Danielle and Kenton's 8 year anniversary so what better time to share my little interview with Danielle! They got married at Hackwood Farm in 2014.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged February 2013, Married February 2014 - didn't take long to plan as we kept it simple.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
We booked Hackwood Farm first as we loved it - but they didn't do wedding receptions at this time so we needed to know if it was viable. Then I knew that I wanted Sali for make-up, Lucille's Locks for hair, and Luna Photography for photography from the start so it was just a case of securing these amazing individuals.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
I had already worked with Sali at a charity photo shoot and she was AMAZING with all of our clients (who were struggling with eating difficulties and body image issues) - I fell in love with her and her approach there and then and knew we would work together again!

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I knew that Sali was THE ONE to make me feel safe and comfortable on my wedding day. I don't wear make-up generally so I never would have done my own. Wearing make-up was unfamiliar to me so I needed someone who I trusted to be gentle with me and help me feel confident.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
I loved the opportunity to have a trial at Sali's studio. It was a lovely trip out - I even booked for Sali and Lucille to do hair and make-up for a hen party photo shoot with Emma Neale (Luna Photography). This meant I got a second go at being comfortable in make-up like this. Sali was brilliant at helping me decide what I wanted as I had no real idea!

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
Nope - nothing - it was great!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Have someone like Sali there who can not only do your make-up but help coordinate the getting ready. There was no stress, no fuss, it was relaxed and fun. We planned our wedding around us - we had no first dance, no speeches, and finished for 6pm so we could get some quality time to spend together after such a hectic day. I was so glad that it had such a great start - and that was mainly down to my dream team of Sali, Lucille, and Emma!

Venue: Hackwood Farm
Photographer: Luna Photography

Hair: Lucille's Locks

The Best Red Lipsticks

Sali Jones — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:39:00 +0000

With Valentine's Day looming ahead, all I've noticed on TV recently is red lipsticks so I figured I'd write about some of my favourites!

Fenty Beauty - Uncensored in Stunna Lip Paint*

This stuff is SO punchy. It's a liquid lipstick so you'll want a super steady hand to apply, and I do find that while I like the doe foot applicator, it has a LOT of product on it so you're going to want to scrape off as much excess as you can before you put it near your lips. The colour pay off is so good though! I've a few of these Stunna lip paints; both Uncensored and Uncuffed are my favourites, the latter being really popular with bridesmaid's this year who've wanted a lipstick that stays put. They are really lightweight and soft matte too, so you don't feel like your lips are drying out.

Illamasqua - Maneater in Ultramatte

This has been a staple in my wedding makeup kit for the longest time now. It's from their Ultramatte range which means it's matte AF, and won't budge for the longest time. If you've got dry lips you'll want to exfoliate and moisturise them before applying this, and any other matte lipstick. It's such a proper good red, and is more blue-based than orange. It's blood red essentially! I love it, and I think it makes anyone wearing it feel incredibly fierce. Maneater reminds me of a line from the musical Kinky Boots; "RED is the colour of sex... Red is the colour sex, and fear, and danger, and signs that say "DO NOT ENTER. All my favourite things in life."

If you've not seen Kinky Boots, I'd recommend it. And I'd recommend getting Maneater too!

(remember you can get 20% off on Look Fantastic using my code, LFTFSALIMOO)

VE Cosmetics - Blood Moon in Liquid Matte Lipstick

I bought this just before Christmas and wore it over the holidays. It's so nice on your lips and believe me when they say it's smudge-proof! I had to use an oil based cleanser to remove it from my lips... wow! A great 'small' business creating all vegan and cruelty-free makeup within the UK. Definitely check them out!

(Sadly VE Cosmetics have had to stop making their liquid matte lipsticks due to increased costs and this shade isn't available now, but it's worth mentioning; there are quite a few other colours still in stock an on sale though; I really like the look of Danger, Full Moon, and Chocoholic!)

(Sadly VE Cosmetics have had to stop making their liquid matte lipsticks due to increased costs so this might not even be available for much longer, but it's worth mentioning; there's quite a few other colours still in stock an on sale. I really like the look of Danger, Full Moon, and Chocoholic!)

What are your favourite red lipsticks? Let me know!

*If you purchase the Fenty lipstick above using this link, I will make a small amount of commission as an affiliate link.

Hitched Wedding Awards 2023

Sali Jones — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 15:32:00 +0000

Well, this is a bit lovely isn’t it! I've won an award at the Hitched Wedding Awards 2023.

Ms Moo Make Up won the Hitched.co.uk Wedding Awards 2023 and has been proclaimed one of the best wedding professionals in the UK.

This year marks the second edition of the prestigious Hitched Wedding Awards. Over 18,000 wedding vendors registered on the Hitched.co.uk platform were given equal chances of winning. 2022 saw a boom in weddings after the pandemic; this year's edition serves as a tribute to the hard work we've seen in the industry. Ms Moo Make Up is one of the Hitched Wedding Awards 2023 winners in the Beauty, Hair & Make Up category, making them one of the most recommended professionals by newlyweds on Hitched.co.uk.

Ms Moo Make Up, received a total of 35 reviews on their online storefront on Hitched.co.uk and a rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 determined by the couples who planned their weddings with them.

"Recognition is always appreciated, most of all from my lovely clients, and as this is because of the wonderful reviews you’ve left me on Hitched I’m over the moon!

Thank you to everyone who has left me a review there, and for any/all reviews on Google or my Facebook page. I can’t tell you what it means to small businesses to get reviews, not just because it helps with boring stuff like SEO and showing Google we are relevant businesses, but it shows other people who were once like you searching for a makeup artist who they should put their trust in and work with. This has really made my day! Congratulations to the other winners in my area too."

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Becca

Sali Jones — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:15:00 +0000

I've had a lovely response to some of these Wedding Make Up Interviews, so today's is with Becca! She married in September 2021 at Hazel Gap Barn.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
Engaged in January 2019, married in September 2021 but was originally supposed to be April 2020. It took around 1 year to plan and organise everything.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
You!!! And Mon Amie hair stylist, she is also amazing! (one of my recommended suppliers)

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Google.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Because of the really good reviews and your Instagram page gave me good vibes 😂 I would never have done my own make-up.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Fab!! I felt very lucky I was able to have another one due to the covid delay.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
No, nothing at all!

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Everything works out in the end. No matter how long you wait or any problems you encounter. It’s your day and you should do exactly what you want to do, not what others think you should do.

(All photos by Ritchie Sumpter Photography)

Becca left me this lovely review over on my Facebook page:

"Where do I even begin? Sali, you are just wonderful! From the minute I booked Sali for my wedding I knew I had made the right decision. Through all of the postponements due to Covid she was positive and understanding of my situation and offered me pep talks via social media for the past 18 months. I finally had my wedding day and Sali was perfect. She listened to what everyone wanted with their make-up and made the morning so chilled and relaxed. Everyone’s make-up was perfect and the goody bag Sali gives you as the bride is a lifesaver (especially on a randomly boiling September day!) thank you for everything you legend "

You can see more from Becca and Matt's wedding here.

Venue: Hazel Gap Barn
Photographer: Ritchie Sumpter Photographer
Hair: Mon Amie Wedding Hair
Florist: The Flower Room of Edwinstowe

January Blues

Sali Jones — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:30:00 +0000

January; the expectation of a new year. "Tomorrow is the first chapter of a new book; make it a good one!"

Oh, my life. I'm sorry but no, nothing about January shouts 'new year to me' when it's the middle of winter. It's a five week month, and that brings far more month at the end of your money. We still feel like we're getting over a slump like no other after having the festive break. To me it's not the time to be trying out a new routine, or attempting dry January, keeping an unrealistic resolution, or convincing ourselves we're morning people when we get up in the middle of the night and feel great for it.

Nope. Not for me!

January isn't great, and it's doesn't feel at all like New Year. It's SO bloody dark. I've had to have a light on in my office since 10am this morning because there's not enough day light to get in the window. It feels the middle of the night by about 4.30pm and after you've had tea, you're clock watching to when you can go to bed. It feels like bedtime from about 6pm! And that's what our ancestors would've done! They'd have stayed in bed until it gets light, got done what they needed to get through the day, eaten food, and gone to bed early when it got dark and cold. So, why in the name of all that is shiny are we trying to power through and pretend everything is all ok?

Look, if you're powering through and are really feeling it, then more power to you. You've got your shit together, and I'm maybe a little envious of all your energy. It looks exhausting to me.

But for now, if like me, you're not powering through and you're trying to get yourself through the day without a nap, remember that's ok. Take your time. January for me isn't the time to go gung-ho as it's still the middle of winter. This time of year for me is about slowly getting all my ducks in a row, so that by the time spring comes around I feel like I've got things in order. When Spring truly comes to town, we can all start to feel a bit more sparkly and new; not in the midst of winter, when everything is still so dark and sleepy. I can hit the ground running, or whatever it is the cool kids say.

Employ a little self-care, and look after yourself during these hibernation months. You can start your New Year whenever you want.

New Year New Skincare Regime

Sali Jones — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:37:00 +0000

New year, new me! Hahaha! If you're anything like me then that phrase will make you laugh hard. I'm still the same old Sali who can't be bothered to wear makeup on a daily basis haha!

But it's the new year, and if you're looking to take up something new (or give up something) then I'd wholly recommend a new skincare regime where you promise to look after your skin. Here's some tips to get you going.

Cleanser

Over-cleaning your face can be really bad for you, so only cleanse your skin twice a day; morning and night. There are lots of cleansers depending on what your skin type is like, but I do recommend micellar water if you're not sure. When people still tell me that they use face wipes to remove their makeup, it makes my soul cry. Using wipes will not clean your face; it won't get into the pores leaving them clogged and dirty, the wipes will dry out your skin, and they'll cost you a lot of money for something that does a crap job! Get a proper cleanser and some reusable face pads.

Hydrate

Inside and out! Make drinking more water your goal this year (all these small actionable steps will really help you) and your skin will be noticeably better. Hydrating your body, both by water intake and moisturising, can ONLY have good benefits.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week will improve the texture of your skin. I really like glycolic acid for exfoliating as there's no physical scrubbing at your face which can be really harsh if you don't know what you're doing. Microdermabrasion is also a great treatment. Removing the dry and dead skin will leave your face brighter and softer, and will make your makeup application be a lot smoother.

Eye cream

The skin on and around your eye is thinner than anywhere else on your body and needs a little extra TLC, so be sure to use an eye cream. It's a far different texture to regular moisturiser as it's often thinner, and needs to be more delicately applied too. It's only a small area so you only really need a small amount but I'd recommend twice a day; definately at night!

SPF

DON'T SKIP YOUR SPF! The rays that give you wrinkles are the same pretty much all year around, so using your SPF is really important all year around. And you need a bit more than you realise! Underuse will leave you without protected skin.

This email is from a previous bridal client Sophie who came to me for a makeup lesson; the best reply I could ever get!

If you want to book a 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me, take a look here to find out more about what it involves.

As with all skincare changes, you may not see results of your improved skincare routine until around 6 weeks in. It takes patience! Take a before photo of your face now, in clear day light if you can and then take another in 6 weeks time. Think of it this way; by Valentine's Day, you could be experiencing the best skin of your life!

Stick at it, boo. You can do this!

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Nupur

Sali Jones — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 06:13:00 +0000

Nupur got married at Allington Manor in October 2020, bringing forward her whole wedding by a week to avoid further disruption to their big day from restrictions and rules related to COVID. It all played out beautifully though and Nupur and Paul had their day!

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?
May 2020 engaged, and married in Oct 2020. 2 months of planning!

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
A small covid wedding so the venue, makeup, photographer, hair, flowers and wedding cake

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
Google

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
Good reviews and ease to get to you. I did consider doing my own make-up as we had such a small wedding but I’m glad I had it done professionally.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Really good. We discussed what I wanted re: eye makeup. We trialled a foundation but on the day used my own as I felt more comfortable in my regular shade

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?

No. I loved my final look

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Definitely have your make-up done professionally

(All photos by Peter Majdan Photography)

Nupur said about booking me to do her wedding makeup:

"I felt a million dollars!

Wasn't really sure what to expect from having a bridal trial but it’s so worth doing. Sali was really great at adapting the look I wanted when we did the trial. We brought the wedding forward due to Covid & we’re lucky that all our suppliers were able to join on the new date. Things ran smoothly on the morning of the wedding when applying the makeup but it’s really Sali’s years of doing this and helpful advice and tips that make a bride feel calm and not get stressed. She also had interesting ideas for extra shots for the photographer which I can’t wait to see. That first view standing in front of the mirror with dress, hair, makeup and bouquet was a second-to-none bridal experience."

Photographer: Peter Majdan Photography
Wedding dress: Chi Chi London
Venue: Allington Manor

Christmas Gifts For Make Up Lovers

Sali Jones — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 06:09:00 +0000

Here we are; the Christmas season is upon us and it's time for some of my top makeup picks of the year! Perfect for any makeup lover in your life, or if you're looking to update your own makeup bag for a festive party. Feel free to ask in my Facebook group if you've any questions about products, or you can contact me directly.

Illamasqua - Raven Masquara

My absolute favourite mascara, and a staple in my professional kit this year. Use the code "SALLY-R1" to get a discount via me!

Nip & Fab - Glycolic Pads

I'm such a fan of these pads, I have some in my personal kit and professional kit too. They gently exfoliate your face without being abrasive, and help to treat some pesky breakouts and resurface your skin; leaving it bright and smooth, like a Christmas bauble! There's a night version too, but I find them too harsh for my skin.

Real Techniques - Expert Face Brush

I won't be without this brush in my pro or personal kit. It's part of the secret to having foundation that looks like skin! It's such a densely packed brush so it won't leave any streaky marks on your face when blending foundation. It also won't suck up any product like a sponge would.

(photo by Branding by Tigz)

Ms Moo Make Up - Bridal Eyes eyeshadow palette

I've got to include my own eyeshadow palette, surely? Launched in October 2021, I've now only got a handful of these palettes left. Bridal Eyes is a vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palette designed with ALL skin tones in mind. It has 9 highly pigmented colours in a range of matte, shimmer, and metallic eyeshadows in some of the most popular shades I use.

Urban Decay - All Nighter Setting Spray

Accept no imitations; this stuff is the absolute beesknees when it comes to setting sprays. It's a firm favourite in my professional makeup kit, and has been for probably about 10 years. I've tried others, and while I do carry more than one setting spray these days, I will always come back to this one because it's so reliable!

VE Cosmetics - Temptation Lipgloss

I put this in my basket as a last minute buy when I was buying some matte liquid lipsticks for another blog, but I've been wearing it all week! It's really smooth and glittery (perfect for NYE!) without being at all bitty. It looks lovely on top of a matte lipstick too, as shown below on top of...

VE Cosmetics - Familiar in Liquid Matte Lipstick

I know, another VE Cosmetics item! This is their liquid matte lipstick, Familiar. I picked it because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone with a lip colour, and I think I achieved that. These days I wouldn't usually wear something like this but I love it! It has SUPER staying power, but sadly, they are being discontinued due to rising costs. Snap up a colour or two now, they've got 50% off when you buy two or more!

Ms Moo Make Up - One-to-one Make Up Lesson

Got all the gear but no idea? Want to revamp your makeup look but no idea where to start? Book a 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me. Bring your makeup bag to me and we'll go through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We'll go through what skills you've already got and 'brush up' on new application tips and product recommendations I can give you that are tailored to you.

NB: While I'm not putting an offer on my makeup lessons this year, I can confirm that prices will be going up in 2023 so take this opportunity to buy a makeup lesson before that happens! Vouchers are valid until 25 June 2023 when bought in December 2022.

10 Reasons To Choose Ms Moo For Your Wedding Day

Sali Jones — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:59:00 +0000

I was considering writing this as a blog myself, and I may still do it one day but today, this blog comes to you from my client Heather in a review she left me on Google... have a look here if you don't believe I didn't write this DREAMY review myself.

Sali has been a dream to have as part of my wedding team over the past 2 years! Through covid postponements and multiple trials, I feel like we've got to know each other well and I genuinely loved having her there on the morning of my wedding.

10 reasons to choose Sali for your wedding day:
1) She'll make you giggle and feel relaxed
2) She listens to what you like/dislike but also has fantastic knowledge if you feel unsure of what you want.
3) You can trust her 100% to make you and your bridal party look and feel like the best versions of yourselves without feeling like you are caked in make-up. All my girls could see what a great job she was doing and just trusted her to go with her instinct.
4) She puts anyone who is nervous about having their make-up done at ease - My mum especially was feeling apprehensive but was so happy with how brilliant Sali was, and people are still telling me now how fantastic my mum looked!
5) She goes above and beyond - she brought energy treats for the photographer, helped me get into my dress and gave great tips to help make the day run smoothly - including how to wee in a wedding dress.
6) She had me and my entire bridal party ready early, with time for touch-ups and made my flower girls feel fancy with some gloss and glitter.
7) She's so gentle, it's like having a mini facial before she even starts with the makeup!
7) She works brilliantly with other suppliers and has some fantastic contacts if you need them. I'd recommend her and Moira Borg (Hairstylist) as a dream team if you want a calm, happy atmosphere on your wedding morning.
8) Your make-up will still look great even if you become a sweaty mess on the dance floor!
9) She has fantastic communication throughout the whole process; from enquiry to booking, trials, the big day and beyond.
10) She wears great t-shirts.

*An extra thank you to Sali for coming to my house on our 'should-be-wedding-day' in 2021, when we had to postpone our wedding 3 days before the date. She was such a great support and came around my house (with wine!) to make me feel fantastic for a day out with our friends.

(All photos by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Wedding Make Up Interview with: Hannah

Sali Jones — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 06:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the first in an ongoing series of little Q&A-type interviews with my previous wedding clients! I figured these would be useful for future brides-to-be. First up today is Hannah, who married in July 2019 at her home in Lady Bay, Nottingham.

When did you get engaged, and when did you get married? How long did it take to plan your wedding?

Two years between engagement and marriage, we only took a year to plan the wedding though.

What suppliers did you book first? Feel free to sing their praises!
You!! Rock n Roller Hair, CameraHannah, Ardington Bakery, Wysall Flower Farm, Bombay Sweet Centre in Nottingham.

How did you find me to book me? e.g. Google, social media, recommendation etc.
My sister booked you for her wedding and I'd seen your glowing praise on social media beforehand too.

Why did you book me? Did you consider doing your own makeup?
I'm not skilled enough for my own makeup, you were so friendly and approachable. Easy to bounce ideas off and willing (and excited!) to go for bold colours.

How did you find your trial makeup appointment with me?
Absolutely lovely! Had a really nice time and a great chat. Made me even more relaxed about makeup on my wedding day.

Would you have changed anything about your wedding makeup?
It was perfect 🥰

Any advice for someone else getting married?
Just fuck it, do what makes you both happy and have fun, that's what a wedding should be about.

(All photos by Camera Hannah, one of my recommended suppliers)

You can see more about Hannah's wedding day, her makeup, and her review about working with me here!

Photographer: Camera Hannah
Wedding dress: Chotronette
Hair: RocknRoller Hair
Shoes: Irregular Choice
Hairwear: CcMillineryCreations
Flowers: Wysall Flower Farm

Stay in touch

Sali Jones — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 06:05:00 +0000

I'll tell everyone and anyone in earshot how much I love my job.

I get to spend wedding mornings with wonderful clients and get to make them feel and look amazing on one of the best days of their lives! I get to soothe them when they are anxious, tell stupid jokes, give helpful advice, and be a hands-on practical person when it comes to putting on buttonholes, lacing up dresses etc.

Then you're off to get married, I wave you away and often won't see you again! A hug and a kiss and best wishes for the day and poof! You're off to the biggest and best party of your life with all your nearest and dearest, and I'm off for a nap.

But I'd love to keep in touch with you! I don't want to be a one-time fling, so let's stay in touch!

This blog is about how we can keep in touch, and how you can continue to support your wedding makeup artist (or any other supplier that you've clicked with!) after your wedding day.

Send us your photos

I love spending the wedding morning with you, and want to see how the rest of your day went; the cake, the flowers, the first look, who cried at the speeches - I love it all! I really love seeing all your wedding photos so I can see the rest of your day. If I'm allowed to use them on social media and my website or blogs (just like here) that would be an honour; thank you.

Leave us a review

Reviews are so useful for future clients, and I often hear from YOU that you booked me because people had said such lovely things about hiring me. Please be one of those lovely reviewers for a future client! Don't be worried about writing a lot or too much; every review I get means the world to me! It helps us a lot with things like Google verification, so they see we're a good business and people verify who we are and then they'll promote us to others. You can write a review for me on Google and/or Facebook as long as you have an account with either of them.

Recommend us to others

I love returning to families or friendship groups who I've spent wedding mornings with before. It's bloody lush! I often jest that I want you to find more people to get married to in your friends/family so I can come back and hang out again! But I do mean it. Even if I don't get to see you on that wedding morning, a word-of-mouth recommendation is the absolute best and makes me feel shiny inside.

I'm quite active on social media and love keeping in touch with you, be it by Facebook or Instagram. I'm not quite cool enough for TikTok/Snapchat I'm afraid, though maybe one day. If I've done your wedding and I don't already follow you on Instagram, please nudge me. Hopefully, you enjoy seeing the random stuff I post on her too, albeit often sweary and pun-filled. Liking our posts or sharing and commenting is super useful to us, so thank you for doing it! Please join my Facebook group here; The Inside Info is the place to be!

Book us again

I'm always here for you! As a wedding client of mine, you get a discounted 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me whenever you want! Yes, if you got married even 12+ years ago, you can have a discounted lesson from me! Just drop me a message for the link :)
You will also get discounted makeovers for life, so if you have got a special occasion and I'm available, I'd love to see you again and do your makeup. Celebrating your anniversary? Work Christmas party? Big birthday party? Let's go!

(photo by Camera Hannah, one of my recommended suppliers)

Art Deco Boudoir in London

Sali Jones — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:06:00 +0000

Hello, lovelies! I'm back to tell you about another gorgeous boudoir makeover day I'm doing with the fabulous Tigz Rice in London's finest art deco bar, Fontaine's on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th November 2022.

I'll be down there with Tigz for two days of pin-up boudoir makeover photoshoots. We've sold more than half the spaces already (wahoo!), and I think there are a couple of spaces each day left.

You'll spend an hour with me having your makeup done. I can take inspiration from you if you've got a clear look that you're doing for, or if you're wanting a surprise then leave me to do my thang! You'll then have an hour with the lovely Kate Roe who's doing vintage hairstyling. Again, she can take guidance from you or leave her to create something beautiful for you.

Once you're all dolled up with us, you'll then have an hour with Tigz in Fontaine's beautiful surroundings. There's no limit on outfit changes so bring a couple with you and be sure to tell Tigz which outfits are your favourites so you can get images in them.

Before the shoot, you'll get a PDF with loads of information about how the shoot works, what to pack and bring with you, including some cheeky discounts for some lush lingerie brands - so you can treat yo'self! Tigz has a wealth of information about how to pose and she'll guide you into the best poses while she's photographing you.

Places are £385.00 and include three images with Tigz's signature realistic, high-end retouching on the images of your choice. You can always purchase more too, and you'll have 28 days of access to your online gallery to pick which ones you want. Privacy of your images is completely in your control too; whether or not they are shared online or kept private and just for you is controlled BY YOU.

2024 Prices

Sali Jones — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 03:59:00 +0000

2024 Wedding Make Up Prices

If you're getting married in 2024, here is a running total cost for wedding party makeup.

(NB: Please note that for Bank Holiday and Friday - Sunday weddings, the minimum booking is £345.00 plus travel)

A £150.00 booking fee secures the wedding date.

Includes:
• Initial consultation,
• Bespoke trial with me at my Nottingham city-centre studio,
• Skincare consultation on how best to prepare for your big day,
• Makeup on the wedding day at your home or venue,
• Application and provision of high-end strip eyelashes,
• Touch-up kit to get you through the day, including oil-control blotting papers,
• Round trip travel of up to 20 miles included, then 50p per mile,
• My full attention until you’re ready to leave.

Bridal makeup: £275.00
Bride and one adult: £345.00
Bride and two adults: £415.00
Bride and three adults: £485.00
Bride and four adults: £555.00
Bride and five adults: £625.00

I'm a one-wedding-a-day gal, so I won't be in any rush. Buttonholes, dress lacing, prosecco refilling, shoe tying, suspender buttons, hand-holding - you name it, I'm there for you!

Additional information:

Trials for additional adults: £85.00.
Additional trial for the bride: £100.00.
Flower girls/Under 14’s: £40.00.

If the booking requires it, I can source an assistant; this will be at an additional cost of £75.00 to cover the assistant's time and to confirm booking them for your wedding day.

If it's necessary for me to travel to two locations to carry out makeup service (i.e. start getting ready at home, and then transfer to the venue), a setting-up fee of £50.00 will apply to cover the time spent travelling between the two locations, kit repacking, and setting up at the second location.

2023 dates

Sali Jones — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:10:00 +0000

Here we are again, time for me to put together a blog that I will aim to keep regularly updated as to when I'm booked for weddings. Please check the dates below before contacting me about if I'm available for your wedding day.

If your wedding date is NOT listed below, I'm 99% likely to be available for your wedding makeup!

September: Wednesday 6th, Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th-Wednesday 13th, Saturday 16th, Thursday 21st, Saturday 23rd
October: Wednesday 4th-Sunday 8th, Friday 13th, Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th, Sunday 22nd, Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th, Monday 30th
November: Saturday 4th
December:

(photos by Pear & Bear Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

If your date is listed above, I won't be available but I can put out feelers for other available make-up artists in the area.

My books for 2024 are NOW open. Contact me to discuss the date of your 2023/2024 wedding!

Becca and Matt at Hazel Gap Barn

Sali Jones — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 06:10:00 +0000

I can't believe that Becca and Matt had their day a year ago today! Becca had to reschedule their wedding a stonking four times; from April 2020 to September 2020, then to March 2021 and finally September 2021! When they got married there were thankfully no restrictions in place at all and they could have the day they'd always wanted.

Hairstyling duties fell to the lovely Mon Amie; one of my recommended suppliers. I love this photo of myself and Becca having a little high-five after I'd finished her makeup! Quite why I've got such a derpy face for it I don't know, but I love how happy we both are at that moment and that is what I want to bring to your wedding morning - happiness and silly jibes, even if they are at my own expense!

Becca left me this lovely review over on my Facebook page:

I love getting to work with couples who are getting married at Hazel Gap Barn! It's so lovely that they recommend me on their website too. However you find me, when you get in touch for a quote or to find out if I'm available for your big day, let me know where you're getting married AND where you plan on getting ready for your big day. I'll sort out a quote based on all that information to make sure it's tailored specifically for you and your wedding day.

I can't wait to hear from you!

Venue: Hazel Gap Barn
Photographer: Ritchie Sumpter Photographer
Hair: Mon Amie Wedding Hair
Florist: The Flower Room of Edwinstowe

Sustainability and Ethics

Sali Jones — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 06:10:00 +0000

Having now been in business well over a decade, I've seen the trends come, go, and change but the one that's stuck around and if anything, grown in its power, is that of ethics and sustainability.

I wrote at length about being cruelty-free and using vegan makeup where possible here, but I wanted to go further than that so you can know what efforts I'm making and changing to be a sustainable and ethically responsible business. I want you to know that behind the scenes I'm doing what I can to make sure you're beautiful and the planet isn't hurt by my practices.

Products; I only use cruelty-free makeup and skincare, and have done for years. 90% of my kit is also vegan and can be tailored 100% for clients who want a vegan makeup artist for their makeup. I support brands that do not sell in mainland China. This doesn't compromise any of the quality of the products I use; everything I use has been tested thoroughly to ensure longevity and a flawless finish.

Organic products; I use plastic-free cotton buds and use flannels to clean my brushes. Any wipes I use are bio-degradable.

Disposables: I get through a lot of disposables but I do this because I care greatly about hygiene! I'm finishing up using my disposable cotton pads for skin care and then will be switching to reusable bamboo cotton cleansing pads. I've got a fair few to get through first! I've also got a lot of plastic disposable spoolies for mascara and lip glosses. These are being used up and replaced by wooden-ended ones. I've seen some makeup artists ask that clients provide their own mascara but I don't want to compromise on the quality of work I provide if your mascara is past its use-by... and yes, I can tell if it is!

Recycling: I recycle all my eyelash boxes, all skincare empties, and makeup packaging. Without question! Recycling is the easiest bit.

Eyelashes: I only use their synthetic lashes which yes, are made from plastic fibres, but aren't made from natural hair i.e. human or animal hair, such as mink. I only use vegan eyelash glue in my kit too.

Synthetic brushes: I only have synthetic brushes in my kit. Yes, this means they are plastic but natural = animal or human hair, and I just won't have them in my kit. There is no ethical way to harvest animal hair for a beauty brush, despite a few different online articles. It won't change my mind.

Paperless Booking; None of my bookings require any paper! Everything is digital, including invoices and terms and conditions.

Power; I'm supplied by an energy company that sources its power from renewables. I pay a small premium for this and having worked in customer services for an energy supplier for nearly 10 years, I've got a lot of knowledge and measures in place for energy saving.

Tree-Nation; I plant some trees each month! It's lovely to see a little forest growing, all in the name of Ms Moo. Want to plant a tree for me?

This is by no means a comprehensive list, and it's not a complete list either - I'll be adding more to it as the years go on and changes are made, but it's more to hold me accountable. I'd love to hear if there are any other changes you think I could make to become a more sustainable makeup artist :)

Mollie & Ben at Hazel Gap Barn

Sali Jones — Sun, 22 May 2022 06:10:00 +0000

Mollie and Ben had to reschedule their wedding from March 2021 to May 2021, but they sure partied hard anyway. They could only have restricted numbers allowed at their wedding, but they were determined to get married - and got married they did! And today is their first wedding anniversary so I'm here blogging about their wedding to celebrate - congratulations Mr and Mrs Douglas!

It was lovely to see the lovely co-worker Mon Amie (who is one of my recommended suppliers) for hairstyling and getting to work with Martin Cheung who was in charge of photographs - who I'm sure you'll agree captured the day perfectly!

Mollie and her bridal party got ready for her wedding day at Hazel Gap at a gorgeous Airbnb around 10 minutes away from her venue. Wherever you choose to get ready before your wedding day, you can be assured that I'll be there for you! I provide wedding makeup services mainly within the Nottinghamshire area but I don't just cover Nottingham! If you're looking for wedding makeup in Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Lincolnshire, I've got you covered.

Mollie said of hiring me as her wedding makeup artist:

"Just amazing! Sali kept me calm from beginning to end. She did makeup for myself, my four bridesmaids and my mum and mother in

law and made every single one of us look and feel absolutely gorgeous. There was a moment in the morning when I started to get a bit panicky - Sali told me to take myself off for 5 minutes and come back to finish my makeup after a breather and it’s just little moments like that that make Sali’s service so friendly and personal. She was also so organised and made sure that we started early enough so that we had time to chill before leaving. 100% recommend to anyone who wants to look like the most beautiful version of themselves on their wedding day."

I'm honoured to be a recommended supplier on the Hazel Gap website! If you're planning your big day at Hazel Gap Barn, or at any other of the incredible Cripps and Co Wedding Venues across the Midlands, if you're looking for a makeup artist for your big day, drop me a message! I'd love to hear from you.

Venue: Hazel Gap Barn
Photographer: Martin Cheung Photography
Hair: Mon Amie Wedding Hair
Florist: The Flower Room of Edwinstowe

Do's and Don'ts for your Wedding Make Up

Sali Jones — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 14:37:00 +0000

I've been doing wedding makeup for twelve years now (I surprised myself when I looked back at my diaries for it!) and have seen so many different weddings with so many different traditions. More and more of my couples are looking to set their own traditions for their weddings, and I'm 100% here for it! I'm particularly looking forward to celebrants being able to legally marry people, and all of my couples based in England being able to get married outdoors without restrictions. Those in Wales and Scotland can get married wherever they want; how cool is that!

Wedding makeup doesn't have to be anything other than unique to you. There are no rules to follow, but I do like to impart such guidance as below. But remember, you're the boss and you get to choose what you take away from them.

- Do have a trial
It’s our opportunity to get to know each other! I recommend having a trial in the morning so you can wear your makeup all day, and see how it lasts. I’d always recommend you book plans afterwards too - lunch with a friend or a pint after work! Make the most of it, and enjoy your face full of makeup!

- Do ask silly questions
Believe me, there are no silly questions. There are also no stupid ones either. Any questions you’ve got, I’m here to help you so feel free to ask me anything that you want. I'll always answer truthfully.

- Do moisturise and get an eye cream
Your skin will thank you for it. The skin around your eyes is so thin, so hydrate it properly so it doesn’t dry out. Use it twice a day.

- Don’t expect poreless skin
All skin has texture and while we try to smooth it out as much as possible with skincare and makeup, you will still have texture. Embrace it! You can improve your skin with a good skincare routine, so look to speak with a skin specialist.

- Do use my wedding make-up kit
After twelve years in the business, I have got a few tricks and tips up my sleeve and have put them together in a bridal makeup kit that I provide to you on the morning of your wedding. A little bit of everything to keep you and your face fresh all day. Make sure you use it!

- Don't wing your wedding makeup
If you choose to do your wedding makeup yourself, make sure you practice it thoroughly beforehand. You want to practice your steps and application process thoroughly so you know what order you're doing things. Did you know I do wedding makeup lessons?

- Don’t take the advice of others as gospel
That includes me! If you really want a red lip and someone else doesn’t think you should, listen to their reasons but if you don’t agree, then you don’t have to take their advice! How you feel is more important than what someone else thinks.

- Don’t be afraid to be bold
I don’t agree that makeup needs to be thicker because it’s a wedding but I do agree that need to be a bit bolder in your choices. Your makeup needs to stand up to weather, emotion, flash photography, and wear and tear. We’ll factor all this in for you at the trial!

- Don’t have a skin/facial treatment the day before you get married
I never advise having a fake tan the day before you get married, as the tan will still develop and you'll have that telltale biscuity smell and overly orange tone - no matter how light you go! Get it done 48 hours before you get married, and exfoliate then moisturise EVERYWHERE before you have it done. The same goes for facials or any beauty treatments; don't get anything done the day before you get married, just in case you have a reaction to anything!

- Don't hesitate to book your favourite makeup artist
We really do get booked up quickly! Get in touch with me if you want to book me for your wedding day. If it happens that I'm not available, I'll always try to recommend you to someone else with a similar style who is local.

Photographer: Anna Rose Heaton, one of my recommended suppliers.

Cruelty-free and Vegan Make Up

Sali Jones — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

I've been providing a vegan bridal service for over five years now, and it's been so great to hear from clients that they've booked me specifically because of this service. I've always been staunchly cruelty-free in my makeup kit for nearly 10 years, and I won't use brands that test on animals.

So what does it mean, cruelty-free or vegan?

(photo by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Well, the two certainly aren't the same. "Cruelty-free" means the product or the brand has not been tested on animals. "Vegan" means the product doesn't contain anything from an animal. So, some brands can be vegan and not have animal products in them, but they can still be tested ON animals... it's baffling, isn't it?

While it's not legal for brands to test on animals within the UK, there are still brands that allow their products to be tested on animals in other countries in order for them to be sold in such countries.

The long and short of it is that no animals need to be hurt for us to look good or feel good.

I'll never compromise on quality for my clients though. When I put your makeup on, be it for party makeup or as a wedding guest or bride-to-be, I want your makeup to stay put and stay perfect all day! Just with the knowledge that what you've got on your face has never been tested on a bunny. It's not much to ask!

There's a great array of vegan products out there, so here are three of my top favourites from my tried and tested kit. I'd love for you to let me know your favourite cruelty-free brands or products too!

Tarte Cosmetics - Shape Tape

My favourite concealer ever, it covers all manner of sins and you only need to use a very small amount. It blends seamlessly and is lightweight for something that is so good at providing coverage. You can get a mini one if you want to try it for £10.00.

Illamasqua - Contour Gel

This is the absolute best contour product ever. EVER. I've used lots of others, but this is just the best; for all skin types and tones. Buildable and so easy to blend, it will add definition to your jawline and cheekbones in the gentlest way.

Ms Moo Make Up - Bridal Eyes

You're damn right I'll recommend my own product here! It was important to me that when I created my eyeshadow palette it would be cruelty-free and vegan. You can get it here.

(photo by Branding by Tigz)

Jen (photographed above) said of her wedding makeup:

"As I am someone who hardly ever ventures into the unchartered territory of makeup, Sali listened to me, guided me through, understood who I was as a person and used that within my look, Sali used vegan and cruelty-free products which is super important to me. Sali kept my natural features and enhanced them, you could still see my freckles through my makeup which is such a skill, I had the most immense contouring that I have ever had in my life, I honestly felt I looked like a rockstar!"

There are so many incredible vegan products out there now, it's a no-brainer!

If you're looking for a cruelty-free makeup artist for your wedding day, drop me a message to see if I'm available for your wedding day.

Tips for Winter

Sali Jones — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 06:45:00 +0000

Let's be frank here; if your skincare game isn't on point, then your makeup won't be. You could have half the beauty counter in your makeup bag, but you need a 10/10 skincare regime! So here are some top tips for the winter to get your skin through it in one (gloriously moisturised) piece...

Having too hot a shower or bath can leave you with really dry skin, so just have a lukewarm shower to save your skin from drying out too much.

Stay hydrated as much as possible. Have a glass of water in the morning; have a glass every time you make a cuppa tea; have a glass with each meal, and one before bed. Basically do what you can to drink more water! And I don't mean having a tonic with gin, ok? ;)

If you suffer from dry feet and hands, you'll have been moisturising them religiously for the last few months anyway. I love using moisturising feet socks (especially over wedding season!) and use hand cream regularly too. It certainly helps with the dryness from all the handwashing and anti-bac gel too, not just seasonal changes!

Moisturise. And use SPF! Always use SPF, no matter the season. Have a look at this blog. Also, look to get yourself something with Hyaluronic Acid in it if you haven't already; it will make your skin feel supple, leaving your face feel instantly plump and hydrated.

Get yourself an exfoliator for your face, and for your body. If you do your body maybe once a week and your face twice a week that's great! It'll clear away any dead and dry skin, which then improves the texture of your skin, but it'll brighten it too! Your makeup will apply a lot smoother, and your skin will have that post-facial glow.

(Photos by Emily & Katy Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Bridal Eyes

Sali Jones — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 06:15:00 +0000

Introducing the first-ever eyeshadow palette from award-winning Nottingham makeup artist Ms Moo Make Up; Bridal Eyes!

Bridal Eyes is a vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palette designed with ALL skin tones in mind. It has 9 highly pigmented colours in a range of matte, shimmer, and metallic eyeshadows in some of the most popular shades used by Ms Moo Make Up.

The square palette is lined with synthetic leather with a cardboard outer sleeve. There’s a mirror in the lid of the palette, with the Ms Moo logo in silver holographic foil.

"For the promotional photoshoot, I knew I wanted to hire models and photographers who're often underrepresented in the mainstream beauty industry."

L: Galda Lou, a plus-sized heavily tattooed model based in the East Midlands.
R: Christine Cain, a model of Chinese heritage studying in Nottingham from California.

Behind the camera for the product photography and the studio images was Betty Brown, a black female photographer and illustrator from Nottingham.

Click here to purchase 'Bridal Eyes'

Sali Jones is an award-winning makeup artist, Ms Moo Make Up. Ms Moo has over a decade of experience and splits her time travelling around the East Midlands as a sought-after wedding makeup artist, and teaching one-to-one makeup lessons with clients in her Hockley-based studio.

Photography: Betty Brown.
Models: Galda Lou and Christine Cain.

For more information see;
www.msmoomakeup.com
Facebook and Instagram

Makeover Boudoir Days with Tigz Rice

Sali Jones — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 15:25:00 +0000

I'm fizzing with excitement that I'm going to be working with the inimitable award-winning boudoir photographer Tigz Rice on three makeover days in London in early 2022!

I'll be in London at the most beautiful art deco-themed cocktail bar, Fontaine's. We'll have the place to ourselves and I'm sure you can see from the photos in this blog, that it provides the most gorgeous backdrop to your images.

Tigz is a female boudoir photographer who empowers all who are in front of her camera. But what's boudoir photography? Here's a bit more from Tigz herself;

"Boudoir photography is the art of celebrating your incredible body by creating beautiful, sophisticated and timeless images that honour your lived experience, preserving those memories for years to come. Clothes on or clothes off, everyone has a different reason for wanting to be photographed; and the privilege for me is that it’s in my power to make you feel empowered, confident, strong and sexy as hell; whether you want to mark a life milestone, document a journey, reward a personal achievement or simply celebrate your fabulous self in all your glory.

Boudoir photography gives you the opportunity to celebrate your body by creating beautiful, sophisticated and timeless images that will preserve those ‘wow, I look and feel incredible!’ memories for years to come."

Within each session, you'll get;

- an hour with me having your makeup done,
- an hour with Kate Roe having your hair done,
- an hour with Tigz Rice having your photographs taken!

You'll get unlimited clothing changes in front of the camera, advice with posing, glamour of the gods lighting, and from all of that, you'll get three images from the shoot (with the option to purchase more!) that are edited in Tigz's signature realistic style.

You can get pre-shoot styling advice and a free copy of Tigz's Boudoir Welcome Pack which includes loads of information on preparing for your shoot, including what to pack. It's going to be brilliant!

2023 Wedding Make Up Prices

Sali Jones — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 06:15:00 +0000

2023 Wedding Make Up Prices

If you're getting married in 2023, here is a running total cost for wedding party makeup.

Please note that for Friday, Saturday and Sunday weddings, the minimum booking is £305.00. This also includes Bank Holidays.

A £150.00 booking fee secures the wedding date.

Includes:
• Initial consultation,
• Bespoke trial with me at my Nottingham city-centre studio,
• Skincare consultation on how best to prepare for your big day,
• Makeup on the wedding day at your home or venue,
• Application and provision of high-end strip eyelashes,
• Touch-up kit, including a full-sized lipstick/lipgloss in your chosen colour,
• Tissues, oil-control blotting papers, and some other goodies from me,
• Round trip travel of up to 20 miles included, then 50p per mile,
• My full attention until you’re ready to leave.

Bridal makeup: £240.00
Bride and one adult: £305.00
Bride and two adults: £370.00
Bride and three adults: £435.00
Bride and four adults: £500.00
Bride and five adults: £565.00

I'm a one-wedding-a-day gal, so I won't be in any rush. Buttonholes, dress lacing, prosecco refilling, shoe tying, suspender buttons, hand-holding - you name it, I'm there for you!

Additional information:

Trials for additional adults: £75.00.
Additional trial for the bride: £100.00.
Flower girls/Under 14’s: £40.00.

If the booking requires it, I can source an assistant; this will be at an additional cost of £75.00 to cover the assistant's time and to confirm booking them for your wedding day.

Eyeliner Recommendations

Sali Jones — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 16:04:00 +0000

It's just a flick... one little, tiny eyeliner flick...

SO WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO MAKE THEM EVEN AND POINT THE SAME WAY?!

(photo by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

I can teach a whole 90-minute lesson on liquid eyeliner and wings (which you hate me for at the end!) but you can then leave safe in the knowledge that you can recreate that winged eyeliner at home with a bit of practice. i.e., homework from Sali.

To get you started on that winged eyeliner path, here are some of my absolute favourite eyeliners to use, and some tips and tricks along the way.

Illamasqua's Precision Gel Liner - Infinity

This eyeliner is a staple in my makeup kit. I don't carry any other gel liner, because I flippin' LOVE it. I favour using the Spectrum Cosmetics Angled Brow Brush with it because of how thin I can get the liner line. I've used their Fine Angled Liner brush before too and the R45 angled liner brush from Morphe is a good one too. My tip for this is just to TAKE YOUR DAMN TIME.

If you're nervous about gel liner, then practice resting the brush against the root of your eyelashes without any product on it. You need to feel with the bristles of the brush for your eyelashes so give it a go, and practice a line with it perhaps a little eyeshadow.

Illamasqua's Precision Inks - Abyss

I promise this isn't just all about Illamasqua (though I flippin' love their products!) but this is my preferred personal eyeliner to use at home. It glides on effortlessly and I have all three colours - Abyss is black, Topaz is black with gold shimmer, and Zircon is black with shimmery blue. I don't find that they smudge or smear when I get watery eyes. It needs a good shake before use, but I feel that's standard these days with liquid liners!

Morphe Liquid Liner - Tea Spill

I'm not averse to a brown liquid eyeliner! It certainly softens a look and can be a bit more forgiving if it's not entirely neat. Tea Spill is a lovely rich brown, but I've been known to dabble with their white liner too for more creative looks. Try to layer a little white liner above a black line when it comes to creating a dramatic winged flick.

Nabla - Serial Liner

Hands down, my favourite felt tip eyeliner. It's so easy to use! For an eyeliner beginner, it's great as the product is light and it can be built up to create the effect you need as you build up your confidence too!

Want to come to learn about liquid eyeliner and its mystical ways? Want to learn how to nail that flick and do eyeliner in your sleep? Book your makeup lesson with me today! You can purchase your lesson here or you can get a gift voucher :)

2022 Wedding Make Up Prices

Sali Jones — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 06:15:00 +0000

2022 Wedding Make Up Prices

Travel, products, insurance, taxes have all increased, and so as the costs of running a business (and living!) go up, I've set my wedding prices for 2022 and 2023. If you're getting married in 2022, here is a running total cost for wedding party makeup.

(NB: Please note that for Friday, Saturday and Sunday weddings, the minimum booking is £285.00. Includes Bank Holidays)

Includes:
• Initial consultation,
• Bespoke trial with me at my Nottingham city-centre studio,
• Skincare consultation on how best to prepare for your big day,
• Makeup on the wedding day at your home or venue,
• Application and provision of high-end strip eyelashes,
• Touch up kit, including a full-sized lipstick/lipgloss in your chosen colour,
• Tissues, oil-control blotting papers, and some other goodies from me,
• Round trip travel of up to 20 miles included, then 50p per mile,
• My full attention until you’re ready to leave.

Bridal makeup: £225.00
Bride and one: £285.00
Bride and two: £345.00
Bride and three: £390.00
Bride and four: £445.00
Bride and five: £500.00

I'm a one-wedding-a-day gal, so I won't be in any rush. Buttonholes, dress lacing, prosecco refilling, shoe tying, suspender buttons, hand-holding - you name it, I'm there for you! A £150.00 booking fee secures the wedding date.

Additional trials: £65.00, or £75.00 including false lashes.

Availability for Weddings in 2022

Prices for Weddings in 2023

2022 dates

Sali Jones — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 06:10:00 +0000

My wedding makeup diary for 2022 is open and filling up fast, so I wanted to put together this blog so you know what dates are already booked in my diary.

If your wedding date is NOT listed below, please contact me to book your wedding makeup.

(Photo by Camera Hannah, one of my recommended suppliers)

September: Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Saturday 10th, Saturday 17th, Saturday 24th, Friday 30th,
October: Saturday 1st, Monday 10th-Saturday 15th, Saturday 22nd, Saturday 29th
November: Sunday 6th, Monday 7th, Friday 11th, Sunday 20th, Saturday 26th
December: Saturday 3rd, Sunday 11th, Saturday 31st

2022 Wedding Make Up Prices.

If your date is listed above, I won't be available but you can contact me for suggestions for another make-up artist in the area who may be available.

My books for 2023 are NOW open. Contact me to discuss makeup the date of your 2023 wedding!

Interview: SaywellHQ Photography

Sali Jones — Mon, 24 May 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Today's blog is an interview with Andy from Saywell HQ Photography. I've only met Andy once, but with the type of person he is, we clicked straight away! He's a good human and you can get his personality from this interview. He's one of my recommended suppliers, and I'm super pleased I've got more weddings with him this year :)

"Nottinghamshire-based photographer; stealthy! Passionate about photography, professional and takes really lovely non-intrusive photos and captures really lovely moments without you ever knowing he was there. Apart from his epic beard ;)"

How’re things with you?

Things are cool, obviously, we are all dealing with a lot at the moment, and I hope pretty soon that we get some idea of what weddings are going to look like for the rest of 2021 and beyond. I feel for all the couples postponing numerous times, but I really feel for the suppliers, the small guys whose businesses are on the line.

How did you get into wedding photography?

Like a lot of wedding photographers, it starts with a mate getting married and saying, “you’ve got a camera; will you take our wedding pictures?” I did my first wedding and I’ll be honest it wasn’t that much fun…. Just seemed to be a lot of standing around and not a lot happening….

The next few weddings were for mates of my wife, for some reason where she worked loads of them were getting married, think I did 5 weddings for people she worked with. Those 5 weddings taught me so much, but the biggest thing that dawned on me from those weddings – I didn’t want to be a ‘wedding photographer’; I wanted to take pictures of people at weddings, and I want to capture all the emotions of the day as natural and as candid as possible, I didn’t want to interfere in a moment or create a moment, I wanted people to enjoy the wedding day without the sound of a bossy photographer in the background.

What have you looked forward to the most in getting back to work?

I was fortunate that I was still able to capture a few weddings towards the end of 2020 and yes all of them were short coverage weddings with guest numbers ranging from 30 for the ceremony and reception, down to 6 and me counting as one of them. I loved being around people. I love my wife, I really do – but being out and about mixing with people was amazing and I couldn't wait to be able to do that again.

What, if anything, are you going to do differently or want to see done differently?

Something which excited me during the lockdown weddings was the ability to do things a little differently; with the restrictions in place, the timings for the wedding day almost went out the window and for a lot of couples they were able to mess with the timings and do what they wanted and when they wanted.

Typically, a wedding venue dictates the major timings of the day; when the Groom should arrive, the drinks, the wedding breakfast, when evening guests should rock up, the cake cut and the first dance timings, but most of this didn’t matter last year. One of my couples decided to do the first dance before the food, in the garden of the venue, with the sun beating down – it was epic! I hope couples in 2021 and 2022 play with the timings and do a few things a little differently in future.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I’ve been in business, and I’m sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

For me, the biggest bugbear in the wedding world is social media… and there are two bits to it. Socials was a place to share and interact, and have fun, but now say on Instagram it’s just become such a spammy place with so many voices constantly shouting, and the problem is – If you don’t shout then you don’t get found and your work is missed; so, you have to join in! The other bugbear (and this is more of a photography issue) is styled shoots… Now, styled shoots have been around for years, but over the last 2 years I have seen so many of them being done and the images which are then shared are not tagged as being from a styled shoot and this leads to couples being misled; certainly, from a photography point of view if the images are being described as ‘in the moment’ and ‘candid’; when they are certainly not!

Right – now the whinging is out of the way, let’s get onto the biggest thing that has changed in a positive way and that’s – more interesting styles of wedding photography. When I started everyone did the same thing, it was all staged, all very traditional, but over the last 4-5 years with more and more people joining the wedding photography world – Styles have changed, and people are really pushing the boundaries of what wedding photography is all about and I LOVE that!

What’s been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

From a business point of view, I have managed to spend a lot of time working behind the scenes on the business, the CRM, the workflows, the website have all been worked on and are in a much better place now than 12 months ago. I hope that this means less admin for me, and that means more ‘me’ time!

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

The hardest part of my job is pressing ‘send’ on the gallery email to the couple, it’s the most nerve-racking time for me! Thankfully every single one of my couples has loved their wedding images, they love seeing the bits they missed, the hugs, the kiss, the tears, and the crazy disco dancing. for me when a couple tells me how much they love their images – that’s all the feedback I need, and it means that what I’m doing is the right thing for the couples who have booked me.

Could you pick one thing people should have at their wedding?

100% a bouncy castle! When me and the Wife got married some 15 years ago, we had a bouncy castle, and I can still see my Mum in her wedding outfit giggling as she was bouncing up and down on the bouncy castle!

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

Wow – there is so much to talk about, but the one thing I think people need to be careful with is…. Money. Weddings can become a financial black hole and it’s so important to remember the things that are important on your wedding day. A couple from 2019 spent a fortune on their wedding and I know they ended up putting so much of the wedding on credit cards… and that has caused them a lot of problems. They spent £500 on a hummer for the Groom and his mates and only had the car for 45 minutes as the driver put his foot down and got to the venue early…. They spent a fortune on small things but in the end, it added up to a lot of money and a lot of the stuff was things that people wouldn’t even notice. So, my big advice – spend money on what really matters and don’t get sucked into buying tat!

Most embarrassing moment at a wedding?

I was taking pictures of people hugging, kissing, and celebrating with the newlyweds and for some reason, I went for a low shot, really cannot think why, but I did. Trousers split from the plums to the knee. Plums to the knee. I few guests spotted it and I shared funny nods with them, but I had to think fast. I had three options, carry on and risk indecent exposure… run and hide… or fix them… I went for fixing them. I went off to find someone who was working at the venue and I asked if they have a staple gun, I was going to staple my trousers together! So, there I was in the men’s toilets, cameras on the floor, stood in my boxers- stapling the inside of my trousers together. Thankfully, it worked - for the next 45 minutes, I was fine, albeit walking around like I had wet myself as I didn’t want to split them again. I think I for the most part got away with it and whilst everyone was tucking into their wedding breakfast food, I managed to get back to the car and change into some trousers not being held together by some staples.

Anything wedding related that you wished you had done differently?

Easy one this, I wished I had started taking pictures at weddings much sooner! I was a late bloomer to wedding photography having started when I was 35, I wished I had started maybe 10 years earlier, although I’m not sure I could shoot the way I do on cameras from 10 years ago.

I just want to leave you with this line from Andy's website: "If you want a wedding photographer to take over your day, to shout at your guests, to take you away from your family and friends for hours on end to do formal picture after formal picture – then I’m not the wedding photographer for you, but if you want your wedding story told in a beautiful, emotional and honest way – then welcome, you have come to the right place."

I'm excited to see Andy again this year as I know I'll get some beautiful beauty shots of my bride :) Check out Andy's website to see more of his work!

Swancar Farm Wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 10 May 2021 06:10:00 +0000

My last wedding of 2019 was with the lovely Charlene and her babes at Swancar Farm Country House. Getting married just before we entered 2020, the venue was still decorated for Christmas which you just know is going to be beautiful!

While I was privately hoping for a dusting of snow or a hard frost, Charlene hails from Edinburgh so didn't want any snow to make sure friends and family didn't get stuck on their journey down!

The wedding morning was an early one, but she was getting ready at the venue in one of their newly built cottages on site. It was one stressful morning though with the local electricity company having some issues, which made the electricity cut out at times which set off an alarm making us all jump! The lovely people at Swancar Farm got to work, and found us an alternative place to get Charlene's babes ready before we could get into their stunning bridal suite.

Creating a relaxed atmosphere on your wedding morning is paramount to me. Whatever happens, I'm here to help you and there's a lot I'm prepared for as I've got hundreds of weddings under my make-up belt!

Be assured that as my client, you are my number one priority. I'll be watching you checking that everything in your world is ok; from checking you've eaten, had something to drink, got what you need around you, to make sure you've had five minutes to yourself.

Are you planning your wedding at Swancar Farm? If you've got your wedding date and want to book me as your wedding makeup artist, get in touch! My 2022 books are open, and I have some availability for 2021. I can't wait to hear from you!

Venue: Swancar Farm Country House
Photographer: Daniel Burton Photography
Dress: Wed2B and David's Bridal
Hair: Nicola Hodgkinson
Flowers: Flowers On Main Street

Interview: Anna Dunleavy Photo

Sali Jones — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Anna from Anna Dunleavy Photography (previously Pear and Bear Photography) asked me to do makeup for a styled wedding photoshoot back in September 2017. I couldn't attend the photoshoot so I was super excited to see the photos and all the efforts the team had put together for the shoot, and I fell in love with them. The images were so soft and beautiful, and I adored the colours. This is still the most epic bouquet shot I've ever seen! She's a lovely human being and coupled with being a photographer, she's a self-belief business coach. I caught up with her about her photography work, and how COVID has been for her...

How're things with you?

Today, I’m feeling good. But that’s not an exact reflection of how the last months have affected me - and I think it’s important to be open about these things. There have been many ups and downs, and I’m just taking it one day at a time!

When did you first get into photography and think, 'ooh I like this'?

I first started playing around with a camera when my son turned one, and I realised I was using my phone to take photos when I had a DSLR sitting somewhere on a shelf. I started playing around with it - and really only just beginning to learn the basics, through books and YouTube videos. Very quickly, it became something I thought about all the time, and as they say, the rest is history!

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

Seeing families coming together, and celebrating what life is all about - our connections, and of course, love!

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

I always feel grateful to be involved in a wedding day - it’s such a special, precious time, and it’s an honour to get a glimpse into people’s lives in this way. I think I’m going to cherish those moments even more - simply being grateful to be able to capture those moments for years to come.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I’ve always been a fan of small weddings - those more intimate events have an atmosphere like no other. So I’m happy to see the rise in micro weddings. Of course, it’s a shame that it had to be forced upon us, but I do think that this trend is going to keep on growing, and I’m here for it!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about.

It’s hard to pick just one - I love getting to know other suppliers on the wedding day, from makeup artists and hairstylists in the morning, to the venue coordinators, florists, musicians - they each play a key part in the day. I do, however, have a soft spot for flowers, and some of my favourites include Floraldeco, Catkin Flowers and Poppy Scout.

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

Reconnecting with nature, by far. I didn’t always appreciate the countryside we have on our doorstep. In many ways, it kept us sane during those tough months. That, and a new addition to our family - an allotment, which gave us a real sense of focus. Plus, watching things grow really fills me with hope.

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work.

Ohh - that’s a tricky one! I think hearing couples say that their friends and family commented on how well I fit into the day and that they didn’t even know I was there half the time. My style is natural, and I always try to blend into the background as this allows me to capture those real moments!

Could you pick your favourite wedding experience?

One of my favourite wedding memories is heading back to the car (bear with me here), hearing the guests singing Wonderwall out loud. The Bride and Groom hired headphones and gave the guests a full-on silent disco experience. It was the perfect summer’s evening, and a ‘heart full’ kind of moment, after a truly beautiful day.

What is your favourite makeup or skincare product?

Again, I’m struggling to pick just one! A while back I started using Pai skincare, and I love their cream cleanser, avocado moisturiser and toner - they’re really gentle on my skin and are a staple in my skincare routine.

Check out Anna's website to see more of her wonderful work, and check out her beautiful photography style. I hope to work with you again soon darling!

Summer Wedding Makeup

Sali Jones — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Summertime, the weather is free and easy... and our faces are at risk of slipping around like they are on a slide at a waterpark!

(by Ed Godden Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

The last day you want this to happen is on your wedding day, so trust someone with years of experience in testing wedding makeup in the summer sunshine. i.e. a professional makeup artist!

In this hot weather, you're going to want something that's sweatproof and will stay put throughout the day. Sadly there's no magic product to stop you from sweating (other than botox) but you can put your trust in a wedding makeup artist to make sure your face stays put throughout your big day.

I'll use a primer that's right for your skin and the weather, and tailor your skincare to make sure that your skin is in tip-top condition. We can talk about this at your wedding makeup trial and you can ask me as many questions as you want!

(by Peacock Obscura Photography)

Using waterproof mascara is an absolute must; you don't want it to run with tears, but also you don't want it to smudge in the hot weather! It's worth more than my life to use anything but waterproof on the mother of the bride!

A superb setting spray will also be your godsend. It'll be a little bit cooling and help keep your face in place long into the night without your face feeling like concrete. We'll also set your makeup with a small amount of setting powder too, so it doesn't budge. Did you know you can layer your setting spray too?

If you book me as your wedding makeup artist, you'll get a free pack of blotting papers from me on the big day in my free bridal prep kit. It's my little bridal survival kit, from me to you :)

I flippin' LOVE wedding mornings and getting to have a chinwag with you through the details of your wedding day. Whatever skincare concerns or questions you've got, you can be assured you're in safe hands when you book me for your wedding day :)

(by Camera Hannah, one of my recommended suppliers)

Weddings Inc. Awards

Sali Jones — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 12:37:00 +0000

What a way to celebrate the Easter weekend - I've been recognised as Outstanding at Weddings Inc. in Nottinghamshire for the Make-up Artist category!

The ‘Outstanding’ recognition was presented by the Weddings Inc. Awards, along with four other incredible makeup artists colleagues, who I always recommend if I'm not available!

Weddings Inc. brings together businesses within the wedding industry across the UK. Wedding industry business owners have suffered this year with the pandemic and Weddings Inc. wanted to honour key players and recognise the contribution of business owners within the wedding industry.

So, what next?!

I'm planning on taking advantage of the wide recognition my outstanding award will receive from Weddings Inc.'s Nottinghamshire regional award.

I've always promoted my work (because pictures speak a thousand words) alongside the importance of finding someone to spend your wedding morning with that fits in with your personality.

My approach to makeup is to make sure that my clients feel and look their absolute best, by creating beautiful makeup using cruelty-free products. Couple this with over a decade of experience in makeup, and my rather silly but friendly personality, and my wedding industry recognised award wins; you're on to a winner when you book Ms Moo for your special occasion!

I absolutely love my job, and I can't wait to get back to doing what I do best. I get to make people feel good and look amazing; there's no better job in the world than helping someone feel that way.

So pull up a seat and a drink; let's celebrate my award win, and have a chat about your wedding makeup.

(photos by Emily and Katy Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

Interview: Pin Up Curl

Sali Jones — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Sarah from Pin-Up Curl is my work-wife! We work on loads of vintage weddings together, and I know that any wedding morning I'm with her, we'll have an absolute blast. I'm gutted that it's now over a year since I've seen her and worked with her, and can't chuffing wait to see her! Here's a little catch-up with her about the last 12 months and her future plans...

(by Shot by Amy)

How're things with you?

Well, it's been hard to get motivated after a very busy time leading up to Christmas but I’m getting there. I’m not beating myself up about it though as I know I’m not alone. I remind myself how lucky I am to have a diverse business that’s kept me going mentally and financially over the past year, and lucky to have so many loyal customers who continue to buy from my hair accessories business.

When did you first get into hairdressing/hairstyling and think, 'ooh I like this'?

About 10 years ago when I went to a local 40s wartime reenactment weekend. I researched how women styled their hair back then and attempted the look myself, badly I might add! Then that evening I dressed in a more 50s style and got so many compliments it triggered something off. I’d been stuck in a style rut and even though I liked the 50s and 60s fashion it just felt right to explore that more. I practised the authentic techniques of pin curling and rolling every night. You could say I was a little obsessed! After several years of styling my own hair, I decided to offer it as a service to see where it went.

(by Dan Foley Photography)

(by Shot by Amy)

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

I’ve not stopped working on the accessories range, but that’s on my own in the house all day, so I’m really looking forward to the human interaction when I can style hair again, particularly for weddings. I miss meeting new people and talking to them and catching up with my friends in the wedding business.

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

During the first lockdown, I realised how hard I’ve been working during the week and at weekends. I’m a bit of a workaholic to be fair, but having no wedding hairstyling booked in meant I had whole weekends free to spend with my fiancé and having time to myself. I had planned to cut down on weddings to carry that on, but with Brexit that might not happen if I lose European customers due to customs charges now been implemented. We’ll see though; things are ever-changing and evolving too much at the moment so any plans I make will be the same.

(photo by Emily and Katy Photography)

(photo by Ed Godden Photography)

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

What do I lament? That has to be Brexit! And what am I pleased has changed? How easy it is to reach more followers and potential customers through social media, and how weddings can be anything goes these days. Traditional is no longer the expected norm.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about.

Well, that’s obvious – you! (I didn't even pay her to say this!)

(By Pip and Wolf Photography)

(By Dan Lambourne Photography)

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

To know how well supported I am by my customers and friends and family.

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work?

I styled a lady’s hair at a vintage festival several years ago. She was quite anxious, shy and nervous and suffered from panic attacks. She’d tried to go into the shopping marquee but found it so crowded and oppressive, she had to leave. The next day I bumped into her and she was absolutely buzzing that she’d felt so confident after having her hair and makeup done in a pin-up 50s style that she strode into that tent, stayed there, shopped and loved it! It’s a good job I was wearing sunglasses at the time so she couldn’t see me well up! It meant so much that something so simple as a quick makeover had given her so much bravery.

(By Hollie Nicole Photography)

Could you pick your favourite wedding experience?

Oh absolutely. I’d been booked for a December same-sex wedding. It was cold and frosty, with light snow and was beautifully Christmassy. The couple were absolutely lovely and got ready together in the same room. There was so much love between them, and it was a beautiful thing to see and feel. The way they complimented each other during the getting ready process was so special.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

Probably my actual career! The hairstyling side of Pin-Up Curl is eight this year, and the accessories side is five years old. That feels like a huge achievement considering I’d been a Knitwear Designer for almost 20 years and never thought I’d be able to get out of it.

(photo by Emily and Katy Photography, one of my recommended suppliers)

If you're planning a vintage theme for your wedding look, then book Sarah and me as your wedding morning beauty team. We'll have you looking picture-perfect in no time at all! She's one of my recommended suppliers, and you can view her wedding work here.

Interview: Anna Rose Heaton

Sali Jones — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Anna Rose Heaton is a wedding and family photographer, but also a trusted retoucher of other wedding photographers in the East Midlands. Her photography style is best described as romantic and she gets stunning images you won't have even thought about, or seen her taking! She’s a diamond and she loves a pun, so we're kindred spirits!

I love that Anna's Instagram feed is just full of beautiful authentic happy smiles, that were just so blissed out in a specific moment and she caught that moment forever in a photo. Smiling is lovely, as is Anna :) I asked her some questions about her business and the lockdown, and she's kindly answered here :)

How're things with you?

Not bad thanks for asking! I'm trying to take things one day at a time which can be easier said than done at times.

When did you first pick up a camera and think, 'ooh I like this'?

When I was about 16yrs old, one summer a friend and I acquired a clunky old Russian 35mm film camera and started taking photos - we had no idea what we were doing! We took the film to be processed and it was so exciting waiting for our photos to be ready. That's what really got me hooked but I'd always loved my little digital camera up until then too! I then decided to do a photography A-level and chose a 6th form college which had great photography facilities.

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

PEOPLE - being around people again. I'm definitely someone who gets my energy from being around & interacting with other people. That's one of the reasons I got into wedding photography, as weddings are all about storytelling and capturing people's emotions & expressions!

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

I haven't really thought about this, I will just be so happy to have some work again, that I'm going to embrace being busy and being able to do what I'm meant to be doing. So I guess to try and 'ENJOY' the job a bit more. It's that classic thing of 'You don't know what you've got until it's gone.' I think we can all be guilty of taking our jobs for granted at times.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I still feel relatively new to the wedding industry (3 years into my freelance photography life) I guess generally the wedding industry has continued to grow exponentially during the last ten years. All the bits around weddings have got quite big, the hen & stag do's and that side of things has been a really big part of the wedding world. Although it's really interesting now 'micro weddings' are becoming the new way to get hitched, I sometimes wondered if a result of the pandemic might be that weddings could go back to how they use to be, a bit more low key & a half a day of celebrations rather than a full-on day and night. It will be interesting to see as so many couples want to get married and aren't put off with it being scaled back. Time will tell!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about!

The lovely Julia from Curious Magpie Styling. We managed to work together on a really groovy 70's inspired styled shoot back in October when lockdown restrictions eased. It was such a fun day and myself and Julia worked together to create the concept for the styled shoot. I felt like my little dreamworld was created right before my eyes! (See Below)

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

For the styled shoot, we decided to source all the wedding dresses from local charity shops as we wanted to show how creating a unique wedding style can be done sustainably and still be affordable. I've always loved thrifting pieces in charity shops as it's a great way of finding unique pieces for your wardrobe. The styled shoot rekindled something in me and led to a whole new lockdown passion project... Over the last 6 months, I have been upcycling a number of wedding dresses/garments with the help of my talented Granny Rae. She was bored and lonely in lockdown and wanted a project she could work on over winter and it's been so much fun. I never knew that my Granny and I have such similar style ideas until this year! We're adding the finishing touches to the collection and we're hoping to launch the collection in Spring 2021. I'm still sussing out the best way to sell the garments as it's all a bit new to me. (I've attached a photo of our most recent creation - a skirt and top separate combo upcycled from a Pronovias designer dress thrifted in a charity shop)

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work?

At wedding fayres, people have often commented on the raw energy I manage to capture within my photos, which is always lovely to hear!

Could you pick your favourite photographic experience?

This is a tricky one to choose so I'll give you two!

1) My first ever styled shoot I mentioned earlier. I had so much fun working with a great team of creatives and it was a big highlight of 2020. I'd never organised and planned a styled shoot before, so seeing it all come together on the day was very rewarding and it was so nice to be with other people in the industry again.

2) Before being an independent freelancer, I worked with an awesome wedding photographer Ed Godden (another of my recommended suppliers!) for two years as his full-time assistant. This was such a big part of my learning experience and we had such a great time working together at weddings up and down the UK. I helped with the post-production editing too, so when we weren't shooting together we were usually in the studio editing and having a right laugh. Ed always had some great stories to tell from his time as a press photographer when he first started out. I feel very lucky to have landed that opportunity working for Ed and he taught me so much.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I think the fact that I "went for it" and decided to step away from a full-time office job that was secure but at the same time killing my creative soul. I don't think of myself as much of a "risk-taker" but in reality following your passion is quite a leap of faith, so I'm proud of myself for following my heart.

What is your favourite makeup or skincare product?

I have a very limited makeup kit but I don't think you can ever underestimate the power of a statement red lip! Sometimes if I feel a bit sad or fed up around the house then I've popped a bit of lippy on and it can actually change your mood when you have a nice cheery colour on your face. I can't wait for face masks to be a thing of the past as I think I'm going to go for it on the lipstick front #FreeTheLip (haha that's got a weird ring to it!)

If you're scrolling through these images and think, "Yeah, these are the kind of images I want at my wedding", then get in touch with Anna! I'd love to work with her again, so maybe we'll create some magic for your big day.

Holme Pierrepont Hall Wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Joanna contacted me in late August about her wedding in October 2020, asking if I'd be available do her wedding makeup for her micro-wedding. She was marrying Jeff no matter what COVID-19 tiers we were in; if it was still legal to get married during the pandemic, she'd be saying "I do!" They had to cut their list from 30 to 15 attendees but there was no way they were letting that get in the way of them getting hitched!

As always I was super early but it meant I got to have a little car park catch-up with the lovely Mon Amie, who's also notoriously early to wedding mornings. It was super wonderful to work with Amie again, one of my recommended suppliers. You can read my interview with her here.

Marrying at the beautiful Holme Pierrepont Hall, it was a lovely wedding morning, made all the better for Joanna when her breakfast from Annie's Burger Shack arrived from her husband-to-be! What a happy bride-to-be she was!

On the wedding morning, I did the make-up for Joanna, her best friend, and her Mum. I also got to re-meet Anna Rose Heaton as it turns out I'd met her before when she was second shooting for a wedding that I did make-up for in late 2019. Her photography is beautiful and she was a delight to work with (as well as a superb human being) so she's one of my recommended suppliers, and there will be an interview with Anna soon!

"Sali did my wedding make-up in October 2020. She exactly captured the relaxed modern vintage style that I wanted and I couldn't have been happier with my look on the day. Sali gave me a touch-up kit which included the lipstick I'd chosen, but the makeup lasted so well all day and even the red lipstick really didn't need to be touched up very much. I felt completely at ease and very safe thanks to all of the COVID restrictions she took. She helped make the getting ready atmosphere fun and calm."

Such lovely words from Joanna; each review means the world to me.

Are you getting married at Holme Pierrepont Hall? I'd love to be a part of your wedding morning! When you've set a date, get in touch and we'll talk about your plans for the big day!

Venue: Holme Pierrepont Hall
Photographer: Anna Rose Heaton Photography
Dress: Wed2B
Hair: Mon Amie Wedding Hair
Flowers: Number Twenty-Seven

Interview: Mon Amie

Sali Jones — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:13:00 +0000

Where have the last five months gone, does anyone know?! There have been so many tier shifts, restrictions, and lockdowns that I haven't known if I'm coming or going. I know I'm not the only one in the wedding industry (or beauty industry, for that matter) who feels like this. The months have felt never-ending, especially when waiting to hear when we can return to work. I miss being a wedding makeup artist so much! I miss my clients. I got to see some in the latter part of 2020 which filled me with such joy!

One such wedding was with one of my recommended suppliers and super wonderful wedding besties, Mon Amie. We caught up at that wedding and despite not being able to hug as we always do, the warmth from being in her company again gave me such hope. She's a wonderful hairstylist and a wonderful human. Find out more about her, her lockdown, and her wishes for the future below!

(by Twig and Vine Photography)

Amie! How're things with you?

I’m not doing too bad all things considering! I’m keeping myself busy between homeschooling my son and my mannequin heads. I’m just about staying sane, I found a new love of walking every day too which is making me feel good. Brides are still booking me and I’m still fully booked this summer so I’m grateful for this.

When did you first get into hairdressing/hairstyling and think, 'ooh I like this'?

To be honest, I wasn’t sure about hairdressing when I first started, all I ever wanted was to be a doctor in the army (I know I can hardly believe that either). My mum and sister suggested it after I quit my first year of A levels, they saw how much I loved fashion and doing my own hair and makeup so it seemed like the natural route for me. To think they knew me before I knew myself! I was lucky enough to get a job as an apprentice at an incredible salon in Lincoln called Talking Heads. My boss there was like no other, he wanted everyone to do well for themselves and really pushed you to follow your dreams, something that’s rare to find in a boss. At that time at Takling Heads there were a couple of incredible stylists who’ve since gone on to do great things in the hair world. They both taught me so much. I think watching them win the Davine's world style contest really woke up something in me and I thought wow this is such a cool thing to be a part of. I thought, I love what I do and look at what’s possible!

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

I’m a people person through and through, I miss being around people and laughing and making women look and feel great about themselves. I’m not looking forward to those 4am alarms going off though and not sleeping the night before a wedding in case I don’t wake up.

(L: Twig & Vine Photography, R: Anna Rose Heaton Photography)

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

I don’t think things will change much for me once I return to work. I mean I’ll be wearing my PPE I’m sure but apart from that, I want things to feel as great as they did before. I’ve been very easygoing with bookings and cancellations too, I made a decision last summer to stop getting stressed overbooking or asking brides to pay extra to re-book me. It’s a personal choice but I feel being easygoing helps me through it. I want to spread kindness wherever I can. I’ve experienced incredible kindness from a few brides last year and I want to pass that on.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

Yes, it has incredibly! Things are so fast-paced now, especially with social media and particularly Instagram for me. I love and hate it all at the same time. I’m grateful for it but I also have to take long breaks from it too, I’m sure it’s not healthy mentally to be on it too much. A good example of how things have changed is when I first started doing this I used a map and written instructions to get to weddings now that seems ridiculous. Everything has changed beyond recognition mostly for the better with technology. I’m moving with it the best I can and trying not to hold on to past ways.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about.

Oh, this is a difficult one! It sounds cliche but I really do love everyone in the industry around here. We’re so lucky to have such a great team of wedding suppliers that all get on. I mean I adore working with you Sali, you create such an air of calm and I’m always thrilled when I know I’m working with you. I love Caroline Kent MUA, her work is incredible, and we always end up giggling when we’re together and I always look forward to seeing her. I also have huge admiration for Magda K Photography. The way she’s climbed up through this industry in such a short space of time is incredible. I love her vibrant energy and big smile. I also really love seeing Rebecca from Floral Deco, her flowers are just to die for and we always end up chatting shop.

(photos by Lee Garland Photography)

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

Getting to know how to use Instagram properly; I know I sound old, I feel it! Creating content and having time to play and be creative has been so good for me. Something I always longed for when I was super busy all the time.

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work.

I think for me the biggest accolade came last year when Beyond the Ponytail featured me as an artist on their page, for my corner of the industry there isn’t a bigger platform. That and generally being told how friendly I am and how at ease I make people feel; that means a lot to me.

Could you pick your favourite wedding experience?

Yes, I can actually, I did I beautiful Norwegian wedding at The West Mill in Derby in 2018. My bride had flown all her family friends (even her vicar) over from Norway, they were amongst the most open-minded, kind-hearted people I’ve ever met. I wanted to run away with them all, we all ended up hugging and singing before I left. Amongst these beautiful people was a Norwegian pop band the bride and groom knew, they were quite famous over there. I got to watch them set up and I heard a version of ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay that stays with me to this day. That was my bride's aisle song. Just stunning.

(By Anna Rose Heaton Photography)

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I think I’m most proud of winning the East Midlands wedding hairstylist of the year in 2017, this was a real turning point in my career and everything elevated from this point.

What you're favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product?

I’ve recently treated myself to microdermabrasion with the fabulous Wendy from Lakeside beauty. I’ve never had any kind of facial before and it blew me away. I bought the cleanser toner, face oil and cream that Wendy sold by Eve Taylor, I have to say it’s made a huge difference and I’m so happy with the products I will not be going back to my Nivea. I have to be honest with you Sali I use quite a varied makeup range from Rimmel through to Anastasia Beverly Hills, but I still swear by Collection 2000 for the best liquid eyeliner I’ve ever used!

(By MagdaK Photography)

Mon Amie is the Queen of a boho, soft-styled do, with that undone look that stays put all damn day! Take a look at her lovely website and her testimonials to see if you think she'll fit in with your wedding styling; I assure you, she's the type of person to have around on a wedding morning!

Interview: Rock N Roller Hair

Sali Jones — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 06:10:00 +0000

Sarah from Rock n Roller Hair is a font of all knowledge relating to wedding hair. She's also the absolute go to person for all things hair extensions, as she's trained in ten different methods. Who know there were 10 methods to even know about?! She's super calm to work with on a wedding morning, and we always have a giggle together. I asked her about her experience in the wedding industry and how she's finding lockdowns and not being able to work...

How're things with you?

Well let’s be honest a little like Groundhog Day but trying to keep my positive hat on and smile as much as possible! I find random laughter really helps ;-) Other than itchy feet to get back open again and doing what I love I am doing just fine thank you lovely!

When did you first get into hairdressing/hairstyling and think, 'ooh I like this’?

I would say since my teens and University I’ve always had an interest in the hair and beauty industry. Perhaps spending too much time looking at the latest “must-haves” and spending too much money eek! My best friend has been a hairdresser for over 20 years now and I always admired her work and job. She was the one who actually (in my 20’s) spurred me on to take up wedding hairstyling! So I guess you could same I came to the industry late starting my business in my mid 20’s. I wouldn't change it for the world now in my mid 30’s I love being self-employed (apart from in a pandemic of course!!).

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

Dead simple really……..a good cuppa and a chat with my clients! Some have become friends so I really do miss seeing them regularly we have such giggle! I also can’t wait to get back to being creative again and seeing everyone's vision come to life, in particular their wedding day plans. I love hearing people’s stories….you really do hear all sorts in my job!

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

I’ve definitely got myself more organised in these 3 lockdowns, and spent some time behind the scenes doing some learning to keep developing my skills. I think once I’m fully back to work and my son has started school full time I’ll be able to immerse myself in more training days each week to keep learning new techniques and styles. I don’t you can ever stop learning yourself! I also think the pandemic has surprisingly given me more fire in my belly to achieve more and look at ways of developing my business further, as well as more grit to stand up for myself more in the industry and know what’s best for me with how much work I do and juggling family time as well.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I think what’s frustrated me and many others I’m sure is the lack of communication, direction and general support for the wedding industry during the pandemic and 3 subsequent lockdowns. It has been such a rollercoaster for both suppliers and brides/grooms alike and I do feel more could have been done in the last year to give the industry more notification, direction and clarification to help us move forward more effectively. It's a huge industry and one that is built far in advance so clear communication is key to its success.

I’m pleased to see the industry developing more of a community feel which I think stands its weight in gold during a pandemic like we are currently going through! Coming together with our voices will make a stance and hopefully noise to get what we need delivered! I think the industry has grown so much that it has allowed many new suppliers to come on board, lots more new and interesting venues to open, new ideas and ways of being creative which is so refreshing to see!

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about?

Oh, it has to be the lovely Rosie Dexter from Everyone’s Looking Rosie, what a diamond she is! If you ever need a cheer up Rosie is your lady. I miss our local cafe visits for a simple bacon butty and a cuppa (tomato ketchup of course) and putting the world to rights you just can’t beat it! Being self-employed can be very lonely so it's important to connect with a few in your local area to share the good, the bad and the ugly and just have a good old natter about life!

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

For me, definitely more time with my son. He’s only 3 so these early years I think are crucial and I’ve been very lucky to get all this extra time with him…..as we know when they grow up (and fast) the cuteness and endless hugs don’t last forever!
For my business, I think the time to reflect and what’s been done so far and achieved and being able to put some plans down for where I wish to take it moving forward. I haven’t fully answered the latter yet but its a work in progress and still exciting for what is round the corner!

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work.

I think just the lovely comments I get from clients, brides, even the brides family where they can just simply say “you are amazing” or “honestly your work is so good” and then I blush and go all shy and say really! Hard to have self-belief sometimes but it really does give you the boost you need! I’ve had clients cry on me before when they’ve loved their hair so much or their mum cry and its one of the most special moments to be a part of!

Could you pick your favourite wedding experience?

Ooooh I could tell you several Sali to be honest! I think for me it's those wedding mornings where you know you’ve really connected with the client and (family/friends if present) at the hair trial (I always say afterwards they are really my cup of tea….in my Yorkshire accent) and you’re genuinely excited for their wedding morning prep. You just know that when you’re there you’re going to have such a giggle, talk absolute nonsense, have great music playing and the atmosphere is so relaxed everyone is just having a really good time whilst getting fabulous hair and makeup done! I think it does often help when you know the makeup artist, photographer etc present as that can really add a buzz to the morning. That’s why I always try to recommend to my bridal clients my recommended wedding suppliers list as I know these businesses are super professional and excellent at what they deliver but also super fun people to work alongside.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I think going from complete beginner to hairstyling and literally, no clue on how to run a business, to 7 years later, having a successful award-winning hairstyling business that has really grown, I’ve delivered over 300 weddings, done many an occasion/party hair booking, grown a hair extension business which now offers over 7 different methods of hair extensions and also developed bespoke hairstyling courses for hairdressers, hairstylists, freelance stylists, mums, basically anyone wanting to learn a new skill!

What is your favourite makeup or skincare product?

One of my all-time favourite makeup products which I’ve used for years is a tiny little pot of joy, called Living Luminizer by RMS beauty. Absolutely love it for dabbing onto cheeks, highlighting any areas really you wish to and it lasts ages! I’m a big fan of The Ordinary so I have several of their products to help with my skin issues which I’ve lived with for, blimey probably over 20 years now!

Interview: Ed Godden

Sali Jones — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:36:00 +0000

I've worked with some fantastic photographers in my time, but there are few that I recommend unless I've met them and know them to be thoroughly awesome people. Ed Godden is one such person! I met Ed when he photographed Maya and Jamie's big day in 2015. Any time I get a wedding booking where I know he'll be photographing it, I do a little leap for joy. JUST LOOK AT THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS! Ed's been in the business a while so he's quite the wedding photographer alumni, but he's not faced a pandemic before either so I caught up with him about how's his 2020 been so far...

How're things with you?

Not too bad thanks. Trying to stay positive… and looking forward to shooting my first wedding since March in a couple of weeks!

When did you first pick up a camera and think, 'ooh I like this’?

I first got into photography seriously when I was about 15 years old when my Dad gave me his 35mm film camera… I was hooked straight away and knew it was THE hobby for me!

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?

Capturing beautiful memories on couples wedding days. I’m curious as to how differently I’ll have to work though with restrictions. And even more curious to see how the dynamics of a wedding day may have changed.

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?

Not shake as many hands and hug as many people as I used to do at weddings (which is a real shame!). I’m a sociable person… and like to get up close when I document a wedding day.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I’m pleased that couples prefer the more natural-looking images nowadays…especially as that’s what has always driven me to produce candid and fun photos instead of staged/fake photos. I’m still not a huge fan of some of the traditions associated with a wedding, especially church weddings and how strict some vicars can be with photographers… but it is what it is, and we just have to adapt.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about

My mate Lee Garland. He’s also a Nottinghamshire based wedding photographer and I normally spend a lot of time sat opposite him in Nottingham whilst we edit our weddings. I’ve not seen him since before lockdown! Lots of WhatsApp messages and Zoom calls… but can’t wait to catch up properly over a beer.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?

The best things have been the amount of time I’ve had with my kids. We have a 1 year old and 4-year-old, and I know I’ll never have this time again with them. So, it has been very precious.

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work?

I recently had an enquiry and a couple wrote on the enquiry form, "What do you like about my photography? - Really like the relaxed style and less of the mushy bollocks that we’ve seen on other websites!" - I LOVE an honest answer like that.

Could you pick your favourite photographic experience?

About 10 years ago I was sent to The Atlas Mountains in Morocco to test a new camera made by Nikon. I spent 5 days trekking around with a group of other photographers and people from Nikon… the scenery was stunning... the experience was amazing… and I’d love to go back again one day.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

Just still being in the business after 25 years is probably what I’m most proud of. It’s a tough industry, and there are SO many photographers around now. Knowing that my work still attracts clients year after year proves to me that I must be doing something right. I never take this for granted though and am always trying to get better at my job.

What you're favourite makeup or skincare product?

Ha-ha... well seeing as I currently have a lockdown bushy beard... I'd have to say Nivea moisturiser for my forehead and neck!

Ed's wedding photography speaks for itself but he's truly a fantastic photographer and human to have around on your wedding day. There's nothing that will phase him after 25 years behind the lens! His style of photography is so laid back but you better believe he's switched on and ready for action. He sees things before they happen and grabs great action shots, from his years of sport and event photography.

Check out Ed's website to find out more about where he works and how he works. I hope to work with you again soon Ed!

Wollaton Hall Wedding

Sali Jones — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 05:29:00 +0000

Agate got married back in August 2019, and I'd seen a few snaps from her photographer over on Instagram and I knew they'd be beautiful. Back in January when I knew I needed to get back on my blogging game, I got in touch with her photographer to ask if I could peek through the photos. I found time to do that what with a pandemic, and now here I am, blogging about that very wedding!

THE PHOTOS ARE SO SO BEAUTIFUL!

Twig and Vine Photography aka Mamad is a quiet, observant photographer and that's clear in the photos; he's snapped some really beautiful 'in the moment' photos, with no cheesy posing or cliche group shots. Agate and Ed got married at Wollaton Hall in the Prospect Room and then had their wedding breakfast in Camellia House.

Agate wanted really fresh barely-there makeup that just enhanced her natural beauty. We used gold on her eyes, some demi-wispies and matte pink lipstick. Agate's eyebrows were incredible, so we used a very light brush through of 'Awe' eyebrow gel from Illamasqua.

On the day, it was lovely to be working with Mon Amie again - she's one of my recommended suppliers! Any wedding with her is great fun, and we have a lovely rapport together; if you want soft, relaxed and almost bohemian-styled bridal hair, she's your gal!

Agate's family were lovely people and while we had a little language barrier with her Mum only speaking Latvian, we soon worked out that "fantastik!" and "shit" were rather universal in language. What a wonderful morning we had! I'll leave you with some of Mamad's beautiful images of Agate and Ed's wonderful wedding. Flowers were by Zinc Floral Design.

Are you planning your Wollaton Hall wedding? If you're thinking of booking me as your wedding makeup artist, get in touch with your date and let's talk about your big day. My 2021/2022 books are open, and I have last-minute availability for late 2020. Let me know when you're getting married; I can't wait to hear from you!

Interview: Everyone's Looking Rosie

Sali Jones — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +0000

I've brought back my interview series! I did them a few years ago, but I'm going to bring them back and let you all find out for yourselves about some of my favourite wedding suppliers. First up in the list is Rosie, from Everyone's Looking Rosie.

How're things with you?
I’m well thank you; a busy bee with all my hairdressing clients!

When did you first get into hairdressing/hairstyling and think, 'ooh I like this'?
I was 14. I started as a Saturday girl.

What're you looking forward to the most when you get back to work?
Seeing all of my beautiful clients and making them feel fabulous again.

What, if anything, are you going to do differently?
Make a better work-life balance.

The industry has changed a lot in the ten years I've been in business, and I'm sure it has for you too. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?
I miss salon life (Toni and Guy were my fave years). I love that people now see how much they need a hairdresser.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you can't wait to see again or that I need to know about.
Sarah, from RocknRoller Hair. I friggin love her and love sharing our ideas and skills.

What's been the best thing to come out of lockdown for you or your business?
It has made me appreciate my worth and look at my pricing structure. I was massively undercharging.

What's the best piece of feedback you've ever had about your work.
Gosh, this is a hard one. Probably a disabled couple, the bride couldn’t get over her hair and that it could look the way it did. I love feedback and thankfully I never have any bad, only good or great.

Could you pick your favourite wedding experience?
My fave wedding experience was last year. One of my brides had to cancel her wedding as her Mum passed away suddenly on the morning of her wedding. Her and hubby Jack finally tied the knot last July. It was very bittersweet, but I was so happy to be a part of it. It was a full day. Indian and English. They had a wonderful day.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
The business that I have built over the last 10 years. I’m so proud of how it has turned out.

What's your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product?
Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk lippy, Liz Earle's hot cloth cleanser, and Moroccan Oil moulding cream.

Where else can we find more of your work?
My website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Top Tips For Your Wedding Preparations

Sali Jones — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Being in the business for over a decade, I've picked up so many tips from weddings about beauty preparations before the big day that I'd love to pass on to my brides to be!

Try a set of false eyelashes if you've never worn them before. They really make a difference in photos and they will be applied by a professional so won't be heavy, and shouldn't be glued incorrectly! A bride-to-be once came to me for a trial after she'd already booked with another makeup artist, but when they had applied her lashes, she had glued them together. The bride couldn't open her eyes properly and the artist told them that it would "be alright on the day"...!

If you want a fake tan, have a trial run in advance. I always recommend getting a spray tan no less than 48 hours before the wedding day, because you'll want to shower and make sure it's even; make sure you're not orange, and make sure there's no residual product which will turn the edges of your wedding dress an orangey colour!

Wear SPF! Don't go getting dodgy tan lines before your wedding. Just keep covered up, stay in the shade and slather yourself in SPF. Including your face, every day. It's worthwhile, I promise you!

Start exfoliating if you haven't already. You can buy all sorts of exfoliators but I do love the Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion, which is also part of their vegan range. Concentrate around areas like feet, backs of hands, knees, elbows and anywhere with typically tougher skin. Twice a week will make a difference! I recommend exfoliating the day before your trial and the day before your wedding.

You know your own face, and any makeup artist or beautician worth their salt will want their clients happy! I'm always sure to ask my clients if they are happy with what I've done, and if there's anything they want changing; less of, more of, different, extra, changed! All of it. Also, knowing what you don't want is just as helpful as knowing what you do want. Tell me if you like red lipstick, but don't want it for your wedding day; it'll mean I know you're not afraid of wearing lipstick, and you'll likely be confident in a brighter colour. When I ask you to tell me about your face, there are no silly answers.

My other advice is that in the week before your wedding, have a date night. Be that a cinema trip, dinner out/get a takeaway, go for pudding somewhere, have a walk, go for a pint - anything that's just the two of you, and NOT wedding related. Give yourself a few hours together to just be you and not be in wedding mode. Your mental health will thank you for it :)

Any top tips to pass on for my future brides? Leave them in a comment below!

All photos are from Jen and Jamie's wedding by Ed Godden Photography.

Burton Town Hall Wedding

Sali Jones — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:17:00 +0000

Leigh got in touch with me super early, in October 2018 for her February 2020 wedding. Have I said how I love it when people book me in advance because they want to make sure they can have me for their wedding day?!

I had been recommended to her by vintage hairstyling wizard Pin Up Curl as Leigh was planning a 50's themed wedding, and Sarah and I's styles compliment each other.

Leigh arranged her trial for early 2020 and also had her hair trial with Sarah the same day. This isn't always possible, but if you want to have your hair and makeup trial on the same day, I'm always happy to try to accommodate that for you.

Leigh and Berry married in Burton Town Hall in Staffordshire, and both got ready at The Three Queens Hotel. I've put the lovely review that Leigh left me below these images along with some of the suppliers involved in the wedding!

"From the first email to the day of my wedding Sali was brilliant! Sali kept in touch and was flexible and helpful when I needed to change the date of my trial. On the day of my trial, Sali put me completely at ease and really listened to what I wanted and the finished look was so amazing and fitted perfectly with my vintage 1950s theme whilst still looking like me.

On my wedding day, Sali did my makeup, my mums and my bridesmaids and everyone loved their finished look and they all looked so beautiful. My makeup looked perfect all day and the little kit Sali gave me ensured I looked and felt my best all day. I would absolutely recommend Sali if you want a professional, lovely, talented makeup artist she is absolutely your woman!

Despite the fact I didn’t feel 100% in myself you made me feel so beautiful and glamorous on my wedding day. There are no words to say how grateful I am to you for that. Thank you so much!"

Are you getting married at Burton Town Hall too? If you're thinking of booking me as your wedding makeup artist, get in touch with your date and let's talk about your big day.

Photography: Emily & Katy Photography
Hairstylist and custom hairwear: Pin Up Curl
Dress: House of Mooshki from Mimi Toko

2021 dates

Sali Jones — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 23:10:00 +0000

As we find our way through the rescheduling of many of the 2020/2021 rescheduled weddings, I figured it'd be a good idea to keep a list here of dates that I'm NOT available in 2021.

If your wedding date is NOT listed below, please contact me to book in your wedding makeup.

June to October - FULLY BOOKED
November: Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd, Wednesday 3rd, Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th, Monday 8th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st
December: Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th, Tuesday 14th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th

If your date is listed above, I won't be available but you can contact me for suggestions for another make-up artist in the area who may be available.

My books are open for 2022 too, so if you're getting married then, please get in touch.

My favourite makeup primers

Sali Jones — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:10:00 +0000

Primers are a great part of my makeup kit, and I love telling people in my 1-2-1 lessons how they work and what they are all for. I have a range of my primers in my kit because I need to be prepared for all skin eventualities so you certainly won't need all of these.

The culture of buying something because it's the newest thing available or has been promoted by a celebrity has merged into the beauty industry, but I'm a big fan of telling people to only get what you need. Make-up has a shelf life!

So, what do primers do? I've described them as being the midpoint between skincare and makeup. They help control the finish of your makeup and lend themselves to change your skin condition while it's got makeup on it. You can get mattifying primers which take out excess oil or hydrating primers which add extra hydration to your skin and stop it being too dry. You can also get illuminating primers that will help your skin glow!

Illamasqua's Matte Veil is my favourite for bridal makeup and mattifying skin. It's thin and absorbs into the skin so beautifully and quickly. Equally can be said for Illamasqua's Hydra Veil, and Beyond Veil; these are the holy trinity in my bridal makeup kit! That said, at £30.00+ a tub they aren't the most budget-friendly, so I keep more affordable ones in my kit too for all budgets.

The Body Shop's Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion is great; it can take a little while to sink into the skin, but because of the tea tree, it does certainly mattify! I would suggest you use this sparingly. For a hydrating primer, I recommend NYX's Hydra Touch Primer. It creates a smooth refreshed canvas for your makeup, and I'd recommend popping a little extra on those areas that get dry throughout the day. For something to illuminate your skin, the Soap & Glory Glow & Dew It™ Skin Illuminating Base & Primer is wonderful. In the summer or when you're on a sunny holiday, you can use a dab of this as a highlighter. It's a relatively new product at the moment, but I find it really light and just the right amount of shimmer without being glittery. It's also got Squalane in it which is "known to balance oil production and keep skin moisturised." Woo!

I've used so many more but these are my favourites right now and the Illamasqua ones are firm favourites in my bridal makeup kit. What's your favourite primer?

(photos by Matt Brown Photography and Ed Godden Photography)

Jen and Josh at Oxton Village Hall

Sali Jones — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:05:00 +0000

Jen and Josh's amazing wedding day was my penultimate wedding of 2019 but boy, what a wedding!

I'm in love with the colours Jen and Josh chose, and I always know there's going to be amazing photos from Emily & Katy Photography. I think Julia from Curious Magpie must have had the time of her life, styling the Oxton Village Hall for the big day. Jen had assembled a beautiful team around her for the day; check them all out at the bottom of this very blog :)

Jen also left a lovely review for me on my Facebook page:

"I can't believe I am only just getting around to writing this review for the BRILLIANT Ms Moo. Sali was simply wonderful and was without a doubt, the perfect makeup artist for me!"

"I booked Sali for my wedding in October 2019, with my trial taking place on my hen do. She made me feel so beautiful, relaxed and the result was perfect. On my trial, I was having a bit of a tricky day and Sali completely understood. She was more than a makeup artist to me on that day...! On my wedding day, she had 7 ladies to do. Everyone looked insane, we were ready ON TIME (actually a miracle for our lot) and we all loved chatting to Sali."

"I will always recommend her to others. I also really appreciate that the products she uses are kind to the planet and people. BOOK MS MOO MAKE UP! Its sort of made me feel a little bit emosh writing this post...She was just great. Thank you Sali, it might only be makeup, but it means such a lot to so many people! Big love xxxxx"

I did have a super early start to the day to get everyone ready, but Jen's Mum Kathann was a legend and kept everything running smoothly. I'd done a makeup lesson for Kathann for her birthday too, and it was so lovely to see her again and hear how she's more confident with applying her own makeup now. Her whole family were lovely, and the house was full of cheer and hugs on the wedding morning.

I saw Jen in her dress just before I left (and just WOW!) but I never get see the rest of the wedding until I see the photos, so getting photos back through from brides (and being tagged by photographers or other suppliers) is wonderful, so thank you to every single one of my wedding clients that let me share their photos.

Are you planning your wedding? Get in touch to enquire about your date. My 2022 books are open, and I have availability for late 2020 and throughout 2021.

Photography: Emily & Katy Photography (Assistant: Anna Rose Heaton)
Hairstylist: W&Co Hair
Flowers: Sophie's Flowers Co.
Dress: Kula Tsurdiu
Stylist: Curious Magpie

A Colourful Wedding at Home

Sali Jones — Tue, 26 May 2020 06:05:00 +0000

The glee in my heart when Hannah contacted me to tell me she was getting married and was I available on her wedding day made me squeal at my desk.

I'd done Hannah's makeup previously when she was a bridesmaid at her sister Lilith's wedding and it was such a wonderful wedding morning. When you just click with a wedding party, and the whole morning is filled with joy and I could've stayed all day! Having met Hannah and her family already, it was clear that her wedding to Kamran was going to be just as fun.

Hannah's a brilliant illustrator and wonderful creative soul, so I could've guessed that her wedding makeup was going to be fun to do but I loved how she encouraged me to use the brightest colours I have. I got out my Sugarpill Cosmetics palette and her eyes lit up!

It was great to be working with Sarah from Rock N Roller Hair again too (who also worked on Lilith's wedding) and I was pretty overjoyed to see Camera Hannah was going to be in charge of the camera-wielding. They are in my recommended suppliers as I love working with them both so much! Here are some more of the beautiful photos Hannah took of the day.

"I knew as soon as I was engaged that I had to have the amazing Sali do my wedding makeup! I first met her when she worked with my sister for her wedding and I was so impressed. Sali is the friendliest person you'll meet, as someone who's very self-conscious (especially about my face) Sali made me feel so comfortable and positive."

""She was very approachable and open to any ideas or changes I wanted, checking at every stage of the trial that I was happy with how things looked and being clear about what options there were. On the day itself, she arrived super promptly and was once again so lovely and friendly. It was like having a friend do your makeup!"

Hannah and Kamran's wonderful day was also featured in Rock n Roll Bride magazine!

Photographer: Camera Hannah
Wedding dress: Chotronette
Hair: RocknRoller Hair
Shoes: Irregular Choice
Hairwear: CcMillineryCreations
Flowers: Wysall Flower Farm

Are you planning your wedding? Get in touch to enquire about your date. My 2022 books are open, and I have availability for late 2020 and throughout 2021. Email me here.

Make Up Brands In My Kit

Sali Jones — Tue, 12 May 2020 06:05:00 +0000

When clients get in touch about booking me for wedding makeup, I'm often asked what's in my makeup kit and what products I use. Once you've come to my studio in Hockley in the city centre of Nottingham, you'll soon see the extent of my kit!

It's all been tried and tested and is packed full of high-end makeup products and some seriously tasty high street brands that pack a punch. I'm not sponsored by or have any commission from brands so anything I recommend is because I genuinely use it.

While I'll try all different types of makeup, I'm proud to offer an entirely cruelty-free makeup kit, and on request can do an entirely vegan makeup kit. I'm proud to use cruelty-free products and recommend them to my clients exclusively; there's really no need for animal testing in 2020, and I won't promote brands that do.

The brand I have most in my kit though is Illamasqua. Their Skinbase foundations are so lightweight but buildable and make you look like you've got real skin instead of a layer of product. I want my clients to look like they've got great skin, which is why I use great products and will offer you skincare advise that won't break the bank or be tricky to follow.

In my kit, you'll find:

Illamasqua
Hourglass
Tarte Cosmetics
Urban Decay
Morphe
NYX
Soap and Glory
E.L.F Cosmetics
The Body Shop
First Aid Beauty
Nip & Fab
Ardell
The Ordinary
Beauty Bakerie
Real Techniques
Sugarpill

If you want to know more about what I use or why I use it, book yourself in for a 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me. It's a two hour tutorial with me in person where we go through your makeup kit and talk about everything makeup; products, brushes, cleaning brushes, application tips, colours, brands, trends - you name it, I'll answer it honestly!

Included is a full write up of the lesson, going over each product we've used and how to apply it. I'll remind you of the products I've recommended, and any amendments to your application skills. I'll recommend you brushes to use, and how to clean said brushes. While you might forget what's in our initial one-to-one tutorial, you'll always have the written write up to jog your memory.

Book your makeup tutorial with me here. A voucher lasts you 12 months from the date you buy it, and I'll post you a voucher as a keepsake if you're planning to give the lesson to someone as a gift.

Even if you're not, it's a nice keepsake to keep on your fridge or on your dressing table!

Ruth at The Walled Garden

Sali Jones — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 06:05:00 +0000

August 2018 went by in a bit of a blur as I did more weddings that month than I'd ever done before. During the lockdown, it's been great going back through my photo archives to find weddings to blog, and I came across Ruth and Tim's big day. I spoke with Emily And Katy Photography who captured the day at The Walled Garden in Beeston and browsed their beautiful images. I've also included Ruth's review of hiring me which truly made me cry!

"Sali did my bridal make-up and three bridesmaids for my wedding on 12th August 2018 and she did an absolutely fantastic job – I’m so happy that I chose Sali! Sali was brilliant through every step of the process, from booking to the wedding day and her email correspondence was always spot on! Sali was even kind enough to pick me up from Nottingham train station for my make-up trial as I travelled down from Manchester for the day and made what could have been a stressful day as easy as possible 😊"

"I was rather vague in what I wanted for my bridal make-up, but Sali asked to look at photos of me with my make-up done and went from there to produce a look that I fell in love with – even going through 4 or 5 different shades of red lipstick to find ‘the one’!

On the wedding morning, Sali worked brilliantly to make myself and my bridal party feel both at ease and beautiful! She also has a great sense of humour and is so easy to get on with."

"The bridal pack Sali provides is very thoughtful – the sweets were needed for energy purposes and the tissues were used during the ceremony! Sali is also a dab-hand with a hair grip - I’d have never gotten all the buttons on my wedding dress fastened if it wasn’t for Sali’s helping hand!"

"My make-up stayed put all day through to the early hours – even after plenty of drinking and dancing – and my eyebrows have never looked so good! I can’t recommend Sali highly enough! Thank you so much for everything! xxx"

Are you planning your wedding? My 2022 books are open, and I have availability for late 2020 and throughout 2021. Let's talk about your face :)

Elvaston Castle wedding

Sali Jones — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 06:05:00 +0000

Back in August 2018, I did a promo shoot for alternative wedding fair Tying the Nott - the next one is on 25 October 2020! It was a fabulous collaborative shoot with wedding suppliers from all over the East Midlands that were wonderful to meet and a joy to work with. Louise was one of the models for the day, despite having never modelled before and did a great job!

Louise mentioned she was planning her own wedding for 2019, and it was lovely when she got in touch to book me for her big day.

(Louise by Dave Fuller Photography for Tying the Nott)

We went for less of the bright purple in her eyes and oomph-ed up the glamour! We tried a few different lipsticks and settled on a dark red for her wedding makeup, which complimented her colouring perfectly and her lush red hair. To frame her gorgeously shaped eyes, we went for a slicker and longer line of eyeliner too. For the wedding, she enlisted the help of my vintage partner in crime and hairstyling, Sarah from Pin Up Curl. You just know she was bound to look beautiful on her wedding day! She married her beau Luke at Elvaston Castle.

I found out last week too that their wonderful wedding was featured over on the Rock N Roll Bride blog. Have a read of it here!

Louise left me this lovely review:

Planning your wedding day? With so many 2020 weddings being postponed into 2021, be sure you get in touch early to secure me for your wedding day with a small deposit. I've also opened up my 2022 books early!

Behind the scenes with Moo

Sali Jones — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 10:50:00 +0000

In September 2020 I'll have been full-time self-employed for three years, and what a rollercoaster it's been!

I've done more one-to-one makeup lessons than ever, been a part of many more wedding mornings that I can remember, and done makeup for lots of exciting projects. I also won an award (Freelance Make Up Specialist of the Year 2018 at the English Hair and Beauty Awards!), and have JUST last week found out I'm a finalist for Bridal Makeup Specialist of the Year 2020 and the Make Up Awards.

I'll have been doing weddings for a decade this year, and 2020 has been shaping up so beautifully.

Last year I also started putting my iPad and pencil to use and applying my doodles (I'm still weirded out by saying "illustrator") to badges and set up a little Etsy shop, MooDoodlesUK. I've only got a handful of designs on there so far and have since launched five new greetings cards, but it's lovely that my creative outlet gets to bring other people joy too. Have a little look here!

Fast forward to January this year, heading back into my office after a festive break, I calculated that I was starting the year with more wedding bookings for the year ahead than I have ever started a year with before. It's a wonderful position to be in as a business, but something I'm immensely proud of is that so many brides-to-be and womxn choose to have me be their wedding makeup artist. I love the rapport I build up with my clients, and it means the world to me when each and every bride chooses to have me with them on their wedding morning.

Now here we are, three months into the year and everything is on its head.

The last 2/3 weeks I've seen so many people within the wedding industry open up on various Facebook groups about what they can do to support their clients. I've seen wedding suppliers from all areas of the industry be supportive of one another, and throw out suggestions to support their compadres who're trying to keep their head above water. Above all, I've seen so many wedding suppliers who just want to do best by their couples, who are facing the unprecedented prospect of having to postpone their wedding.

Coupling this with trying to keep myself and my business afloat hasn't been easy, I can tell you.

All of my wedding clients up to the end of June have now been postponed, thankfully without any crossover with their rescheduled dates. With a decade of experience in wedding makeup in Nottingham and all across the UK, you can bet that I'm prepared for any and all eventualities with weddings, but no one could've prepared for this. That said, I am here for you and I'm stubborn enough to continue to be here long into the future. I love what I do, and I do what I love; I won't go down without a fight.

In the meantime, if you want to support me over the coming months, you can buy a gift voucher for a one to one makeup lesson or a voucher for a makeover when all this lockdown business is over; each voucher is going to be valid for 12 months instead of six and will be posted to you so that if you're treating someone else you can have a voucher to gift to them. Alternatively, buy one for yourself and let's put a plan in place to level up your face for late 2020!

You could buy a greetings card or badge from my Etsy store for yourself or as a little gift for someone. Alternatively, you can commission me to do you a custom doodle; if you want a business card, special birthday card, portrait, slogan/saying, family name etc illustrating, please message me. I've more spare time on my hand now and would love to test myself, and spread some lovely jubbly around!

Until then, stay home, wash your hands, keep hydrated, and clean your makeup brushes!

love Moo xx

Jen and Jamie at The Old Vicarage at Elkesley

Sali Jones — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:10:00 +0000

Jen and Jamie's wedding day was possibly the wettest wedding day in the history of my decade in wedding makeup! They thoroughly embraced the rain though and were totally committed to having the best day ever.

Jen's wedding morning was the epitome of chill; we giggled, had a sneaky post-breakfast G&T (Jen, not me!), and had a craic of innuendo and inappropriate jokes with the talented and warm Laura from L.H.Professional Hair.

It was a great morning and made all the funnier when the marvellous Ed Godden arrived. I've worked with Ed a few times over the years, and I always adore knowing he's doing a wedding as the photos will be incredible. Because of this, he's one of my recommended suppliers! Have a look at Maya's wedding photos by him on my blog here.

Here's some of the gorgeous photos of Jen and Jamie's wet n wild wedding by Ed, and a couple of photos from me taken at her trial and on her wedding morning. You'll soon be able to tell the difference in a professional photographer and someone who got an E in GCSE Photography!

Jen left me this really lovely review;

"As soon as I saw pictures of Sali's wedding makeup I knew I had found "The One". I couldn't believe it when Sali was available; she delivered on all levels! As I am someone who hardly ever ventures into the unchartered territory of makeup, Sali listened to me, guided me through, understood who I was as a person and used that within my look, Sali used vegan and cruelty-free products which is super important to me. Sali kept my natural features and enhanced them, you could still see my freckles through my makeup which is such a skill, I had the most immense contouring that I have ever had in my life, I honestly felt I looked like a Rockstar!"

"I can honestly say I tested my face to the limit on my wedding day, torrential rain, crazy sweaty dancing, grins that the Cheshire cat would be proud of, hugging and kissing everyone, even when I cried I looked beautiful (which is a miracle!). When I went to bed that night my makeup looked like it had when we applied it at 10am! Sali made my mum, my sister and me all look like the best versions of ourselves but keeping our natural beauty glowing through! Sali individualised our looks and I honestly feel that Sali uses magic dust not makeup! Getting ready on the morning of our wedding felt like I was getting ready with a best friend! Sali and I had the best time and her zen-like calmness with cheeky banter makes her one of the best humans I have ever met! I want to get married all over again to have Sali back in my life! It was like meeting someone from my own tribe!"

Overall: Sali is the ultimate, babe-atron, magical, makeup Goddess, you need Sali in your wedding life!!

Planning your wedding day? Let's talk about your wedding makeup plans.

Venue: Old Vicarage at Elkesley
Hair: L.H.Professional Hair
Flowers: Branching Out Retford
Photographer: Ed Godden Photography
Dress: Lillian West from The Wedding Room

Charlotte and Matt at The West Mill

Sali Jones — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 09:16:00 +0000

Charlotte contacted me a year before her wedding to book me for her big day after she'd followed me on Instagram for a while. Sorting out her contract and deposit within about 48 hours, she ticked me off her to-do list early on!

Charlotte compiled a fabulous team around her for her wedding day, here are some gorgeous photos of Charlotte and her husband Matt from the mega-talented Matt Brown Photography. He photographed Rebecca's big day a few years ago, have a look at my blog here.

Charlotte left me this really lovely review;

"I am so pleased that I had Sali with me on my wedding day - not only for her amazing make-up skills but because she was a lovely person to have with me and my bridal party! Sali is friendly, funny and knows exactly how to calm down a nervous or stressed out bride!
I wasn't experienced in using (or wearing) a lot of make-up but at my trial, Sali really helped me to feel comfortable, work out what I wanted and even helped me feel more confident about trying different types of make-up.
On the day, my make-up was great - just like I wanted and lasted all day. I strongly recommend booking Sali for your wedding day "

You'll hear wedding suppliers say about booking them in advance if you're wanting them involved in your big day, and we stress it for a reason. It's awful turning people away!

Are you getting married at The West Mill? I can't wait to hear from you!

Venue: The West Mill
Hair: Helen Sutcliffe | Hair Stylist
Flowers: Avant Garden Weddings
Photographer: Matt Brown Photography
Dress: Allison Louise Bridal Studio

Ms Moo Social Media

Sali Jones — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 00:05:00 +0000

Click here to find all my social media offerings!

https://www.msmoomakeup.com/social-media

Social Media Links

Sali Jones — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:05:00 +0000

Social Media Links

My name is Sali (or Moo!) and I’m an award-winning professional make-up artist and wedding makeup specialist. I'm guessing you've found me via Instagram, so here are a few handy links for you to get to where you want to be.

Photo by Camera Hannah Photography.

2019 Wedding date availability

Sali Jones — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 14:46:00 +0000

My blog post with available wedding dates last year was super busy and seemingly useful, so here's the 2019 version! If you're getting married in 2019, here are what Friday and Saturday's I have left available. If you're looking for weekdays or Sundays, then please send me a message; I have plenty of availability! :)

Friday 1st November

Saturday 2nd November

Friday 8th November
Saturday 23th November

Saturday 30th November

Friday 6th December

Saturday 7th December

Friday 13th December
Saturday 21th December

Want to read more?

- Read about how to choose the right make-up artist for you

- What to do before your wedding make-up trial

- Wedding morning preparation advice

Kara and Thomas

Sali Jones — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 09:05:00 +0000

Kara's face has been shown to me by so many brides-to-be this year for how they would love their wedding makeup to look, so I had to blog with a few more images from her wedding! It was the first time I'd worked with Emily and Katy Photography, and I was blown away by them. Both are an amazing double act, and you can see the cogs going behind their eyes, searching for their next shot. They are both really lovely too!

Here is Kara and her Mum's trial makeup. Lynne doesn't wear a lot of makeup and didn't want to look or feel fake. I reassured her and let her check through each stage of the makeup to make sure she felt good about her face.

Kara got ready at home with her bridesmaids, her Dad and her Mum. There was a great atmosphere, her hairstylists were lovely and chatty and her bridesmaids were so lovely. It was a fab morning and as always an utter pleasure to get a bride-to-be ready for their big day!

Here's some of the photos from her big day, and Kara's gorgeous review. What a beaut!

"I booked Sali after finding her website on Google, I was so impressed with her full package that I didn't really look elsewhere after I found her. I had my trial with my mum on the day of my hen do and boy did I love it! There was nothing too over the top so it didn't look like me but she did the perfect job. Plus I didn't give her much to work with as I had no idea what I wanted and she did a fantastic job of enhancing my normal makeup. My mum was thrilled too! On my wedding day, Sali arrived ready to do mine and my bridesmaid's faces along with my mum's and she absolutely smashed it. Everyone felt at ease and she's so laid back and easy to get along with. During a very busy and hectic morning, it's nice to have a calming influence. Sali also stuck around in case she could help after she'd finished which was great as I needed help sticking my dress on! I felt so good and so many people commented on my make up throughout the day. Thank you Sali for making me feel beautiful x"

You can see more photos on Emily and Katy Photography's blog.

Romantically minimalist at Wollaton Hall

Sali Jones — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 14:55:00 +0000

Wollaton Hall needs no introduction; if you live in or around Nottingham, you'll know it! For those who aren't from Nottingham, it's a Grade II listed Elizabethan house within the Nottingham City boundaries and is a little slice of calm. It's home to Nottingham Natural History Museum, two different types of endangered Japanese deer and most famously known for being 'Wayne Manor' from Batman's A Dark Knight Rises.

Anna from Pear and Bear Photography asked me to do makeup for the styled wedding photoshoot on a Sunday back in September 2017. I couldn't attend the photoshoot so I was super excited to see the photos. Becky was a gorgeous 'bride to be' and knew she'd photograph beautifully from this behind the scenes selfie.

Photographer: Pear and Bear Photography

Dress: Jenny Packham from Frances Day Bridal

Venue - Wollaton Hall

Cake - Studio Chocolate

Flowers - Catkin Flowers

Stationary - Amy Bailey Design

Silk runners - Little Acorn Silks

You can see more on the Save the Date magazine blog where the shoot was featured!

Laura & Joe at Calke Abbey

Sali Jones — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:27:00 +0000

Laura and Joe may have got married in 2016, but I'm mega behind on my blogging and I absolutely wanted to share these photos from Humpston and Bull Photography. Every time I have to submit images somewhere I want to put one in from Laura's wedding because she looked sensational; just look at that smile!

Laura hired me as her wedding make-up artist on the recommendation from someone else. She had wanted to do her own makeup but decided with around 6 months to go that she didn't want the stress of doing it herself when she wanted to enjoy her wedding morning. That's what the day is about; no stress! Laura's focus was all about the eyes, so we kept it fairly neutral in colour with eyeliner and falsies to glam it up. Coupled with a soft low up-do and her BLINGTASTIC wedding dress, she looked like a film star. You can see more photos from their wedding on Humpston and Bull's website here.

So, while it's now been two years that Laura and Joe became Mr and Mrs Pilero, I hope you've enjoyed looking at their wedding photos. Get in touch to book me as your wedding make-up artist!

Jenny & Eddie at Kelham House

Sali Jones — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 10:55:00 +0000

Jenny got in touch with me in January 2017 about her wedding in June 2017, but due to a mix up with an email address, I wasn't able to get in touch with her! Technology well and truly failed us, and I took to Facebook to look for people with her name and surname. Alas, I couldn't find her so couldn't let her know I was available for her wedding makeup. This made me sad because she'd said she really liked the photos on my website! Fast forward to June 2017 and unfortunately, the make-up artist she'd booked had been taken ill and she contacted me again with the right email address and I was still available! We arranged a trial, high-fived on the make-up and breathed a big ole sigh of relief.

Fast forward to the wedding morning; what an absolute hoot! As Jenny was having her makeup done by me, she was grabbed by the urge to go bounce on the trampoline in the garden. With very little encouragement from myself and Kathryn Edwards, she went and joined her Dad to which Kathryn got the below amazing photo! I'll leave you with other awesome photos at Kelham House, with a big shout out to Mrs Umbles for flowers and Mon Amie for hair!

What Ms Moo has been up to

Sali Jones — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:05:00 +0000

Oh, my poor blog; how I’ve neglected you!

I made a resolution to blog every week back in 2016 and I kept to it! I achieved 52 blogs in 52 weeks… and then I trickled into 2017 and hardly blogged at all. Six times in fact!

So, the lesson here is that while it was good I kept to my resolution, it was perhaps not something I could keep up or something that I absolutely adored doing. It was a real struggle at times! It caused me anxiety if I didn’t have a blog to release when I probably shouldn’t have worried quite so much.

And so here I am now, feeling ready to start blogging again. I had probably best recap last 18 months…

- In September last year, I left my desk job of 10 years to become full-time self-employed. I now wholly work for myself – wahoo! I’d reduced my hours over the last 5 years and then decided to make the leap. So far, it’s been BRILLIANT. It’s 100% the best thing I’ve done :)
- In 2017, I did the most number of brides in one year that I’d ever done. I did about 130+ brides, bridesmaids, mother of the brides and everyone else in between! And that doesn’t include photo shoots, hair shows, special occasion makeovers or the 1-2-1 lessons I taught… which was about 35 lessons, and I’ve got absolutely no idea how many of the others. All of this was while I was still working 28ish hours per week at the desk job too.
- Oh, and I started working as a freelance social media manager. I’d learnt a lot about social media from someone I'd contracted to do mine, and as I got to know more I was hooked – I got qualified and started to take on clients, and now it’s what I do. It’s crazy and amazing and I love getting to help small businesses succeed.
- I WON AN AWARD! I won the award of “Freelance Make-up Specialist of the Year” at the English Hair and Beauty Awards 2018. So now I can legit say I’m award-winning.

So now I work for myself, I’ve booked more weddings than I ever have before and they show no signs of stopping. I absolutely adore my job as a makeup artist and will tell anyone who asks me that there is nothing better in my job than seeing someone look at themselves in the mirror after I’ve finished doing their makeup and seeing them smile at themselves. I’d like to think I help empower people to feel confident and beautiful, and getting to do that on the best day of their lives is a massive honour.

So basically, I’m now busier than ever and freer than ever because I work for myself. Which is amazing! My goal has always been to leave my desk job and now I have… so what’s next? Well, you’ll have to stick around to find out :) Until then, here are some pretty pictures of brides from 2016 (some of whom I’ll blog about, I promise!) so that this isn't 100% waffling text.

Summer 2018 availability- updated!

Sali Jones — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 08:35:00 +0000

If you're getting married this summer, here are what dates I have left available. If you're looking for weekdays or Sundays, then please send me a message; I have plenty of availability :)

Friday 24 August

Saturday 25 August

Monday 27 August
Friday 31 August

Friday 14 September

Saturday 15 September

Friday 5 October

Friday 12 October
Friday 19 October

Friday 26 October

Contact me for availability from November 2018!

Want to read more?

- Read about how to choose the right make-up artist for you

- What to do before your wedding make-up trial

- Wedding morning preparation advice

Cleaning your make-up brushes

Sali Jones — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 12:45:00 +0000

Cleaning brushes is a make-up artists never-ending task. It just goes on and on and on – and when you’ve got weddings back to back, it sometimes feels like you’re in a never-ending cycle of cleaning them. I’ve often dreamt about cleaning them or having not cleaned them and then panicking, and then I’ve woken up exhausted!

It’s really important to get into a good routine of cleaning your brushes regularly. I used to clean brushes with something gentle but medicated like Head and Shoulders, Fairy Liquid or baby shampoo. Just use a small amount in the palm of your hand (you can get all sorts of little cleaning brush pads too these days) and lukewarm water. Using hot water will melt the glue that holds the bristles in place and can make them brittle. Wood handles really don’t like being in water either! Once they’ve rinsed clear, it’s really important you gently absorb excess water with some kitchen roll or flannel and then leave the brush to dry naturally. There’s a fair few people who’d dry their brushes on a radiator or with a hairdryer, but only ever in an emergency. With how much brushes cost these days, you don’t want to knacker them out – treat them with care!

With how often I’m cleaning brushes, these days I go for a quick drying solution. I don’t have the time to leave them to dry naturally all the time and water can make them smell a little funny.

There's two different types of cleaner that I use, but both are brilliant. For ease of use at home, I recommend the IsoClean Cleansing Solution. It's free from alcohol, parabens and sulphates, and is vegan. It's got a conditioning quality to it too, which looks after your brushes long term. (if you purchase from Look Fantastic, use my code LFTFSALIMOO for a discount!)

Spray onto the brush and rub the brush into a clean flannel or kitchen roll.

When cleaning bigger foundation brushes or stipple brushes, I pour a little of the cleanser out into a beaker/glass and dip my brush into it. Just enough to cover the bristles of the brushes, and swirl it a little. It’ll help get all the product out. You can then use kitchen roll or a clean flannel to squeeze the brush dry. Rubbing the bristles can help too but again, you want your brushes to last as long as possible. Within about 10 minutes, the cleaner will have evaporated off and you’ll have a perfect clean brush.

What do you use to clean your brushes? Have you any horror stories?!

My illamasqua must haves

Sali Jones — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Illamasqua is a makeup artists best friend. I constantly bang on about them in my 1-2-1 lessons and at my bridal trials when clients ask who they are or why have they heard of them in stores. As they've announced a 20% off sale over Easter, I thought I'd guide you through some of my all-time favourite products that will enhance any makeup kit tenfold. Strap in!

Gel Sculpt in Silhouette

This is the absolute best contour product ever. EVER. I've used lots of others, but this is just the best; for all skin types and tones. Buildable and so easy to blend, you'd be absolutely mad not to get this while it's on offer. It will add definition to your jawline and cheekbones in the gentlest way but if you want mad contour I'd maybe darken it up a bit with some powder after. NB; please don't leave a stripey line on your face. For the love of all things shiny, BLEND.

Pigment in Furore

I use this pigment as a highlighter but it's multipurpose which makes it ACE. Pop it over some cream shadow to make it really pop on your eyes, or mix with some Sealing Gel to create an eyeliner if you fancy being fancy! Its shimmer is amazing and there are tiny flecks of bigger shimmer, but it's no way glittery and looks absolutely BOSS in the sun. Just, go get it. Right now.

(photo below shows the contour and highlight in action!)

Primer - Matte Veil

Any birds with an oil slick masquerading as a forehead, come listen to Sali. This stuff works. It will actually mattify you, not like plenty of other brands (*cough*Benefit POREfessional *cough*) who say they are mattifying and actually don't. Like, at all. Use the cute little spoon and pop some on the back of your hand, one scoop at a time. Use a clean finger to rub in (NB: I said finger and not fingers/palms - delicately does it) and in no time at all you will be matte. Not dry-skinned and chalky, but just actually matte. It's BRILLIANT. If you get dry skin, get Hydra Veil.

Eyeshadow in Jubilance

It's back in stock! GET IT NOW. It's just incredibly beautiful. Any tan you have this summer will be complemented perfectly from this rose gold shadow. Again, it's shimmery and not glittery and it picks up beautifully without leaving fall out all over your face. Blend with a warm matte brown or pink for mega on-trend eye baubles this summer. Which you should then couple with...

Antimatter lipstick in Bang

Semi-matte lipstick Bang, is slightly pink and slightly brown and wholeheartedly gorgeous. It's becoming a firm favourite for brides of 2017, for a long-lasting lipstick without too matte a feel on their lips. But what does it for me is the colour; it's so rich and warm, but can easily transfer from day time to night time.

Also; VEGAN! Three out of these five products are vegan friendly and ALL of Illamasqua's range is cruelty-free.

Here's also two other blogs I've written about illamasqua - Top 6 picks from their Christmas sale and why I don't have MAC in my kit.

My eyebrows and me; part two

Sali Jones — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 09:25:00 +0000

I posted this blog back in September 2016 about my eyebrows and me. The appointment with the salon I had booked my eyebrows with didn't go ahead, and it did knock my confidence a bit; my eyebrows are really important to me, and not having had any for 10+ years it was really disappointing to be treated so badly. But it didn't deter me in finally getting them done, it just took me 6 months to find time where I could get them done!

I remember posting that blog on my Facebook page and Charmaine commenting about them and giving me some seriously excellent advice on how to make sure I get the right shape for my face. Her advice was genuinely friendly to make sure I got the best service I could despite being booked to go elsewhere for my tattoo appointment. Basically, she was a top bird for giving two hoots about me when she really didn't need to. It was down to that friendly advice and kind personality that I decided to message Charmaine about her doing my eyebrows for me when I next found opportunity.

I'll leave the images do the talking, but there are some progress photos of the bottom to show the healing process. I'm due my 4 week top up soon, which I absolutely can't wait for now - they've faded quite a bit, which is to be expected but the shape is brilliant and I've been able to pencil over them a little now the flaking/scabbing has stopped. It's so much easier each morning than drawing them on from scratch!

Images before and after by Charmaine at her studio in Bodycraft, Nottingham - fresh brows, aren't they amazing?!

Drawing up my brows - the longest bit of the appointment! Tattooing them only took about 20/25 minutes.

I'll update you all when I've had the top-up appointment, and leave you with the review I left Charmaine on her Facebook page as it says everything I want to <3 Pretty Pigment semi-permanent make-up by Charmaine.s. Bodycraft

EDIT 2020: She's no longer based at Bodycraft Nottingham, but is still based in Nottingham!

"Charmaine did my eyebrows on Monday this week after I bit the bullet about getting them done. I'd been let down previously by a salon, but speaking with Charmaine and reading reviews from previous clients I felt in safe hands. I've hardly any eyebrows left due to a medical condition and have drawn them on for nearly 15 years.

She was professional, friendly, honest and caring - she clearly loves what she does, and she does it very well. The pain was pretty much none existent; aside from feeling your eyeball vibrate every now and then and some slight pressure in your brow bone, that's as uncomfortable as it gets! I've loved waking up each day this week with eyebrows, and now that the scabs are coming away I can't wait for my top up! Thank you Charmaine <3"

Five must have products for a tenner or under

Sali Jones — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 09:25:00 +0000

Someone asked me at a make-up lesson recently what my favourite budget product was. In my make-up kit, I have got a whole range of products and brands and I'll always try to find a high street version of a premium brand. Not always easy but I do try! However, here's 5 products that are all £10.00 or under that I wholly recommend you get for your kit.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - £9.99 (Often a few quid cheaper on Amazon)

The Expert Face Brush is a godsend. I have a fair few of them in my kit and swear by them. Use them to blend foundation, concealer, highlighter, contour, blusher - everything! The brush is super soft, using 100% cruelty-free synthetic bristles. It’ll blend liquid foundation beautifully and not leave any streaky marks if you buff the product in. Apply the product with a foundation brush first, and this will work the rest of the magic.

NYX Professional Makeup Dark Circle Concealer (£6.50)

I’ve got this in a few shades now, but I personally use Fair at home. Don’t be alarmed by the colour of it though; as it’s slightly peachy, it’ll cover the dark circles better. I use a brush to get the product from the tub (somewhat difficult to just get your finger in there and also, germs!) and then use either the Expert Face Brush or a clean fingertip to pat and dab the product into place. Less really is more.

Nivea Soft moisturiser (£2.45)

I seemingly ended up with lots of Nivea skincare sets at Christmas, and so have been using them all up. I'm really taken with the Nivea Soft moisturiser. It's not the right product for my face as I have quite oily skin and doesn't have SPF, but I've used it pretty much everywhere else; it sinks in really well, doesn't leave you greasy and a little goes a long way. It's only a couple of quid for a tube too. I've got one at the side of my bed and in my handbag; great on my hands when I'm cleaning brushes all the time, and for rubbing into my feet at the end of a long day. Not cruelty-free though, I'm afraid; they don't test on animals, but they do sell in China :(

Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blott (£10.00, but often on buy 3 for 2)

Not the best primer I've ever used, but for a tenner this product is boss. It helps your skin if you tend to get shiny, and evens out your skin tone helping remove any redness. It's not to be used like polyfiller but it does certainly help your pores.

Soap and Glory 2-in-1 Brow Sculpting Crayon and Setting Gel (£10.00, but often on buy 3 for 2)

It's seriously easy to sculpt and fill in your brows with this product, as the applicator and crayon are already angled and then there's the little brow brush on the other end with gel to groom your brows. Use the flat of the crayon to fill in your brows and then use the thinner edge to sculpt the shape. You don't need the gel really but if you've some longer brows that are a bit wayward, this stuff just helps keep them in place.

Hilda's wedding

Sali Jones — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 09:25:00 +0000

Hilda married last February 2016 in Kelham Hall, Nottinghamshire. Sarah from Pin Up Curl and I were in charge of bridal hair and make-up for Hilda and her lovely bridesmaids, but we had a super early start to get over to Newark. Waking up in the morning with a dusting of snow and quite thick fog was a bit of a surprise!

Hilda wanted a very natural look for her make-up as she didn't usually wear a lot. We used such a light dusting of blusher to flush her cheeks and compliment her pale skin, my favourite Ardell demi wispie eyelashes teamed with Illamasqua's Minx lipstick. Her dress was 'Asha' by Berketex and she had the brightest, most beautiful bouquet I've ever seen in February before!

I will leave you with photos from Welham Photography :)

Top 6 picks for the Illamasqua sale

Sali Jones — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 11:10:00 +0000

As you know if you're a reader of my blog or have ever had a 1-2-1 make-up lesson with me, I adore Illamasqua products. They are cruelty-free, have a background in stage make-up (so their stuff stays put!), they have an extensive vegan collection and they actively encourage individuality - you want a deep sea blue and green lipstick? They've got it! Every year, Illamasqua have a January sale and I held out as long as I can because now I know that they'll keep adding things as the month goes on. I hopped over on Friday to have a browse through... Go. Go now. There are some AMAZING bargains!

Radiance Veil - usually £32.00, reduced to £9.60.

GET THIS. You only need a tiny bit of it each time so it will last you a long time but apply it before your foundation and your skin will sing! Using too much will make you look like a glitterball instead of the belle of the ball, but it'll make you look like you've had more sleep than you've actually had. It's got such a light texture, and beautiful finish - not at all heavy or clumpy. It's not that kind of primer to smooth your skin but it does help foundation stay put and give you a healthy glow instead of being glittery. (edit: damnit, out of stock now!)

Demise Palette - usually £34.00, reduced to £10.20.

There are mixed reviews on this palette, but for the sale price, I certainly think it's worth getting. Two beautiful matte shadows, a highlighting white and a creamier rose/red gold shadow. They all blend amazingly too.

Precision Ink in Wisdom - usually £20.50, now £6.15

Beautiful, beautiful colour. These liquid liners apply beautifully with incredible staying power, as long as you don't overload your eyelid. The nib of the applicator allows great precision lines. Suiting eyes that are brown/green/hazel, the hint of gold in 'Wisdom' is lovely. If you don't have time for a full set of eye make-up, a slick of this is both subtle and gorgeous.

Gel Colour in Fluster Pink - usually £22.00, now £6.60

I say to all my make-up lesson clients that the Illamasqua Gel Sculpt in Silhouette is the best contour product out there. The gel blends so effortlessly, and there's nothing else quite like it on the high street. This is their Gel Colour in Fluster; it's not a contour product, but a touch of it on your cheeks and over your cheekbones will add the healthiest hum of colour back to your cheeks. Beautiful in the summer if you're just wearing a bit of tinted moisturiser; you'll soon be using this religiously.

Eye Slick Stick in Mass - usually £18.50, now £5.55

You will not find a better black kohl eyeliner. It's as simple (and brilliant) as that.

Lipstick in Shard - usually £19.50, now £5.85

I do love this colour, but I don't think it's anything like how it's shown on the website so here's a swatch on my inner wrist and their stock picture. It's got a matte finish but it's nowhere near as matte as some of their shades. A gorgeous rich wine-like colour which is obviously bang-on-trend right now, and a super warming colour for any occasion. It's not quite any colour in particular, more just that it's red and burgundy and purple all at the same time!

It was really difficult to pick my top 6 items from their sale; they nail polishes are incredible, their Masquara applies so lovelily (and I love the shape of the brush), their lip slicks and lip colours match perfectly to their lipsticks - just all of it! If you can, treat yourself. You won't be disappointed!

2016 - that's a wrap!

Sali Jones — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 13:55:00 +0000

I can remember starting this blog in late 2015 and writing up my review of the year and wondering how I was ever going to get to write a blog each week - well I've done it! I've managed 51 blogs in 52 weeks which is astounding for me; and there's more to come! I did a list back in August 2016 of everything I've done this year, so I've managed to add on the other months to compile the below list. Are you ready?!

In the last 365 days, I have,

- taught 40 one-to-one make-up lessons,
- done 37 makeovers,
- 26 weddings,
- 19 photoshoots,
- ran 8 business consultancy meetings,
- had four business meetings,
- set up a new business,
- achieved a merit in Digital Marketing diploma,
- achieved a distinction in Blogging & Content Marketing diploma,
- achieved a distinction in Social Media Marketing diploma,
- did an intern day,
- won a £1000.00 voucher to spend on my hair,
- completed two interviews,
- passed my driving theory test,
- failed two driving tests,
- passed one driving test,
- bought a car,
- ran social media campaigns for 6 businesses,
- attended a Google Seminar,
- taught at a WI meeting,
- attended & spoke at CHAMS,
- interviewed for BBC Radio Nottingham & for NTU on behalf of BODY,
- visited York,
- holidayed in Ibiza twice,
- holidayed in Malta,
- celebrated my 30th birthday,
- been on 3 Spa Days,
- completed CBT therapy,
- did a Logiclock experience evening,
- volunteered weekly for BODY,
- seen Ross Noble, Machine Head, Nathan Caton, Reginald D Hunter, Gary Delaney, Russell Howard, Prof. Brian Cox, Bear Grylls, Yellowcard, Limp Bizkit, KoRn,
- went to Download,
- went to Wales to see my parents,
- went to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Champions Tennis
- fed a squirrel,
- and been on a catamaran.

Whilst also working 28.5 hours a week at my desk job and managing my own business. Not bad eh?

So, a quick summary of my top personal and professional moments; difficult for both as there's been so many, and I think personally and professionally it's been my best year ever.

Ms Moo.
1 - I've done more make-up lessons this year than 2014 and 2015 COMBINED. Last year I'd done more than any other year and this year I've blown that number out of the park. Lots of vouchers were purchases as Christmas gifts too so I look forward to meeting lots of new clients in 2017!
2 - Beautiful weddings! I've done more than ever, AGAIN. I've worked with brilliant photographers, more lovely hairstylists than I can shake a curling iron at and got to witness the incredible smiles from happy clients when they look in the mirror. Thank you for having me along for your ride on the most special day of your year/life <3
3 - Exclusive magazine cover! Getting to be on the front cover of a Nottinghamshire magazine and for me to showcase my work was amazing.

Sali.
1 - I've made myself go on holiday. Three of them! I figure if I'm working so hard I'm going to book flights when I can, and then go away. Why not, eh? Flights already booked to go to Malta at the end of January, and plans for Berlin in July for Niall's 30th birthday.
2 - Embracing change; learning to drive, getting my diplomas, and then starting work as a social media manager. It's been hard work, I won't lie but I love doing it; I love getting results for people, I love stats, I love helping people get the best out of themselves and driving their business forward. My monthly groups to help out a group of local businesswomen have been so brilliant, and I'm looking to expand on that in the coming year. My 2017 is looking to be special and can't wait to get stuck in with what I've already started in 2016.
3 - Niall. Honestly, never met anyone as like me as he is. And yet we're completely different too. I'm lucky that I get to spend every day with my best friend. Thank you for making me the happiest I've ever been. <3

Happy New Year everyone!

Ms Moo's Sales Shopping List

Sali Jones — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I decided early on this year not to do Christmas presents with friends or family, but to donate to some charities close to my heart. I'm going to donate what I would've spent on presents (Framework, CALM, Heads Together and MOAS) and instead of going to be booking in some mates' dates! Exchanging time is far more valuable to me when I'm this busy so I'm looking forward to planning some of them in for the coming months.

That said, it's not stopped me scouring some of my favourite stores for items I might check in on when the sales hit! I figured I'd do a quick round up a few things that have caught my eye that I have to share with you. Some of them are make-up related, some of them are just... well, you'll see...

Rose Gold Holographic Nail Polish - ilnpbrand

Just, phwoar! Rose gold has been a BIG colour in 2016 and I don't see it going away anytime soon. Stunning colour and the glitter pay off for this looks incredible. Bling nails? Yes, please!

Morphe Brushes 15-piece vegan pro set

I always want more brushes because as a make-up artist you can never have too many! I think I'll be getting this set as a treat to myself no matter what but if it's a little less in the sales, that'd be amazing.

ZOEVA Vegan Prime Makeup Brush Set

So yeah, this is yet another vegan set of brushes but look at them! Zoeva brushes are amazing but there's a lot of them that are made with natural hair. This vegan set makes me happy that all my clients can use it, and no animals were hurt for us to look good.

Freddie Mercury Puns Illustrated Postcard Pack from Katie Abey Designs

As a massive Queen fan, and Katie Abey fan (I did her wedding make-up; photos coming soon, they are ace!) these postcards are gonna brighten up my office a treat! Her whole Etsy is a pun-tastic dream.

Miss Patisserie Bath Bomb Gift Box Floral Variety Box

Had a few of these over the years and they always smell lush. Even just the box smells incredible; leave it in the bottom of your wardrobe, every time you open the doors you'll smile! The perfect excuse for a long soak.

Harry Potter Inspired Mason Jar Lamp from PracPerfCrafts

Honestly. Just wow! It's gorgeous. I've already got a wake-up lamp for my bedroom but this would be brilliant in my living room. I would only improve it by turning the bottom bit into some sort of red glitter lava lamp!

Dawny's Sewing Room Sugar Skull Large Bag

I really don't NEED any more bags for my make-up kit, but damnit I want one! This is lovely, and each of Dawny's items is handmade with a great finish. If you have a pet that you like dressing up, check out the little dog and cat bandanas she makes!

Imaginary Foundation Study Art Print

I've had this photo as my cover photo on Facebook for a while, and it took me ages to find out where it's from. It could honestly just be like the inside of my brain! I think this' would be brilliant in my office, but I'm going to have to act fast to get it. Hopefully, there's a sale on in January!

Strudel & Spice Scented Soy Candle - Little Miss Delicious

I had the cinnamon one of these last Christmas, and it was delicious. It really makes your whole room smell divine. Cruelty-free, biodegradable (because it's soy) and you can reuse the cute tin too. Boss!

Brecon Special Reserve Gin

I've had this once before as a gift at Christmas and it's only recently I remembered it! I'm not sure if it was the gin or the fact its Welsh gin that made it taste good so I figure I better get another bottle and do the necessary research.

Vivienne Westwood Divina handbag

I've coveted Vivienne Westwood handbags for a very long time. I've got a range of jewellery and accessories but I've never dared to spend essentially half my rent on a handbag... but they are oh so pretty! I'll keep my eye out on the sale but I couldn't include this absolute beaut.

Sutherland and Barnett - Part Two

Sali Jones — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:25:00 +0000

What is this, another blog? I've got other blogs lined up to see out the rest of 2016, but I couldn't leave the year without another instalment from my hair adventures with Sutherland and Barnett. To re-cap (no pun intended!), I won £1000.00 of hairdressing services from them to use over 12 months! Hayley was tasked with colouring my hair and telling me what was achievable and suitable for me. Good honest advice is always welcomed! At my consultation, she took a strand of my hair to test how well it would lighten and told me to book out a good 6 hours for my transformation...

As always at Sutherland and Barnett, I have been well looked after. Offered coffee, tea, wine, and fruit juice - all manner of drinks! One of the trainees even offered to go get my lunch for me! It's because of service like this that they are successful. It's the little things! It's why when I arrived a little late, I made sure I took in biscuits for them to say sorry. It's why when Hayley had spent probably 7 hours meticulously looking after me and my hair, I bought her wine.

As this is the second of my blogs this week, I'll leave you with a bunch of photos of the transformation! So after two bleach baths, a lot of Olaplex and three different coloured dyes...!

... to the finished product! Hayley did the sweetest little cut and just took the ends of my hair, and layered the back to give it some more movement then curled it. There's a permanent dye on the roots, a quasi-permanent dye in the middle and then the very ends are Directions in Flamingo Pink. I came away with the rest of the tub for when I need to brighten the ends, but we're going to be lifting the ends again next year so we can go brighter and get some proper good contrasting streaks through my hair. I'm also now a convert to Wella Elements shampoo and conditioner; they're sulphate and paraben-free, and the texture of my hair is really good and the colour has hardly run or faded at all.

What do you think?! I'm absolutely in love with it! I've not been pink/purple before but it suits my colouring. I'm really pleased! Lipcolour is Lip Lure in Dusk by Illamasqua.

Hangover repairs

Sali Jones — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 09:25:00 +0000

You wake up, you don’t know what time it is, you don’t WANT to know what time it is but you know you’ve got that thing to go to today, and you really don’t want to but you really have to and why, oh why did I have that Sambuca to finish the night... does this sound familiar?! C’mon, let’s not beat about the bush here; holidays are comin’, as are the hangovers. Dirty indulgent hangovers from all the dirty indulgent festive booze...! Here's a photo of me from over 10 years ago after a Christmas party. It is NOT pretty; but it's here to show that I know how awful you can feel (and look, let's be honest!) the morning after the night before when you did all those sambucas...!

To get back to some vague sense of normal, you’re going to need five things. I’m not going to include a shower because let’s face it, sometimes it’s just easier to have a baby wipe wash, bathe in deodorant and dry shampoo your hair into oblivion and style a ponytailed up-do. That is, until you can get home and properly cleanse your body of all the sins you’ve committed.

Before I impart my skincare advice let's start properly, and make sure your face is clean of any make-up from last night; as in the photo above, we forget to take it off sometimes and when we do, it's often half a job. Moisturise too, and apologise to the skin gods. Make a sacrificial promise to exfoliate to remove any dry skin AND do a face mask in the next couple of days, and to take your makeup off as soon as you're able to; you need to give your skin (and liver) some rest. (Read about #treatmenttuesday)

1.) Let’s get some sort of normality back and ASAP; eye cream or cooling eye masks. When you've started using either of these, you'll wonder why you've not done it earlier. The latter of the two are favourites of mine for those REALLY bad days or for special occasions. Keep them in the fridge and slap them on for 15-20 minutes while you find something clean to wear, have a drink of water, brush your teeth and stumble around for a matching pair of shoes. When you’ve taken them off, the skin under your eyes will no longer tell tales on you as they will be plumper, brighter and less sullen. Eye creams take less time to get to work and I think First Aid Beauty is a flippin' brilliant brand. Another high street brand that I have faith in is Soap & Glory's Puffy Eye Attack.

2.) Any remaining traces of tired can be hidden with a touch of concealer. Let’s not go all out for foundation because let’s face it, your skin will feel like it’s been in the tumble dryer after you’ve had a skin full. So let's give it a day off, and do what you can with concealer. NYX's Concealer Jars are fab for this; dab a tiny bit on with your ring finger and pat it around your undereye. Don't try to wipe it around to move the product; tapping is way gentler and effective. If you need a little all over coverage, how's about a BB Cream? The NYX BB cream is really good value for money and good coverage pay off. Winner!

3.) To boost your skin, use a creamy highlighter and/or blusher. Go for something with a natural glow to bring back some warmth to your face and fake that ‘I’m healthy, honest guv’ look that you so want to achieve. I've been known to mix in Soap & Glory's Hocus Pocus Illuminator into the foundation, but a dab on the cheekbones will bring a bit of life back to your face. Both Soap & Glory's Highlight and Sculp sticks and Barry M's Illuminating Strobing Cream have great twist-up strobing sticks which blend effortlessly into your skin.

4.) So let’s open up those peepers. Make sure your eyebrows are all going the same way, and at least look related even if they don't look like sisters. Slick on some mascara, and if your hands aren’t feeling shaky go for some eyeliner. A whizz of coloured eyeliner can help you look more 'presented' than you feel, but if not assess how shaky your hands are if you want to go for winged liner or smoky. My ultimate favourite mascara is Urban Decay's Perversion; it's an absolute staple in my kit bag and personal make-up bag.

5.) Grab a tinted lip balm or gloss (not Vaseline!) to perk up your lips a little and hopefully convince them that you do love them and don’t want them to split because of your boozilicious escapades.

As long as you've got your shoes on the right feet, your buttons are done up the right way, your eyes open (ish) and have brushed your teeth, you can probably make it through the day and at least fake it until you make it back to your front door and then crawl to your bed. My best advice though? No sambuca next time! Let the above photo be a reminder!

Lizzie's wedding day

Sali Jones — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I've known Lizzie for quite a while as I work for the same company as her, and I'd done her make-up a few times for Flashes and Lashes' shoots. She emailed me in September 2014 to ask about wedding availability for August 2015 as she wanted to check if some of her favourite suppliers were available before she booked the venue... how honoured am I?!

She mailed again the month after to say the venue wasn't available in 2015 but it was in 2016, and would I be free then? Just under two years away; of course I'll be free! Back then I didn't have wedding make-up bookings two years in advance, now is another story entirely...!

Since Lizzie booked me for her wedding, she'd changed job roles and moved to work in the same department as me; the same team as me actually, and in a desk next to me! It's been really lovely to help her with wedding planning advice, be it 'take some time to do things for yourself that aren't wedding related' or 'go on a bloody date!'; things that I think often get forgotten about when you're planning a wedding. You forget to try having a relationship, and that everything is focused on one day when actually it's focused on one couple having the best day of their lives. Stressing out in the weeks beforehand isn't going to help so taking some time to just be 'Wayne and Lizzie who're in love with each other' instead of 'Wayne and Lizzie who are getting married' really helped :)

Lizzie's trial was an absolute breeze, and she soon booked in for a 1-2-1 lesson with me too (which are on offer RIGHT NOW until Christmas Eve!) so she could learn how to do her eyeliner flicks with a bit more precision.

I won't bore you with the details of Lizzie's wedding morning; in short, though, I drank a lot of coffee, there was a dedicated make-up studio and hairdressing salon, Lucille's Locks was a styling wizard, there was Bete Noire necklaces for each of the bridesmaids, an AMAZING blue hot rod to get Lizzie from home to Breadsall Priory, Emma from Luna Photography kept everyone laughing and all family members calm and collected and I had to use Moo force to get the zip up Lizzie's dress; was touch and go and her Mum looked a little worried, but I did it! I cried at how beautiful Lizzie was; it all got a bit much after she was in her dress and Lucille had put in her veil but I had to compose myself to apply false lashes!

Here are a few photos from Luna Photography (excellently assisted by Vapour Trail Photography) that I've nabbed.

Lizzie also left me this lovely review on my Facebook page.

"Sali has done my make-up a number of times, for special occasions such as a make-over photoshoot and for my Mum's wedding, and I was never in any doubt that I wanted her on board for my big day. In fact, she was the very first supplier that I booked! Although referring to her as a supplier doesn't seem to do her justice; she has been incredible. I was concerned about how I'd cope on my big day, as I struggle with anxiety, especially in social situations. Sali and I chatted ahead of the day and came up with a plan to keep the morning of the wedding as stress-free as possible. And after such a relaxing and happy start to the day, it only got better and better! She's thoughtful, intuitive and incredibly professional. My make-up stayed on all day (aside from the lipstick that is, because my groom and I just couldn't stop kissing!). If you're planning your wedding then there's really no better choice you can make. She's not just a make-up artist; she's a friend right when you need her."

If you'd like to book me for your wedding, drop me an email here and let me know your date!

Luna Photography

Sali Jones — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I've known Emma for a bleedin' long time now - over 10 years! I met her on the internet (anyone remembers LiveJournal?!) and we met up in 2006 when I moved to Nottingham. Not too long afterwards, I ended up stealing her from Newcastle and she's lived in Nottingham now for probably 8 years. We have a studio together in Hockley and work together as Flashes and Lashes when we're not shooting weddings. Flashes and Lashes have had to take a back burner in the last 12 months but that's no bad thing because we're both doing AMAZING weddings and sometimes we get to work together too - yay!

Anyhoo, I managed to catch up with her recently to ask about how Luna Photography is doing. In order to do this and find a time that we both weren't working, we had to schedule a 'business meeting' - it just so happened that it was in a pub and on a Friday afternoon... ;)

When did you first pick up a camera and think, 'ooh I like this'?

When I was 16, my friend and I were supposed to be revising for our GCSEs and obviously boredom kicked in! I had a black and white film in the camera, dressed my friend up and I just loved the way the images came out. I got my first digital camera for Christmas (all 2MP of it!) and started photographing my friends' bands. I was hooked and wanted to learn more about how to get the best from my images so enrolled in college. The rest, as they say, is history! The music scene when I was in college was incredible and I got the great pleasure to shoot an awful lot of bands up in Newcastle. Doing that gave me the skills to pre-empt THAT moment that needs capturing.

The industry has changed a lot since you started, and certainly since we started working together. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

The growth in digital photography has a lot to answer for, but also a lot to be praised. A few years ago the industry was flooded with weekend warriors who had no idea the depth work that goes into being a professional. On every corner there were photographers with little knowledge, no insurance and no retouching, undercutting those for whom this is their life. Brides on a budget couldn't see the difference until it was too late and weekly horror stories of wedding days ruined by sub-par photographers damaged the industry. Fast forward to now and a huge push from professionals and wedding bloggers alike, the cheap amateurs have died away with the growth of knowledge in brides as to why it's important to choose your photographer carefully.

Could you pick your favourite photographic experience?

Just one? Probably not! But I will say, my day photographing 10 puppies was one of the best days ever!

A wedding you recently did went viral on Twitter and was featured all over the world; Huff Post, Buzzfeed, and the legend that is George Takai shared it! How've things gone with that?

It was amazing! For about two weeks my phone and inbox was going crazy but much like all viral content, it's died down a lot now. I still get people approaching me saying, "oh that was you?!" and telling me how amazing the photos were which is lovely. It was such an incredible thing to experience because not only was I the photographer on that day, but Victoria has been a friend of mine for many years; shooting the wedding of a friend is always emotional, but the reaction after too was incredible. I only ever want beautiful photos for my clients, so having my work highlighted in that way and the bookings and kind emails I've had since have been sensational. Certainly a highlight of my year; both personally and professionally.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from my subjects and my clients, always. I love to let their personality and beauty shine through which makes the images so much more personal to them and therefore something they will treasure forever.

As a photographer, how difficult was it to choose who you wanted to shoot your wedding?

Not difficult at all really! I've worked with Tim (MHL Photography) a lot over the years, my first concern was to have a photographer that we were comfortable with and Tim is also hugely knowledgeable and experienced. I couldn't have got through the day without you and your help on the wedding morning, or knowing the photography was in his hands. I really got the chance to just enjoy it all, which I think is every wedding photographers dream on their wedding day!

What's next for Luna Photography?

I'm in talks with a videographer to work with in order to be able to offer clients video as well as stills, the whole package! I'm hugely excited by this as it's something I've been interested in for so long but never had the time to practice. Aside from that, this year has been my best ever for wedding clients and I've got a set up in my studio in Hockley now which I adore; nothing like a good sort out to make things instantly better! 2017 looks to be busier than 2016, and I'm really looking forward to diving into 2017!

Isn't she lovely? If it wasn't for Emma, I wouldn't have really gotten into make-up so much. She's one of my absolute favourite people in the world, and I think you'd adore her too. You can speak to her about wedding, portrait, commercial or pet photography here.

Thanksgiving

Sali Jones — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 09:35:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is usually a US and Canadian tradition and whatever your feelings on it, I think the main thing that's important these days is that people spend time together and appreciate each other. I'm looking forward to celebrating the holidays this year and I figure now is a nice time to do a little reflecting and thanksgiving myself!

1) I have a roof over my head. I have a lovely little house that I'm starting to settle into a bit more instead of having two rooms with unpacked boxes. I'm going to have an office; a proper space to work from instead of my coffee table or lap on the sofa. I'm thankful I've been on a few holidays this year. I've probably pushed 40 hours + each week this year, and I really struggle to switch off but I work so hard I'm absolutely going to go on holiday whenever I can. I've booked a long weekend in January away already, and five days in July for Niall's birthday. I'm thankful I can drive too! I've had my car a whole 21 days today, and I'm still absolutely in awe that I can just go ANYWHERE and WHENEVER I want to. It's amazing! I feel free, and that freedom is brilliant for my mental health. Which leads me on to...

2) I have my health. Ok, so physical and mental are not where they should be but both are better than they were. Work in progress! Were healthcare not free, I would be a few thousand pounds in debt this year because of blood tests, medication, smear, doctors' appointments etc. Physical health, if I'm honest I'm in tatters but things WILL get better for 2017. I hope that 2017 isn't the year that the NHS is privatised :(

3) I have two wonderful parents, and my sister and her husband. I've some other family too, but they are the most important & will love support me no matter what. Without their love and support this year could've gone very differently. My sister and I might be chalk and cheese, but we'll fight for each other if it called for it. I can call her what I like but someone threaten to hurt a hair on her head, and you best be prepared for fury!

4) I've some flippin' brilliant friends. There's a nuclear group who've all been friends for about 10 years now, and whenever we see each other it's like we've never been apart. I'm really looking forward to spending some time with them all over the holidays <3

5) Niall. He's seriously pretty wonderful; he makes sure I've got a dinner when I come home late from work. He helps around the house when my back gives way. He tells me to go sit down when I've been on my feet all day. He buys me surprise chocolate bars. He'll get up and re-fill my drink when I'm engrossed in work on my laptop and notices I need another drink. He cuddles me when I'm tired, encourages me to look after myself, is the voice of reason and listens to me. He's not my other half, because I've never not been a whole person but he's certainly my best friend. We can both be ourselves without the other but we build each other up, and help each other be the best person we can. I'm so lucky I get to spend every day with him.

What are you thankful for? :)

Make-up Lessons - Christmas offer!

Sali Jones — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 09:35:00 +0000

So I know it’s a bit early to talk about Christmas but the time has come, and I’m feeling festive already! Maybe it’s the Christmas adverts on TV or mince pies in the shops or the fact that Baileys in on offer EVERYWHERE! Either way, I’m feeling jolly and in the festive spirit (okay, maybe that IS the Baileys...!) so from NOW until CHRISTMAS EVE at 11.59pm, my 1-2-1 make-up lessons are going to be reduced from £65.00 to £50.00!

You’ll get a 2-hour make-up lesson with me, going through your make-up bag (the good, the bad and the ugly!) and then guiding you through what you want to learn more about.

Want on-point eyeliner flicks? Cheekbones for days? Brow power? The sultriest smoky eye? Or, maybe just make-up 101 – giving your face an all-over overhaul with tips to refine your application skills and product recommendations. Read more about what to expect from a make-up lesson here.

I’ll keep a note of everything we discuss (skincare advice and products) and you’ll get a detailed email with links to products we’ve discussed for you to refer back to when you need to.

Rediscover confidence of your youth; you are NOT too old to wear make-up, but as we age our faces change and we need to adapt our make-up look for that.

Alternatively, you could purchase a voucher for a younger person who you think needs some gentle guidance in backing away from the orange-faced foundation look, or the spider-legged mascara look.

These vouchers will be valid until 1 May 2017. There will be weekday and weekend appointment times available! Payments made are not refundable. To book a 1-2-1 lesson for a specific date, just email me.

If you just can't wait to get started, here's a make-up tip blog RIGHT HERE!

NB: I'm more than happy to do 1-2-1 tuition lessons and makeovers for transgender and transvestite clients too, and offer both discreet service and friendly advice.

You can read about Amber's make-up lesson review here.

Dry skin and make-up

Sali Jones — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:25:00 +0000

There was once a girl with dry skin who thought she’d never find a foundation to ever make her skin look good. She searched for that wonder product for all her years, and never did her one true foundation come to being. Sad, the felt she’d never get good foundation coverage until she met her fairy make-up godmother who gave her some skincare advice...

1. EXFOLIATE. You hear people banging on about it, but you don’t do it. WHY?! There are lots of exfoliators out there, get one that’s not got microbeads in (they are proper rubbish for the environment) and you’ll be grand. Exfoliate twice a week on your body, once a week on your face. You’ll be buffing (note: ‘buffing’ not ‘scrubbing’) away dead skin and allowing your lovely smooth fresh skin to shine through and look dewy and radiant. Exfoliating improves the texture of your skin but also brightens it and your make-up will apply so much smoother. Something fine and bitty with a salt-like texture. I’ve told people to use table salt in a pinch, and I still use it to exfoliate my legs on occasion (my jeans ALWAYS dye my legs blue) so there’s nothing wrong with maybe a shower cream or moisturiser with salt in my book… which leads to…

2. MOISTURISE! Immediately after washing, so within the first 3 minutes of your bare butt getting out of the shower or bath. The desert has cracks in it because there’s no moisture, right? So stick some moisturise back in your face! Dry skin is practically begging for nourishment, so give it what it needs. There are oil-based moisturisers AND oil-free moisturisers. If your skin is super dry, get an oil-based one. If it’s not, try an oil-free one. If you find that your skin is too oily using the oil-based, ditch it for less oil. And if your skin is still dry using a water-based one, get an oil-based one. It’s that simple! If your applying make-up in a quick pinch, take a look at a serum that will sink into your skin quicker. Superdrug's own brand and no7 do fab ones.

3. FOUNDATION! Waterproof and oil-control foundations can suck the precious moisture out of your skin. There’s no one wonder product so stop buying anything and everything available; it's usually all absolutely useless marketing. Your painting will only look as good as the canvas underneath it and so your skin needs to be hydrated for your make-up to look good; it can only look as hydrated as it is as you can't fake it, so taking the time with your skincare will always improve your final make-up look.

4. CONCEALER. Use it after your foundation. There’s no make-up police that will come after you for using concealer first, but the idea of concealer is that you use it for areas of your face that aren’t even. So your foundation is for making your skin even, and thus it makes sense to apply concealer after, just to the areas that need it, no? Concealer can be really drying too so best to just use a smidge of it, or else that flaky cakey look that we all hate will rear its beastly head.

5. POWDER. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT USE A POWDER PUFF. The powder can cling to your dry skin and make you look scaly which is not the look we’re going for. Instead, get yourself some little oil blotting papers for oily areas. You literally just press them to your face (DO NOT SMOOSH) to absorb and most have the thinnest little layer of translucent powder on them to help you out. The powder will cling to your dry skin and make is SUPER noticeable. Also, powder puffs from compacts; eww! Imagine the bacteria that has been transferred from your face to the puff, and then all that bacteria are using that puff as a sun lounger; then they transfer from your face to the puff, and then from the puff to the compact powder. ARGH! No no no no-no-no. Oil sheets. Much better.

Dry skin and foundation; the love story that you thought was set for doom, but all came good in the end….! To book a 1-2-1 makeup lesson with me, contact me here. You can also purchase a voucher as a gift on this link.

It's not you, it's me

Sali Jones — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 09:25:00 +0000

If you tell me that you don't want to book me for your wedding, I'll be as pleased as if you were telling me you did want me. Now don't think I don't value you as a customer; I'm gonna be a little bit sad that you don't want me, but I won't take it personally! As you've told me straight out, you're clearly my kind of customer. Let me explain...

As a small business holder, when an enquiry comes through to you, you get a bubble of excitement every damn time; every wedding supplier will say the same. Not for business reasons but because someone wants what YOU offer; in my case, you think I'm good enough to be a part of the biggest day of your life and that's the best compliment ever. I'm taken back to being in school and being picked to be on someone's sports team.

Good small business holders value customer service above all else, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible and spend time putting together a detailed quote for you. You'll soon realise if you're not getting the customer service you want; we all do, whether you're wedding planning or not. If you respond to me and take the time out of your day (and believe me, we know it is hectic organising a wedding!) to get back to me to even say "thanks, but no thanks" it's a compliment because it shows you value my time. And for that, I thank you wholeheartedly.

I'll still ask you if there's anything that I could work on, or that would help change your mind; constructive criticism is great. I'll advise you on the importance of using long-lasting make-up, which will look right in all types of lighting both on camera and in person and for it to last through tears, laughs and kissed cheeks.

So please take the time to let us know if we're not the vendor for you; don't worry about it being gentle (we're in big pants now!) but if you can do it courteously with honesty, we'll appreciate it all the more. I wouldn't be in the wedding business if I didn't love it! I'd rather be someone's shot of whiskey than a cup of tea, so I'll wish you all the best for your big day and I'll spread around the good fortune, luck, karma and juju thicker than butter on hot toast :)

Vogue Italia and me

Sali Jones — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 09:25:00 +0000

It was back in January 2015 that Rozalind Williams contacted me about her idea for a shoot. She wanted to shoot portraits of a model with tense hands clutching onto items such as broken teacups, ripped up letters and scrunched up love letters. It was to be softly lit, warm tones with a romantic feel. She'd arranged for Ash Millman to be our model for the day, having fallen in love with her Cupid's bow and hair colour. And honestly, how couldn't you?!

My brief was pinks and oranges but with the flame colour to Ash's hair, we didn't need to add more. We kept eyes matte pink and added slightly darker matte shadows to define her eyes further as the shoot wore on and we played with wardrobe and posing. Here's a selection of final images :)

Rozalind also submitted the image to Vogue Italia which was accepted - how exciting! Here's the image they chose, entitled "Holding Love Too Tight"

As always I'm available for makeovers and 1-2-1 lessons but photoshoots are great for me to flex my creative muscles and let me bust out some great colour palettes ;)

Sutherland and Barnett - Part One

Sali Jones — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:25:00 +0000

You know when you get a phone call that just stuns you and you don’t know what to say? That was me when I had a phone call from Andrew Sutherland, Director and one of the head stylists at Sutherland and Barnett; a hairdressing and colour salon. I’d entered a Facebook competition to celebrate the salon’s 10^th birthday, and I won £1000 of hairdressing!

A little about me: I turned 30 in July. I’ve never had a salon dye my hair. I've always used bleach, box dyes or semi-permanent bright colours. I’ve been varying shades of red/pink/orange/ginger/copper for at least 10 years. I had a short spell where I went back to black to put in black/purple/blue dread extensions; never again, I was so miserable! I get my hair cut every now and then when I can find time with my mate, and more often than not it’s when she sees my hair and then asks to book an appointment with me. I always have the same; cut off the dead ends, and a middle parting. Nothing drastic despite in the past, having had some AWESOME hair. Varying hairstyles and colours as below...!

I popped to the salon to have a consultation where I met Craig, the other co-Director and head stylist and Hannah, a Wella Colour Technician expert. Craig talks through how I want my hairstyling and what needs doing. A mix of the both I think is the sign of a professional; where they listen to what you want but will tell you if there’s something that needs doing too. I basically needed about 2-3 inches off! Hannah discussed what colours I wanted to go for, and the stages we’d need to take to get there; how exciting! I’m going a little darker and richer over the winter with plum/deep brown/red tones to cover up my copper, and then come spring 2017 we’ll be looking at spicing up my hair with some brightness ;)

But for now, we need to cover my greys - argh!

I felt really reassured I was in safe hands. I got the same impression that I like to give off when I’m meeting a client for the first time; this person is friendly, approachable, going to listen to you and wants to deliver for you. I had my skin test for the hair dye and booked in for my afternoon of pampering! An absolute novelty for me because those who know me know how often I say that I don’t pamper myself, which is daft considering I spend a lot of my time making other people look and feel good! I was met with great smiles at reception and asked if I was Sali; personal touch, big tick! Hannah came to collect me and go through my hair colour choices again, and check how I’d got on with the skin test. Slight change to my hair plans but that was all okay, and we discussed my future hair plans and how we’re going to get there…!

“Do you want a drink? Coffee, tea, a glass of wine…?”

I’m sold. A chilled glass of white wine and on went the dye. Hannah explained I’d had Olaplex treatment mixed in the dye, and was pleased when I told her that when I dye my hair I did my roots first and then did the rest of the hair. We chatted about how long she’s worked at the salon and why she’s a colour specialist and not a hairdresser and what’s her favourite colouring to do. She loves doing highlights and balayage! Which is apparently like a posh ombre ;)

Getting the dye out of my hair, Hannah popped the massage chair on for me. She used Kerastase Chroma Captive Shampoo for my colour, Olaplex throughout my colour, after my colour and then a hair mask too. Not sure I've ever felt so relaxed and then she asked if I wanted a head massage!

My cut was booked in with Andrew, who I'd spoken to on the phone. We had a chinwag about my hair history and the crazy things I've done to it; spiral hair was always one of my favourites, as was saying about my Mum cutting the back of my hair to an inch long all over on Boxing Day in the kitchen after a lot of gin and/or Jack Daniel!

So here's my before and after photos; the colour doesn't look ALL that different but it's certainly darker and not so coppery. It's about three inches of dead hair shorter and 300 times healthier - honestly, I can see what the fuss is about now with the Olaplex treatment!

Lilith's wedding make-up

Sali Jones — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Lilith contacted me in very early January this year to book me for her wedding make-up after following me on Instagram for a while. She wanted mega natural make-up, matte shadow and luscious lashes – and so we delivered! We had some emails back and forth about dry skin and irritated peeling lips so I gave her some advice to get her skin in tip-top condition for her wedding day and wedding make-up. She said (and I quote) "Thank you so much for your message and such kind words – I am now about 100000% sure I have picked the right person to do my wedding make up!"

At her trial, we discussed her brows and I recommended that she get them threaded. Having been left alone for a really long time, they weren’t unruly but they were in need of a touch of TLC and their potential was clearly there to be seen!

"Firstly, thank you! I had a lovely time at my trial and felt really comfortable and I felt you listened to everything I said. I felt amazing for the whole day and didn’t want to take it all off at the end!"

As well as getting married, Lilith and Chris were in the throes of buying a house and moving their lives from Warwickshire to Leicestershire. We had her trial and her Mum and sister came along too. It was clear her family are a great bunch, and I looked forward to the wedding morning preparations. Her wedding day rolled around on a beautiful August morning and her family home was buzzing with excitement. It was a gorgeous morning, all happy smiles, lots of laughing. They married at Welbeck Hall in West Bridgford and then moved the party over to Brackenhurst Campus.

I'll leave you with all the photos; the hairstyling is down to the super Rock N Roller Hair and images are by Danny Jack Photography.

My eyebrows and me

Sali Jones — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Common denominators in the below pictures:

a) I like looking over my glasses for photos,
b) I don't smile as much as I used to,
c) My eyeliner has improved massively,
d) I have never had 'real' eyebrows.

So it's undiagnosed but having varying ranges of anxiety and depression over the years, I believe I have very mild trichotillomania. I've pulled hair from my scalp, the nape of my neck/hairline, my thighs, my eyebrows, my eyelashes; I've even pulled out my eyelashes and eyebrows in my sleep. I've joked with many as to how I'm in the right profession to cover them up, and I'm pleased I am! The images above show the timeline of my eyebrows and I'm pleased with their progress :) But this doesn't make up for not having eyebrows. My brows are blocked in with pencil, gel or powder as I've very few actual eyebrow hairs in place to work at making them look more natural.

I've tried to wear mittens at night and sleep masks, used growth serums & tried stimulation techniques - nothing works when you're still repeatedly pulling them out. When I'm on top of my anxiety, my eyelashes sure do look better but my eyebrows are never going to be the same again. I said to myself that before my 30th birthday I'd grow them back but it was well before then that the stark realisation is that I don't really have much control on that!

As such, I've decided to get my brows tattooed (REMOVED INFO ABOUT THE PREVIOUS SALON AS THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE ISN'T WORTH THE PROMOTION HERE) I can't get HD Brows as I've not enough eyebrow there for it to work). I've toyed with the idea of getting them tattooed for a long while but having seen some truly awful ones, I was always apprehensive until I did a bit of research about microblading. I've booked myself in next month to get them done as an early Christmas treat to myself. To say I'm excited is an understatement!

Eyeshadow magic trick

Sali Jones — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:25:00 +0000

On a night out or important occasion, I bet each of you have done this...

Scenario: You’ve moisturised, primed and applied all your foundation and concealer neatly and you step back to admire your perfectly even face. I look good! Then that dread...you remember the horror that comes when you come to apply eyeshadow that will now fall on your now perfectly even skin!

But that feeling of dread doesn't have to materialise! Ms Moo is here to tell you how to get around it. Two tools; loose powder and a fan brush.

You can pretty much use any loose powder for this but stick to something that’s translucent though. I personally use Illamasqua but NYX, Sleek, Ben Nye and Collection 2000 all have great ones with a range of price points. Using your fan brush, pick up a little loose powder and dust it under your eyes. Put it all up and down the bridge of your nose, down onto the tops of your cheek and up the side of your cheekbone. I have to explain to all my clients when I do this that I'm going to make them look like Adam Ant - but not to worry; it's temporary!

Apply your eyeshadow as normal and when you're happy that you're done, use the fan brush to wipe away the loose powder. After each swipe away of the dust, tap off the brush so as to get a clear swipe at the next lot of fallout.

Et voila! I teach a whole bunch of things in my 1-2-1 lessons and can do basic make-up 101 to something more tailored to your needs. Contact me here to book a lesson or read more on my website.

MAC and me

Sali Jones — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:50:00 +0000

"Do you use MAC make-up?"

It’s a question I get asked a lot as to what make-up brands I keep in my kit. When a potential client enquires, I go through a few names (the big brands and the smaller ones) but there’s noticeably one missing which would often be in other make-up artists’ kits. As I then say that I don't use their products before I've had a chance to explain I feel it sometimes goes against me as I then have to justify why I don’t.

In short, I personally feel the quality and ethics of other brands are better. In my 1-2-1 make-up lessons, I'll share products covering a range of price points but my high-end 'go-to' is often Illamasqua. I just feel the quality of Illamasqua products is just better; their packaging is exquisite, the longevity and wear-ability of their products, their pricing is competitive, their ethos ('make-up for your alter ego') and their ethics are second to none. Their support for the S.O.P.H.I.E foundation has been incredible, and more recently their campaign called 'Beauty not Brutality' for cruelty-free products, having recently been accredited by PETA. This quote says more than I can:

"Our respect and compassion for others is what defines Illamasqua’s core brand values. We continually challenge the status quo and speak on matters that affect our human fundamentals, while always celebrating the diversity in beauty."

Consistently producing great products, I'm yet *touch wood* to be disappointed by anything from them in my kit. I have favourites which I'm quite likely to never ever stray from. Have you tried their Radiance Veil or Gel Sculpt in Silhouette?! They produce something for everyone and each of their collections is 100% unique. I'm yet to see anything rehashed and sold again. With creative ties such as make-up artist Alex Box, Vivienne Westwood and Agent Provocateur their products work AND are beautiful.

What I've tried from MAC has always just been 'okay'. Some of their eyeshadows are fabulously pigmented, their brushes can be of good quality and their Russian Red/Ruby Woo red lipsticks are a burlesque staple for pin-up starlets. Yet, their brushes aren't synthetic (natural means 'from an animal' i.e. goat and pony can be used by MAC, but other companies still use squirrel or mink), and as they now sell in China they are required by law to test on animals to sell there. They say they don't do it themselves, as they have no testing facility but they've committed to selling in China so have to abide by their laws.

Having had occasions of substandard customer service experiences in a few stores of theirs (in my younger make-up artist days) I made an unconscious decision to not venture in again. I was put off by how I felt in the store and how I was treated; I had a product being pushed upon me to be tested that I hadn't asked about and wanted a red eyeshadow; I wasn't asked why I was told it wouldn't suit me and that I should look at something more neutral. Didn't ask for the advice and didn't get asked what I wanted it for! NB: I know MUAs in MAC stores who are AWESOME people so this is no reflection on all employees, just my experience.

I think MAC has a hold on a large portion of the make-up market and a lot of people assume that they are the best out there. They are arguably the most well-known make-up brand out there that’s not in drugstores but are usually readily available on many high streets or at department store concession stands. I think a lot of people buy from them for the name as they'll see a store or advert and feel it’s a quality brand as it’s well known and is endorsed by a range of celebrities (Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga etc.) and talked about by celebrity make-up artists. A lot of the younger generation too (I’m talking Instagram using beauty product obsessed 14-20-year-olds) I believe buy the brand to keep up with their friends and seem 'cool' and 'hip'. NB: never have I felt less cool or hip than typing that sentence...!

I'm not a vegan or vegetarian, but I really don't see why animals should be tested on for humans to look and feel better about themselves. In my old age, I'm trying to be more ethical and make more sensible decisions and whilst I may still eat meat, I purchase from high-welfare stores and make ethical choices about where my food is coming from.

I feel I've rambled a touch here but overall, I think my message is that you need to find what works for you; don’t obsessively follow one brand for whatever reason or whoever is endorsing it. What factors draw you into buying a certain brand? Let me know below!

Here are some of my favourite cruelty-free brands: Sugarpill Cosmetics: NYX Cosmetics: Urban Decay: ELF Cosmetics: ZOEVA.

Edit: Have made edits after speaking with a MAC make-up artist (remaining anonymous) who's said they'll message me with more information as to what MAC is doing in regards to animal testing. They also clarified what animal hair is used in a 'natural' brush. I look forward to hearing from them :)

Laura's spring wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Laura contacted me in December 2015 about her July 2016 wedding, which was lucky as it was my last available date in July 2016! She was really keen to get a trial booked in so that she could cross me off her to-do list, so she came to me in February 2016. It was also neatly timed on her 30th birthday so she was truly pampered before having an evening our with her hubby to be. We changed up her lipstick though. Can you believe this woman has always been self-conscious of her lips? Her lip shape is absolutely MADE for lipstick to be applied!

She was having a rather early wedding and needed to set off early to get to Papplewick Pumping station from Hayeswood Lodge. When I told her we'd be looking at a 6am start, she was 100% fine with that and booked me in breakfast too - what a love! Her bridesmaids and Mum were absolutely fab too, a really lovely wedding morning to work on when everyone is laughing, having fun and cracking jokes :) Here are a few more photos of her day by Sarita White Photography. Hair by Deb Collighan.

Here's what Laura said about working with me:

"I cannot thank Sali enough for doing my wedding make-up! She did trials for myself and my mum which were fabulous, with her listening to what we wanted but guiding us where needed! On the day she did me, my mum and 3 bridesmaids, despite a ridiculously early start! She was calm and a pleasure to have around on the morning of my wedding. I've never felt so pretty and everyone looked beautiful once she had worked her magic! The make-up lasted all day but didn't feel at all heavy. She's an absolute love and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone xxx"

If you'd like to book me for your wedding, drop me an email through here and let me know your date. I still have dates available in 2016 and weddings for 2017 are still being taken at 2016 prices... but not for long!

Choosing your wedding makeup artist

Sali Jones — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Weddings are a big experience as well as a big expense; you’re in a place you probably won't know that well, wearing a dress and some crazy supportive/restrictive underwear! You probably won’t see your partner until you’re at the aisle, your family may cry, you’ll worry about the flowers/catering/table decorations. Being the centre of attention, everyone is watching you while you’re dancing, eating, crying and speaking. It’s one hell of an experience and can be a stressful one at that!

You most likely hire professionals and put your trust in them to remove some of the stress from you; hiring the right ones should give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your day with minimal stress. Photographer, cake maker, make-up artist, florist, caterer, hairstylist, entertainment etc. Your whole wedding day will forever be remembered through your photographs and, taking a guess, I’d say going to be in about 75% of them. Your make-up artist should give you the confidence and assurance that you will look and feel beautiful on the day of your wedding, and in the lasting memories of the event so be sure to hire someone who specializes in making people look AND feel good.

You’ll find a range of make-up artists with a range of prices in your area; a quick internet search will give you more information, but there’s also a range of wedding sites that’ll list suppliers for lots of different bridal businesses. If your make-up artist sports SUPER cheap prices for on-location wedding make-up, keep looking. They are most likely lacking experience. Be sure you check their portfolio and for client (especially bridal) testimonials; a good reputation WITH experience is important.

Here are a few reasons why;

- Personality
When you communicate with a wedding supplier, you should feel able to speak to them about your ideas of concerns; there’s no such thing as a stupid question! You’ll want a timely response on your emails and phone calls, and they should be willing to work in your comfort zone but advise you on your best look too. You’ll also want to see what they are like as a person; for example with a hairstylist or make-up artist, are they someone you feel happy in having around on the morning of your wedding? Do they make you feel calm, confident and comfortable?

- Trial
Your chosen make-up artist will likely insist on a trial so that they can give you some skincare tips in advance of the big day, and give you recommendations of colours and styles that may suit you. This can only really be done in person. They’ll ask to see some photos of your dress, colour schemes, or how you plan to have your hair and the colour of your accessories and shoes; it’s so that we can imagine the total look you’re going for on your wedding day. And because we LOVE weddings ;) Your wedding supplier may want a meeting with you too, no matter their business; especially if they have got a physical part in your day. Florist, photographer, videographer, cake maker. If anyone wants to 'wing it' or says 'it'll be alright on the day', be wary.

- Stress-free
Make-up artists are used to busy and stressful mornings; they are used to how busy and frantic things can get, they are prepared for unexpected happenings and they won’t let it be your face. There’s no need for anyone to be worrying about eyeliner, or glueing your eye shut with false lashes with a pro-make-up artist around. Your make-up artist will expect the unexpected and be prepared; if they don’t offer this sort of vibe, keep looking for your perfect make-up artist.

Remember that a wedding supplier can be working on a lot of weddings all at once, and there may be other weddings before yours so give them a little time to reply. I try to reply to customers within about 3 days, but if you've not heard anything after a week send a gentle reminder email.

- Knowledge
You want your wedding suppliers to be experts in their field. Your make-up artist needs to be experienced in colour matching for your skin tone, the type of foundation you need, how to accentuate your best features, play down others and flatter your bone structure. They’ll have studied it in great detail and have experience in getting the best out of any face for the big day; blending is key to making you look flawless and setting your make-up so it stays that way all day. If you're not keen on something they've done, tell them why and ask if it could be done differently. Your wedding supplier wants you to be happy, believe me!

- Products
You won’t believe how much money a make-up artist will spend on their kit. Products have a certain life expectancy and have to be replaced regularly. They’ll use high-quality products that are tried and tested; their products and their application is tailor-made for longevity and the clients’ specific needs. Make-up for a night out or photoshoot is completely different; for a wedding day, there’ll be natural light, flash photography, possible tears, sweat, kisses. Every time you hug someone you do not want your foundation to transfer onto the other person. You want to make sure that even if you cry, your eyeliner stays on point. Your lipstick needs minimal fuss and reapplication. All of these variations, a professional will know how to handle.

I want you to feel comfortable and safe with me, as you're putting a lot of trust in me. If you want to book in a trial with me for your wedding day, contact me here and if you've any questions just fire away.

Retouching

Sali Jones — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I shared this Beyonce retouch photo on my Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I've felt this blog post brewing for a little while, so decided to get my thoughts out after having spoken about it with other industry professionals.

I'm talking about Photoshop and retouching of images. I don't think the unretouched photo is that great (make-up wise) but my feeling around these images is that the make-up artist responsible probably didn't have much time to get things right so she shouldn't be bad mouthed. Beyonce is likely to have a team around her for every makeup and skincare need she has but we forget that whilst she does have this life of privilege, she's a working mother, with ridiculous hours, tour schedules, rehearsals, travelling etc. Let's cut her some slack for having skin like EVERYONE ELSE because she's busting her butt with work and family. Reality check; it's what real-life skin looks like!

I know I'm not the only makeup artist who's been given a heavily retouched photo, or a board of images on Pinterest and asked if that level of flawless is achievable. It makes my heart sink.

Wrinkles aren't going to go away without a professional procedure. My kit doesn't include polyfiller, and no one else's will. Dry patches of skin will need exfoliating and regularly. Most people will have 'unsightly' hairs growing out of their face. You really do need to cleanse your face in the morning and at night, AND moisturise twice a day; you might not wear any make-up day today but this is skincare. To me, it's as important as brushing your teeth twice a day.

I wanted to share some unretouched images of my work by Luna Photography. We've worked together extensively but she's a big part of why I started doing make-up at all back in 2008 ish. Here's a couple of weddings we've done and a close up from a photoshoot showing the difference in a retouched image.

I've been taught well in that photographers would rather you get it right in camera. If time allows, take that time to get it right; you'll be happier with your work, your client will be happier as will your photographer! Equally, your face is bloody gorgeous. Love the skin you're in. Take care of it and it'll love you back for a long time! Also, don't throw other people under the bus for being a human being and not being flawless as it's unobtainable; but in the words of Bruno Mars, you're perfect just the way you are.

Hayley's wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Hayley and Lisa got married a year ago today! Congratulations my lovelies! I've not blogged about it yet but it's up their for one of my most memorable weddings ever.

Lisa asked Hayley to marry her under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. On hearing that, I knew I already loved them. They were the first same-sex wedding I’ve ever done. Actually, they are the only one I’ve ever done – SO FAR! Lisa is a local bird from Derbyshire and her darling Hayley hails from Australia, but both of them lived and worked in London. In the last 12 months though they've relocated up to Glasgow and are taking Scotland by the horns.

Hayley came to me for a trial and we got on like we'd known each other years. She knew she wanted red lipstick and without absolutely any prompting from me, she chose the perfect red in name and colour; matte & cherry red Maneater by Illamasqua, which she coined 'The ultimate in Lesbian Lip Colour Fashion.' We settled on soft gold for eyeshadow, slightly winged eyeliner and false eyelashes were a must.

They were getting ready at separate locations but Hayley (who was ‘my’ bride) was getting ready for her nuptials at their venue Hayeswood Lodge. Having never been to Hayeswood Lodge before (located just outside of Ilkeston), I now know why she wanted to stay there; it’s gorgeous! It’s maybe no more than 10 minutes walk from the main road but it’s so quiet and so beautiful. Lovely little individual rooms, amazingly styled with incredibly lovely hosts and a flippin’ amazing breakfast. They aren't a wedding venue though but Hayley and Lisa had managed to twist Dan and Katie’s arm into letting them use a field at the lodge for their day and they set up an amazing tipi from Sami’s Tipi's.

Hayley's gorgeous bridesmaids were also to get the Ms Moo treatment, and she'd also enlisted Lucille’s Locks for her bridal party so I absolutely knew it was going to be a good’un. Coupled with then knowing that the fabulous Camera Hannah was shooting the nuptials, I was made up! What a team. With Hayley's parents not being able to travel over from Australia, Facetime was used throughout to keep them informed of all goings-on.

Here's what Hayley said about working with me:

"What can I say, not only did Sali conjure up the most stunning face I could ever have hoped to present to the world (and especially to my beautiful wife-to-be) working with her was such an awesome part of my Big Day. Jokes, endless laughs and lots of congratulatory hugs - it was as if Sali had been a girlfriend for years. My four bridesmaids and I were so grateful and I simply can't recommend her work enough to any brides who want to feel as great as they look for their special day. Can I give 6 stars?!"

If you'd like to book me for your wedding, drop me an email through here and let me know your date. I've got books open for 2017 and 2018 and a few days left for 2016. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Dream Team and GG's

Sali Jones — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 09:25:00 +0000

The dream team consists of Lucille’s Locks, Luna Photography, BooBoo Kitty Couture and I; a group of four Nottinghamshire based babes, who’re all in the wedding industry and absolutely freakin’ adore weddings. We’re all hardworking, creative, slightly vintage-inspired and 100% passionate about making brides feel the very best they can on their big day, and beyond. The dream team have done a couple of bridal shoots together so we can try out new things and showcase our work. We tend to make them an annual thing these days if not more; our specialities mean we get to work together a lot on weddings, but rarely see each other when we’re not working!

I'm mega pleased with these shots from our most recent collaboration, also working with GG's Pin-Up Couture. Aren't they incredible? Lucille and Aislinn modelled for us and did a sterling job, and we were all pouring over the headbands before we starting shooting. If you’re getting married or have an event coming up, get in touch with them for bespoke creations too. We love you, GG!

I kept the make-up for Lucille clean and classic; small cat eyeliner flick, with matte pink and soft eye shadow coupled with the most popular lipstick of 2016 with my bridal clients, Illamasqua's Glamoure lipstick in “Minx”. Wearing my favourite Ardell Demi Wispie lashes too to frame her gorgeous eyes, she’s an absolute stunner, right?

Aislinn was a little more boho styled but we kept her eyes quite a dark grey and used a lighter pink lipstick, ‘Corrupt’ by Illamasqua. The cool colour of her eyes is captivating and the grey of her eye shadow accentuated their colour.

I'll leave you with two finished images now as there'll be more to show later when I interview Aislinn from BooBooKitty Couture about her dresses and new studio. Keep your eyes peeled for that blog!

Skincare for the summer

Sali Jones — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:25:00 +0000

So how is everyone's skin holding up this summer? Between dodging rain showers and the baking heat, I think I’ve just sweat a lot!
The sun might be sporadic but we need to be prepared for it. Following on from my other summer skincare post, as today is the first day of August let's make the effort to look after our skin. Here are some super easy things you can start doing every day!

- Get a round in. Your body is made up of about 55% of water so you definitely need to keep hydrated so your organs keep working, and you’re replacing what you lose in sweat. Drink water, sugar-free squash - something that's actually going to hydrate you. Tea, coffee, cola etc has caffeine in which is a diuretic. A small amount won't dehydrate you big time but swapping out a coffee for water will have benefits in double figures. Perhaps drink a glass of water while you're waiting for the kettle to boil? Or maybe set an alarm on your phone about 60-90 minutes apart :)

- Brush up. Clean your make-up brushes; this IS SO important. Applying makeup every day in the summer, it’s likely your skin is not in the best condition it could be; sweaty, oily etc. For brushes, you can use Fairy Liquid, baby shampoo, Head & Shoulders shampoo; something fairly mild basically. Just make a lather through the brushes and rinse with lukewarm water NOT hot water. Hot can melt the glue holding the bristles in place. You can get brush cleansers online or on the high street too!

- Give your skin the love it deserves! You don’t need to go OTT and have a 30-minute skincare routine day in and out; I’m a realist, sometimes even 5 minutes is pushing it! Just make sure you cleanse your face twice a day and apply moisturiser twice a day; before applying make-up and before going to bed too. If you can exfoliate once a week too, that's freakin' AWESOME as it'll clear away dead, and dry skin. Having clear skin can help boost your mood; confidence a-go-go! When you’re sweating, your body is releasing all the yucky toxins from your body that it doesn’t need. There’s also the excess sebum on your skin being mixed in with that sweat which is a bacteria breeding ground; you can imagine them all lying on their sun loungers and bathing in the stickiness of it all! (you're welcome for that image) Talking of sun loungers, when you’re putting your make-up on in the morning make sure you’re using a moisturiser with an SPF to protect your skin. I wrote a blog about SPF moisturisers here.

- Your partner too! There’s also NOTHING to stop those guys in your life not using a moisturiser; No7 and Nivea do some great ones for men, which I’ve even persuaded my man to use. Ok, we're not on everyday usage yet, but certainly on occasions when he’s outside for a lot of the day. Still, a long way to go to get him to use it all the time, but we've got to start somewhere!

Let me know what you’re using! What's your top tip for making sure you look after your skin? Let me know if you’ve any questions. And before you type up your mail to me, get yourself a glass of water; your body will thank you for it!

Treatment Tuesday with Nickie Devolution

Sali Jones — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I've known Nickie through the alt online scene for a fair few years now (Facebook says 5 years, but I reckon longer with the age of Myspace!) she is the owner and founder of Devolution Magazine and The Alt Collective, a fashion and art charity event that started in 2009. She's a one-woman machine with a dedicated contributing team working on the only alternative independent print magazine out there covering fashion, music, art, tattoos, lifestyle culture and photography; Devolution recently released Issue 40 of the magazine signifying 10 years of actual print! A decade of independent publishing is an incredible feat.

In the last couple of years, Nickie's been on an epic transformation both physically and mentally. I noticed something she was posting about regularly via her personal Facebook page that she called ‘Treatment Tuesday’ so I asked her more about it and got nosy about her tattooed eyeliner...

You've been running Devolution since your mid-20s and just recently you turned 35 – I don’t believe it at all though! What’s your skincare like these days?

I’m not going to lie – I have never been ‘that’ girl that had a daily cleansing treatment or moisturising routine. To this day I still get ID’d for most things so I guess I am lucky that I have my baby face still and often get mistaken for someone in their early or mid-twenties – maybe the copious amounts of gin kept me preserved? Haha! That said, my sister in law recently introduced me to a range of products by a brand called Nu Skin which is simply divine! I never really bought into the ‘spend a fortune and feel younger/healthier/fresher’ but these products are incredibly good and I am now regularly using marine mud masks, facial scrub and moisturising mist as part of a self-maintenance routine.

Over time, you've collected yourself a vast array of tattoos but I remember you saying you've had your eyeliner tattooed on. Wow! How did that go? Who did you go to?

Having my eyeliner tattooed on was the best decision of my life! It was done by Felicity Denham who owns Hook and Eye: a tattoo and piercing studio in Witney, Oxfordshire. She's an absolute goddess - her skillset, her customer care and ability when it comes to cosmetics, piercing, scarification and so much more is just incredible. I’m due a retouch on my eyes this year – I went for super cute Latino flicks but we didn’t go too dark and heavy at first to be on the safe side but having comfortably had them done for just over a year now I am ready to go back and get the lines done a little thicker both on the eyelids and underneath for an even more dramatic look. The procedure did not hurt as much as you think it might have! Having them tattooed on was also especially helpful at festivals; whether it’s too hot or raining – perfect liner throughout!

What's your favourite make-up product? Is there anything you couldn't live without? (Obviously discounting eyeliner as it's always on your face now that it's tattooed!)

Haha, that’s true! Anyone that knows me knows that I am a 35-year-old woman who still puts on her makeup like war paint from the 1995 riot girl days; I don’t think that will ever leave me! I’m no makeup artist – I envy anyone who can contour or generate smoky eyes but it’s my comfort zone and I am known as the girl with the almond-shaped eyes which are always caked in her favourite black Rimmel pencil! If they happen to look about the same that’s great – anyway, who cares?! I couldn’t live without eyeliner; for the regular everyday liner, I love Rimmel pencils. My sister in law has had me testing (and absolutely LOVING!) the Nu Skin range, and I adore their mascara too. Another personal favourite of mine is the entire Eye of Horus range; Egyptian style packaging, beautifully produced items, in vibrant colours and in metallic too – their eyeliner is waterproof and after one coat, that jet black isn’t shifting for at least 24 hours or until you use industrial style cleansing scrub it off. I believe you pay for what you get these days and I recommend these brands to anyone!

You've been on one hell of an amazing transformation with your health in the last few years. In brief, tell us what you've been up to.

Since 2011 I have physically lost 5 stone which has allowed room for confidence to grow rapidly, and to gain a feeling of self-worth which was severely lacking for years. I’m a very lucky lady who now gets some incredible compliments every single day via social media and in-person by readers, supporters, friends and family. I am encouraged, applauded, motivated by these kind souls who seem to take it upon their wonderful selves to make sure I’m on track, keep challenged, kept sane and kept smiling! I hate talking about myself and if I’m honest I didn’t see the transformation immediately. It’s only when you really look at the past (digging out old photos or having them come up in Timehop) you notice. I have physically and mentally changed though; it’s mostly commonly my attitude and self-esteem that have seen the biggest changes.

I have changed my lifestyle and certain habits; a healthy eating group was the gateway for this as well as then taking up circuit training classes (aided by the support of my boss!) and more recently, Clubbercise! Each class is around 4000-5000 steps and my god you sweat it out! The 90’s schoolgirl in me enjoys being able to dance and workout, aerobics style in a dark room with glow sticks and just lose yourself. Anything goes and if the Prodigy or House of Pain comes on, you can bet your ass I am there busting out my best moves and dancing like no one is watching! It’s truly liberating – go find a class near you!

You've been doing your Treatment Tuesday for a while now as a way to dedicate time to yourself, as you're so busy with Devolution, Alt Collective events AND have a full-time job at an independent publishing house. What brought that about, and what do you do?

Treatment Tuesday is an idea that was forged by me for me. Last year I took on an intense 10-month therapy treatment. I had issues that hadn’t been resolved and had created a negative hole in my headspace that prevented me from finding ‘my happy’ for want of a better phrase. It was a very private and personal journey, so I didn’t blog or publish anything about them nor did I talk about them with friends or family members. It was probably the most honest important, intense and freeing thing I have ever done and once it was over, I found myself at a bit of a loss. The therapy had happened every Tuesday. I would leave work at 3pm, get on a bus to Oxford with only a book and headphones. At the time, I would turn off social media so that I wasn’t tempted to work; the time was just me, music, literature and some calm. Once in Oxford, I would stroll through the beautiful city, sometimes killing time if I was early by visiting a local café or park; these were major steps for me to help combat and overcome my crippling anxiety. My ‘Devolution’ persona is loud and confident, and passionate and bubbly; reality is I’m actually a very shy, anxious and an easily embarrassed person. People don’t often know or realise this about me.

So I started to miss that time on a Tuesday afternoon between 3pm and 8pm that was just mine; I had grown accustomed to it each week and felt the benefits, so it presented a problem when the therapy ended. I truly did miss that small space of time that I dedicated to myself; it had become a crutch and realised how much I actually needed it. So every Tuesday now it’s a time that I will usually come away from social media and emails. It’s the bath night where I use all the beauty products I own, or pick up a book and get snuggled up to read it, or watch a film and immerse myself in it whilst enjoying specifically picked tasty treats. My friends and family know it’s a time not to disturb me unless it’s really important; it’s my time to just go ‘screw you, world!’ I’m going to Netflix and chill and not feel guilty about it!

It’s really difficult to make sure that I dedicate that timeframe to myself. Do you have any idea how hard it is to switch off? (Moo: Oh yes, yes I do!) It’s really tough! But I try and do it as often as I can. I know that I have inspired a few people to do the same who also work a crazy number of hours a week and they have found it as rewarding as I do. Such a small amount of time to set aside but so very significant; that is what I have learned! I encourage you all to join me in #treatmenttuesday on Facebook or Instagram and tell me how you get on!

So for those who’re now looking to embark on making Treatment Tuesday a weekly event in the diary, what are your tips?

I’ve been a little slack recently about sticking to it, but I really feel the benefits of doing it and certainly feel so much more stressed and anxious when I don’t! I’m back on track now so my tips are entirely easy to follow; the first is the plan for it! If you wing it, you’ll likely tell yourself you’ll do it tomorrow. Choose what you want to do and decide how you want to spend those few hours in advance; get the food in, set aside the book and comfy pyjamas or treat yourself to new bath time products. Get it ready to go and generally set it up as if you were planning a date night with yourself!

The second tip is don’t for one second feel like your letting anyone down, or that you’re being selfish or unapproachable. Don’t make excuses as to why you can’t or shouldn’t do it. Quite frankly if everyone opted in for this for just a few hours a week, we would all find some sort of calm within; these few hours are vital for downtime and to recharge, your body needs sleep to rest and your mind needs a time out too. Our lives are so busy; so dominated by computers, phone and tablet screens; we’re a nation of rushing and impatient people and sometimes we need to just slow it all down and take stock of your physical and mental health.

Thank you so much Nickie! I’m planning my Tuesday night already; I’ve got gorgeous smellies from Christmas still so I’m gonna have a bath, do my toenails, do a foot scrub and intensive moisturiser (with the little socks!) and drink some prosecco with a film. Start planning your Treatment Tuesday now and dedicate that time solely to you – you absolutely categorically deserve it!

(Nickie at the end of her email to me said this and it made me aww big time: “Thank you Sali for the questions and for giving me my own interview – writing this all down and reading it back aloud has only made me realise how far I have come and how vital my journey ahead still is so thank you for that.” You’re welcome beauty!)

Self Care to do list

Sali Jones — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I recently wrote up this list for BODY, the Body Dysmorphia (BDD) charity I volunteer for. Lauren the CEO asked me to write a quick list of things that are cheap/easy to do that will help you feel better about you. So if you have 5 minutes for self-care or 50 minutes, there's something in here for you.

There are some really simple ways to try bolster yourself when you're stuck in a bit of a slump. And we all need a pick me up at times, so here's a quick list of my favourites! How's about you try a couple each week; do you think you could maybe do one a day?

1. Exfoliate ALL over.
2. Moisturise ALL over - couple this with the above and your skin will be singing!
3. Have the deepest bubble bath you can. Soak. Unwind. If you don't have a bath, ask a mate! Believe me, I'm sure they'd be fine with it; I've had friends come to use my bath :)
4. Visit an animal sanctuary/rescue. Walking a dog or cuddling cats is great stress relief.
5. Try some Youtube yoga or Pilate's. Stretching is so good for you! It's not high impact but will make you think about your body and breathing.
6. Treat your hands and feet; wash, exfoliate, moisturise and paint your nails.
7. Buy yourself some flowers. You can get beautiful little roses/tulips for about £3.00 in most supermarkets, so we're not talking £20.00+.
8. Make yourself a luxurious hot chocolate.
9. Dance! Stick on something with high energy and just boogie around your bedroom
10. Give out a compliment. Making someone else feel good can benefit you too!
11. Wear something colourful.
12. Clear out your room; de-clutter and donate pieces you don't need to a charity.
13. Orgasm. They are super for the old happy hormones, so go LOVE yourself!
14. Get some sunshine. Ten minutes in a garden, a field, a park, on your front step! Whatever and wherever, if it's sunny just sit out in it for a little bit. Take a drink with you.
15. Keep hydrated! Put a reminder in your phone to have a glass of water every hour while you're awake.
16. Try cook/bake something new.
17. Cook your favourite dinner!
18. Invite a friend round for a cinema night. Sit in the dark and eat popcorn!
19. Go to department stores and get samples of new fragrances, skincare and make-up. Easy and free way to rejuvenate your make-up bag!
20. Light candles and turn out artificial light. If you're into reading get a book and nestle in but if you're not, maybe get a podcast or audiobook.
21. Watch a comedy show. Netflix and iPlayer have oodles of them; person favourites are 8 Out of 10 Cats and Live at the Apollo :)
22. Cuddle! It takes about 7 seconds for the happy hormones to be released from a hug, so hold on tight.
23. Get an early night. A warm shower, fresh sheets and lights out early.
24. Do something nice for someone else.
25. Cleaning/gardening; productive too!
26. Drawing or colouring in. It's big at the moment and there are loads of adult books for it. Don't beat yourself up if you can't draw though; even tracing an image can be therapeutic.
27. Good coffee. I asked a lot of my friends about this and a lot said getting a 'posh coffee' from somewhere made them feel super.
28. Steam room; check out a local gym or leisure centre (top tip: spa packages are super cheap on voucher sites) and sit in a steam room for 20 minutes. Alternatively, get your head over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head; it'll help you breathe better and open up all your pores.
29. Meditation. There are a plethora of great podcasts or youtube guided meditations out there. Try one and give yourself 15 minutes to just be calm.
30. (and obviously!) Put on make-up; getting yourself ready for a day can be really therapeutic. War paint on and ready to go!

Let us know how you get on, or what your favourite things are to do FOR YOU.

Favourite make-up brush

Sali Jones — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Man, I have so many brushes. I bought a few single ones when I started getting into makeup then my lovely friends bought me a whole roll of makeup brushes and I didn’t know what many of them did; so many new and exciting things, I was gobsmacked! I now have two brush 'kits' (my personal one and my professional one), and I’ve changed many around when I’ve found better quality ones. That said, I don't spend loads on my brushes; there are a few specialist brushes that I've splurged on and some have been fabulous, some have been atrocious but it's one of my mid-range brushes that's my favourite make-up brush.

It's the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. Here's a comparison photo I found from makeupbyjoyce.com that shows two MAC brushes and a Sigma one which is all between £20.00-£35.00 each. EACH!

It’s designed to have duel fibre bristles, allowing the layers to pick up the product and then give you perfectly even coverage. You can buff a liquid or cream foundation into your skin with a beautiful, flawless finish. No streaky brush marks, no mess and an HD coverage.

Here's a quick before and after of my face from my iPhone; no editing at all, as you can see from my hormonal breakout! In the before photo, I've cleansed and applied Barry M's Flawless Original Primer. In the after photo, I've used my RT Stipple Brush and Make-Up Forever HD Foundation. My skin still looks like skin! Freckles are slightly more prominent too due to holiday :)

I tend to slap foundation on with a normal flat foundation brush all around my face but never use it to blend or buff; literally slap the product across my skin! Stripes across the forehead, sweep round the sides and cheeks of my face, right down the nose, under it and across my chin. Then get the stipple and BUFF! Lots of swirly motions which will feel lovely and relaxing, and won’t tickle you. Make sure you get around and under your jawline too and buffing product into and down your neck so that you don’t get a stripe down the side of your face. I use it to blend highlighter, blusher and bronzer too; it really is my absolute favourite brush!

Wedding make-up review

Sali Jones — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Morning lovelies! I'm currently on holiday in Malta so I'm not around right now so here's a review from one of my lovely brides in 2014/2015. I don't know who it was as it was an anonymous review from a bride who voted me to win Best Make-Up Artist in the East Midlands at the Wedding Industry Awards!

I'll be back next Monday (and will have turned 30!) so keep peepers open for news of a birthday offer...! Until then, here's that lovely bride's review of booking me for her wedding make-up.

“After seeing how professional and personal my friend’s wedding makeup had looked, I knew I had to at least have a trial with Sali. I don't tend to venture away from what I know when it comes to makeup, so the thought of having everyone’s eyes on me for an entire day at my wedding was quite daunting. Sali put me at ease as soon as I met her.

Her 'office' space was light, welcoming, professional and comfortable to be in. Her manner is friendly, polite, courteous and kind. I was worried about my skin as I have never found products that I am happy with, and rather than just cover my skin in products and take my money at the end of the session, she explained to me why she was using the products she was using, what effect they would have on my skin, what might be suitable and why, and really educated me on what I could use going forward - so not only was it a perfect trial, I was now armed with all the information I needed to go into a shop and arm myself with the best available products for my skin.

This individual touch was something I had not previously experienced. I had booked a trial with another make-up artist previously and had left feeling awful. The look was wrong, the feel was wrong, the actual time spent with the make-up artist was uncomfortable and uneasy and I seriously considered just doing my own makeup if that's what it was like to have a make-up artist do it.

Sali was a few minutes early on my wedding day, which was great as it gave us more time to work on my face! She was very well presented and had such a calming aura. She made me feel at ease and comfortable from the minute we sat down to do my makeup. That in itself is a huge skill, as wedding days are ridiculously stressful/hectic/none stop - and I was able to melt away for an hour in her presence, which was more than welcome. I would recommend Sali to anyone - whatever the occasion. I feel it is important to be comfortable with a person who is playing a big part in your wedding day, especially when it comes to the way you look. Every bride wants to be made to feel a million dollars, and that's exactly how I felt on my wedding day.”

- Another lovely review from an amazing client! Click the reviews tab on my page to read them all, and get in touch for availability and rates for bridal bookings, as well as makeovers and make-up lessons.

Summer Skincare

Sali Jones — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I apply SPF to my face each day; so much so that I probably remember to do it more than I do brush my hair!

SPF is important every day of the year, but especially in the summer and it’s best to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine. Do you know what else is good about SPF? It'll help prevent ageing and skin cancer. Wearing SPF is probably the most important thing that you can do for your skin; even in the dark and cold winter, cloudy/rainy days, you should put sunscreen on EVERY SINGLE DAY. Your skin rejuvenates completely every 25 to 35 days but the damage is permanent.

That said, suncream is the worst thing ever on your face. It’ll make you feel greasy and your skin feels heavy almost. Seriously, that’s not a good base for your make-up! So, we need a moisturiser with some SPF in, but one that’s not going to leave your face like a block of butter before you apply make-up.

In my make-up kit, I use Simple light moisturiser; yes, Simple. It’s about £5.00 a big bottle (but half-price in Superdrug at the moment!), and works on 99% of all skin types. So what’s not to like about it?! Well, it won’t do the trick if you suffer from really dry skin so be sure to buy what suits your skincare needs. As you get older, it's likely that it'll get drier and need a thicker moisturiser. The Simple stuff is light enough to use on your face (with the SPF in it too!) and can be used to freshen up dry areas such as your knees and shins. Usually, something that bridesmaids ask me for is a moisturiser for their pins, and this stuff works perfectly. I’ve also been known to mix a tiny bit of table salt in some for a quick exfoliator on extra dry skin.

At home, I’m a no7 girl so I religiously use no7 Protect and Perfect Day cream, and then their night cream. Again it’s got SPF15 but it’s a bit thicker than the Simple stuff so it takes a little while to sink in which I think puts some people off when they are in a rush. My top tip is to apply it before you’re about to blow dry your hair; in the five or ten minutes that takes, it’ll all be soaked in beautifully! Or, put it on then go wash your hands and brush your teeth :)

Sometimes though, SPF15 just isn’t going to cut it; if you’re in the sun a lot on holiday or at a festival, chances are you're going to want a much higher SPF so that you don’t burn and feel safer. As such I turn to Bioderma Photoderm Max 50+. Factor 50+ means it’s pretty much a sunblock which is what you want in direct sun. Some worry that having a higher factor is going to be greasier but this stuff is incredibly light sinks straight into the skin. You can also get their spray version; fab!

What SPF are you using at the moment? There's a whole spectrum of products out there, so go ask for samples in department stores to try out what suits you before you splurge money on something.

jayerockett.com

Sali Jones — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I got to know Jaye through Twitter, as a blogger with a witty tongue and kind heart. She writes passionately and loves make-up; why wouldn't I love her?! We spoke about her dissertation piece in which she had to produce a magazine, and she asked if I'd write an article for it. I really enjoyed writing it so I've copied it below but you can see all things Jaye related on her blog here. (p.s. she does some AWESOME sale posts every now and then, keep your peepers out!)

You can ask anyone, but I bet that no two days are the same for a make-up artist. I’ve started bridal make-up at 6am and 6pm, travelled three hours to a disused airfield in Grimsby to shoot in a dilapidated aircraft, thrown flour and glitter at models, painted people in SFX make-up, fake blood and glitter glue, hoisted bums and boobs into clothing that was slightly too tight in places; have you worn a latex ball gown that has to be stepped into and doesn’t have a zip? That’s an experience for both the model and the person/people who gets in it, believe me!

Like a good chunk of the population, I start my day (like many others) by reaching for my iPhone to look at emails, social media and the news. I relish the chance of a lie-in and I try to have separate admin days for emails and messages, and I have a to-do spreadsheet which I update regularly to keep myself in check!

On days that I’m not shooting, I’ll either work from home or find a café/bar in Nottingham with free Wi-Fi. I’ve got a selection of favourites places now who all know what I drink; both pre-5pm and post 5pm! I will work from home as well, but I sometimes find I’ll get distracted by chores and then not really knuckle down. A fellow friend and business owner suggested it as she finds she’s more productive, so I took her advice. It helps me get more done in less time. I have more focus on my to-do list and it helps me differentiate between work and home; when I’m home I can relax and not be looking guiltily at my laptop thinking about what needs to get done!

As a part of maintaining my work/life balance, I’ve got myself a little city centre studio. I’d say 90% of the work I do is out of there now; just a little space for me and my make-up. I do my one-to-one lessons there, makeovers for clients going on a night out and most of my wedding make-up trials. It’s great having all my kit in one place! While I’ve my own studio room for make-up, I share the building with Luna Photography; my best friend and partner in crime and business. We run a makeover photoshoot business together and are often collaborating on that or for designer look books, model portfolios or simply for us to flex our creative muscles.

On wedding mornings, my day will actually start the night before making sure everything is packed. I clean all my brushes, leaving them to dry overnight. I go through emails and messages and make sure I’ve got the address of where I need to be, the time I need to be there, the number of clients, wedding time and a contact number. All these things need to be mentally checked off for a smooth start to the day! With my kit checked, lunch packed, details confirmed and brushes cleaned I’m ready for anything and everything but make-up isn’t just having your brushes and products in place; it’s business management too. No two days are the same in this job, but I wouldn’t change it for the world :)

Trial advice

Sali Jones — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Wedding make-up is about making you look the very best version of yourself possible. Getting to know each other will help us come up with an absolutely perfect plan for your wedding make-up, ensuring you look and feel the very best you can on your big day. When you come for your bridal trial with me, it's our time to get to know each other; you can ask me all your questions about make-up as you'd like! I get a lot of questions about what to bring to a trial, so here are a few pointers.

1) Your photos! I flippin' love looking at photos of your dress, your shoes, your accessories, your decorations/invites/colour schemes. It'll help me build a picture of how you're going to look on the day so I can think of things that will both compliment you and your wedding.

2) Fresh-faced! Please exfoliate your face and neck the day before and moisturise the morning of your appointment. I love these pads for exfoliating. Start off using them every other evening. They'll smooth out your skin without scrubbing at it. I'm not the type of person to demand that you're fresh-faced with no make-up on when you turn up. All I would say though is please keep it to the bare minimum and avoid waterproof mascara.

3) Wear light colours, or colours close to what you're wearing when you get married. It'll give you a better idea of what your make-up will look like; wearing a bright or dark colour top/dress when you're gonna have a white/ivory will make your make-up look completely different. You may be looking at your make-up while wearing a black sweater thinking "Oh yes, let's go darker on the eyes" but when it comes to wearing your dress you may feel differently!

4) Feel free to bring someone who'll give you an honest opinion, but won't take over your idea/plans. If you REALLY want red lipstick, don't listen to what someone else wouldn't wear on their big day. It's YOUR big day, and we want YOU to feel comfortable! Equally, if you don't want red lipstick but someone else really would, I don't want you to feel forced to do something that might look nice but won't really feel like you. Someone with an encouraging but friendly open mind :)

5) Dress up and make plans for after! When you've had your makeup done, you're going to want to make the most of it so make plans. Go for drinks, coffee, three course meal, quick dinner in Spoons - whatever it is, enjoy your makeup! Dress it up under the guise of "I need to see how my makeup lasts in different environments, like beer gardens or air conditioned restaurants" if you need an excuse ;)

Here's what Alys said about hiring me:

"Sali was utterly superb from the emails before the trial to communications following our wedding! She is creative, caring, calm and extremely talented. She manages the fine art of making the best of your own features, building confidence, trust and ensuring a look that works for you whilst giving the style of which you only thought could dream."

I want you to feel comfortable and safe with me, as you're putting a lot of trust in me. If you want to book a trial with me for your wedding day, contact me here and if you've any questions just fire away.

Sugar and Vice SS16

Sali Jones — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Emma and I have both wanted to work with Gingerface for a while and when we approached her it was just after she'd announced her hiatus - would she still like to shoot with us? Her answer, YES! :D On the morning of the shoot, we have a bit of a mix-up with someone we were meant to be borrowing some plants from so we popped to see the lovely ladies of Lee Rosy's tea room across the street from us and asked if we could borrow their plant from the window. Here's Emma looking not so camouflaged!

I'm gonna let the Sugar & Vice jewellery pieces do the talking now with some more behind-the-scenes photos for you to enjoy. If you click the photos, you'll be taken to the S&V store where you can purchase the items AND other amazing jewellery pieces.

I've shot for Sugar & Vice a few times now and it's always an absolute blast. I get to work in my studio with Emma from Luna Photography and aside from the pieces of jewellery, we're kinda given free rein with casting and styling. Which is ace! Whilst I adore getting to do bridal make-up, it's really nice to flex my creative muscle and flash some colour about the place ;)

Jenny and Kitty

Sali Jones — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:20:00 +0000

I got my studio in Hockley with Emma of Luna Photography about three years ago now, and whilst we're not in the studio all that often at the same time we flippin' love working together when we can get in. Emma does a lot of commercial, wedding and family photography but we've also our business, Flashes and Lashes which is a makeover photoshoot experience. Whilst we're known for our pin-up/vintage styling, we absolutely love working with people who want a photoshoot to just feel good about themselves - whatever the style, we absolutely guarantee to have you smiling and feeling good when you're at Flashes and Lashes HQ.

A friend of ours, Andy aka Yayzus of Danny's Tattoos contacted me last year about booking a shoot for his girlfriend and her daughter as a birthday treat for them. As I was doing Jenny's make-up, her daughter Kitty watched intently how and what I was applying to her face and beamed the entire time. When it came to teaching Kitty about applying make-up, she listened and asked great questions and even made me a little thank you video to recap her lesson to prove she had listened to her application steps. What an absolute sweetheart!

Here are a few photos from their photoshoot with us. We love mother and daughter shoots, but we can guarantee whatever your occasion will be made better with a makeover photoshoot experience. I guarantee it!

Wedding morning tips

Sali Jones — Mon, 23 May 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I've had the privilege of being at flippin' loads of wedding mornings; here's the expert advice I've picked up over time which may help you on your big day...

1 - When getting your hair and make-up done, you’ll want something loose-fitting and comfortable. Dressing gowns are great, as are big button-up shirts or pyjama tops; something you can easily get over your head when your hair is done, or that you don't mind being cut out of - Primark is great for huge t-shirts on the cheap! I’m not a fan personally, but the onesie has done great things for bridal mornings too...

2 - Unless your dress has shoulders/sleeves you’ll also probably not want bra straps so I tend to advise clients to slip off their straps and not wear socks in the morning. Like any of you need an excuse for comfy slippers!?

3 - In prep for make-up, I’d always say in the weeks prior to wedding D-day to eat lots of fruit and veg, get plenty of water, moisturise and sleep/rest. I really appreciate that this is easier said than done when you have got a hundred of things on your mind but making an effort to do them will improve your mood, your skin and your general health.

4 - Take the opportunity while you can to sit down. You’re going to be on your feet all day, meeting, greeting, dancing, toasting etc, so in the morning chill out a bit.

5 - Breakfast. Eat some! You have got a long day ahead, even if it's just a biscuit every hour something in your tummy will help you. The butterflies might not get you but at least fuelling your body for what'll be a long day; believe me, you'll need the energy.

6 - Bridesmaids (sorry in advance!). My final tip is to think about the word “bridesmaid”. Bride’s MAID... At the end of the day, you chose them to help you get married; for the weeks and months in preparation for the day AND on the day too. If you need your shoes getting out the wardrobe, a hand painting your nails or if you just NEED that top-up of Bucks Fizz; ask! That’s what they are there to do. Also don't be afraid to ask for a bit of peace and quiet as it can get quite nerve-wracking and with people asking questions, getting excited and chattering, it can make you anxious. It's your day after all, so ask for a little quiet if you need it.

This is what Jo said about having me there on her wedding morning:

"Sali really came into her own on the wedding day, not only did she make me and my 5 (yes 5) bridesmaids look extra beautiful, she was also amazing when the wedding nerves took over and I turned into a jittery mess. She looked after me, made sure I had enough to drink and helped me calm down by being her fantastic, lovely, funny self. I'd recommend Sali again and again and again for all of your make-up needs, but especially for your wedding day, I feel blessed that she was with me on the most special morning of my life."

All my photos above show my brides smiling, which I'm really quite proud of. I'm a pretty good person to have around in a stressful situation and can often read people pretty well if I say so myself! Getting you a drink, letting you squeeze my hand, telling you to go for a nervous wee or making you laugh and smile; my priority is your face AND your wellbeing. Be assured that with my experience of wedding mornings, I'm going to be more than your make-up artist; I'm your personal assistant.

If you'd like to book me for your wedding, drop me an email here and let me know your date. I've got books open for 2017 and 2018 and a few days left for 2016. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Image of the Year 2016

Sali Jones — Mon, 16 May 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Spent some brilliant days with KH Hair again recently, working for their Image of the Year competition! Each salon competes and produces an image with a model, doing either a hair colour, cut or style and then they are judged and winners are to be announced at their annual awards in April 2016. Here are some of my favourite shots with photos by the ever lovely, Marcus Holdsworth Photography.

As always, working with the salons was an absolute dream; each came to me with their vision for their model but encouraged creative artistic licence. At the annual awards on 9 April 2016, it was announced that KH Hair Sadlergate had won the competition! Here's my before and after of the model Rebecca, some behind-the-scenes pics and then the winning image. Congrats to all involved!

Jo's wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 09 May 2016 09:20:00 +0000

I've known Jo probably about 9 years now through work, and she's always been a joy to be around. She's so kind and caring, her personality is just infectious and you can't help but feel good around her. I've done her make-up a couple of times for special occasions but when her and long-time boyfriend Damien got engaged, she booked Lucille's Locks and myself ASAP for her wedding makeover team.

Jo knew what she wanted for her wedding makeup, stating matte dark eyeshadow and a nude matte lip was her thing. Her hair by Lucille's Locks complimented her dress perfectly, and photos by Luna Photography were the absolute icing on the cake. Another great friend and colleague BooBooKitty Couture made the bridesmaid's dresses, which were brilliant on the morning of the wedding. Lucille and I got to Jo's hotel to a piercing fire alarm but they all kept Jo calm, kept her laughing and made the morning a pleasure to be involved with.

Here's what Jo said about hiring me:

"When I got engaged in July 2014 I had no doubt who would be my make-up artist for our wedding day. Sali had made me up a few times for parties and friends weddings so I knew it had to be her. Before the trial, I'd saved a few pictures of the sort of thing I liked and on the morning of the trial, we talked through each picture to understand what I liked about each one. The trial make-up was perfect and Sali made me look exactly as I had hoped. Sali really came into her own on the wedding day, not only did she make me and my 5 (yes 5) bridesmaids look extra beautiful, she was also amazing when the wedding nerves took over and I turned into a jittery mess. She looked after me, made sure I had enough to drink and helped me calm down by being her fantastic, lovely, funny self. I'd recommend Sali again and again and again for all of your make-up needs, but especially for your wedding day, I feel blessed that she was with me on the most special morning of my life. And, before I forget to mention my make-up lasted ALL day, it survived wind and rain, it survived numerous glasses of prosecco, the wedding breakfast and evening buffet and lots and lots of dancing. What more do you need from an MUA?!"

I love doing make-up at Swancar Farm because it's simply beautiful and the staff are just lovely. I'll leave you with a couple more photos by Emma of Luna Photography.

Pin Up Curl

Sali Jones — Mon, 02 May 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Happy bank holiday Monday, everyone! I'm hoping that the sun is shining, but I'll be honest, I'm over in Ibiza, so I've no idea what the weather is like in the UK. Please don't hate me too much!

Myself and Sarah from Pin Up Curl have been doing weddings together for a year or so now, and we've coined ourselves as "Team Pin Up Moo!" She's great to be around, works hard and is taking the Derbyshire vintage wedding scene by storm. I caught up with her recently to ask a few questions...

Sarah! How did you get into doing vintage hairstyling?

I'd always liked vintage, so when I was invited to a 40s weekend in Derbyshire ,I decided to have a go at styling my own hair using the traditional technique of pin-curling. After that, I became slightly obsessed with all things vintage hair-related and began to practise every night, soaking up information from online videos and books! After about 6 years of styling my own hair, I started to style my own and had my first pop-up salon at a local vintage shop. It was so successful that I decided to launch Pin Up Curl in March 2014.

'Hair' on BBC 3 must have been a fab platform for you. What're the best things you've learnt from the whole experience?

'Hair' was amazing for me. I still get recognised now, which is so lovely. The biggest things I learnt were to focus more, that you can never stop learning, and to practice practice practice!

Obviously, we both offer a vintage bridal service. What other styles interest you?

I really enjoy getting creative with something a bit more avant-garde. I recently styled 3 ladies for an Enchanted Woodland-themed birthday party, which involved a fauxhawk and a crazy big multi-textured pom-pom style hairdo! I loved doing it.

You launched Pin Up Curl Hairwear recently; congrats! What're your plans for the business?

So many plans, not enough time! I'm planning to expand into fabric pieces, such as 40s-style turbans, also knitted and crocheted hats and bridal pieces, such as vintage-inspired birdcage and blusher veils and headpieces. A lot of the materials I use are also true vintage, which will give my pieces an extra individuality.

Isn't she lovely? You can purchase her hairwear, and you can book her for your wedding! Booking the Team Pin Up Moo experience for your day couldn't be simpler; get in touch :)

Bridal Photoshoot

Sali Jones — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Coral & Stone are a duo of wedding photographers (Emma & Jade) based in the East Midlands (One in Derbyshire and one in Northamptonshire!) They contacted me back in Autumn about setting up a bridal shoot and had done insane amounts of research and planning for it; they were putting together a whole team for the shoot, and was I available to be a part of it? Hell yes, I was!

This shoot was also featured in And So To Wed's Spring 2016 issue, which was flippin' lovely as well as finding my make-up on the front cover. Happy days! I'm going to let the images do the talking as they are utterly beautiful, so I'll leave you with a list of all the other amazing creative wedding suppliers involved. Enjoy! x

Photographers – Coral and Stone Photography
Stylists – Orange Tree Weddings
Dresses - Giling and White Bridal
Makeup – Ms Moo Makeup
Hair – Alison Jenner
Models – Model Students: Liv, Katie, Dominic, Jade and Esther
Floral headpieces – Florrie and Eve
Flowers – Michele Gledhill
Silk Ribbons – Pompom Blossom
Jewellery – Zoe Ruth Designs

Make-up Shelf Life - pt 2

Sali Jones — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:25:00 +0000

After my little rant a few weeks ago about mascara shelf life, I figured I'd do a little guide on the shelf life of other products that are likely to be in your make-up bag.

In a nutshell;

* Mascara : 3 months. No quibbling on this one; set a reminder on your phone or write in your diary/planner three months after you buy a new one.

* Gel or liquid eyeliner: 4-5 months. Anything liquid/creamy, you'll be able to tell when it's gone off. It won't apply as smoothly and it'll potentially be a bit crumbly or clumpy.

* Eyeshadow: If you're not regularly sanitising your products (which MUAs will be) you really need to get rid after about 9-12 months. Also, those sponge applicators that often come with an eyeshadow? Throw it away; it's a breeding ground for bacteria and they suck when it comes to application. Invest in a good set of brushes, and your make-up application skills will improve dramatically!

* Foundation - 12 months. If your foundation separates and needs a good shake before you apply it, shake it all the way to the bin! I tend to recommend to all my clients to have two shades over 12 months; your shade will need to change with your face so don't be using the same foundation all year round. You need to match your foundation to your neck, not your face so test the colour around the jawline; you'll want it to blend seamlessly.

* Lipsticks/gloss - about 18 months. Harder wearing than any other product but again, check the texture and the smell of the products. Let it go if you're not 100% sure.

I bet there's a bag or draw of make-up somewhere that you've got that you've had for years, but then haven't used because it's expensive or because you don't know how to use it. If you've got it because it's expensive but it's out of date, just chuck it; the value of it is gone now and there's no point keeping it, unfortunately.

What's in your make-up bag? Have I inspired you to have a clear-out?

Amber's review

Sali Jones — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I have a lot of transgender clients, providing monthly makeovers for nights out to my one-to-one makeup lessons in order to learn how to apply make-up. There's not much I love more than hearing back from clients and getting photos of their make-up and practice runs.

"I’ve visited Sali several times to have my make-up done before I go out ‘en femme’ as my female alter-ego Amber so know her work on me is always excellent.

This time around I went for a make-up lesson. I had been on a part-time make-up course and knew the basics but was eager to have Sali’s input into helping me create my perfect look. It seems we’re both big fans of vintage glam, so I knew she’d be perfect to teach me.

As always, she was very helpful before, during and after the lesson. She went to great lengths to take notes during the lesson and compile them into a Word document afterwards so I’d have a reference when it came to doing my own look. She was happy to let me apply my own make-up, step by step or jump in and do something for me if it was too challenging. Like everything she does, it is tailored to how you want the make-up and the experience to be.

She was very generous in being flexible with times; it ran over what I thought it would take but it was not a bother for her and I left with new knowledge and of course, a great make-up job with help from Sali. She’s always relaxed, fun, reassuringly confident in her work and is an all-around brilliant human being!"

If you like the sound of a make-up lesson but have any specific questions, please do get in touch. You can purchase one as a gift certificate too through my website for a friend or family member; perfect for birthdays and special occasions!

Make-up Shelf Life - pt 1

Sali Jones — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:25:00 +0000

There are a bazillion (yes, that's a word!) of articles for the shelf life of make-up but I don't think people really realise why it's so important.

I asked someone recently at a make-up lesson if they had mayonnaise in the fridge that was 6 months out of date but there were still loads left in the jar, would they eat it? Answer: Hell no, and dry retch.

So damn it, why are people still using mascara on their EYES that are out of date?!

If you're wearing mascara every day, 3 months of use and you're done. It doesn't matter if there are loads left; after that amount of time the product will not be doing its job properly and you're putting your peepers at risk! Is it really worth risking an eye infection instead of just spending £10.00 (or less!) on a new mascara?

I bet there are people with drawers of make-up that they can't bear to throw away because it once cost a lot of money. I know I've got stuff that needs chucking, it's just a case of getting round to it but it's certainly not in my kit or being used. If you don't know how long you've had a product or its shelf life, you're going to be putting your health at risk and won't be getting the best out of the product. Chances are if you've had something over 12 months you're not using it, and it should probably just get chucked.

This is likely to be an ongoing topic of the blog, so I've labelled it as part 1. I cover information about the shelf life of cosmetics in my 1-2-1 make-up lessons, so if any of the above sounds like you and you'd like to book in with me, contact me here :)

Emma's wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Emma messaged me about her wedding makeup but I already recognised her face; I'd worked with her before! When she was at university, I did the makeup for one of her final year projects for a photoshoot so it was lovely to hear from her last August about her wedding in January 2016. We booked in a trial and had a good catch-up about what we'd both been up to since we'd worked together (which we realised was all the way back in 2011!)

Emma wanted a really fresh look to her bridal makeup and wanted to glow. Super soft eyeshadow with a hint of shimmer, defined brows and red lips. Absolutely red lips! We went for Illamasqua's Maneater - it's a classic red and becoming a favourite amongst my brides! It's a cherry red colour with a matte finish that doesn't budge.

She contacted me a week or so before her big day to say her Mum had had a bit of an ordeal with an eyelash treatment she'd had that hadn't quite worked out. It was so lovely to do her Mum's makeup in the morning too; they were both so calm and happy, it was a pleasure to spend the morning with them.

Emma and Dave got married at Hodsock Priory which is famed for its Snowdrop fields; I hadn't been before but it's absolutely beautiful there. Here are some of their photos from their photographer Tierney Photography, you can see more on his blog too. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Siddall!

GGs and Flashes and Lashes

Sali Jones — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I first worked with GG's Pin-up Couture back in 2012 with burlesque starlet Anna Fur Laxis, known for her knife-throwing and heart-stopping acts.

Since then Gail from GG's Pin-up Couture has gone from strength to strength. Based out of South Wales, she's taken on the flippin' world; she's designed for River Island and has been featured on Rock n Roll Bride, in The Sun and Vintage Life magazine. All her products are painstakingly handmade and are 100% vegan.

She contacted me via Flashes and Lashes in January to shoot her new collection, and we absolutely jumped at the chance. She had a bright new collection to shoot and wanted someone young and quirky to best accentuate the products so we asked a friend of ours who's modelled for us before to step in front of the camera.

With the launch at the beginning of March, the collection has been really well received and has had flippin' lovely comments about the images too. Here are a few below! If you want to book us for a shoot, just contact me. Click on the images to purchase the items from GG's :)

Amanda's review

Sali Jones — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Teaching clients really makes me happy! I've taught all over basic make-up tips and more specialised lessons for a specific look, and each of my clients has been a superb student.

This review from one of my trans clients, Amanda, moved me to tears recently. Happy tears, but still. I have no doubt in my mind that I have the absolute best clients ever!

"Hi Sali

Thanks for the link to your new website. It looks great. I'm sorry that I didn't get back to you last year with the feedback that I promised I would send after the make-up lessons that I had with you.

The feedback I would give is that when I booked the lesson with you I was incredibly nervous. (As a trans person I have found it really difficult to get a make-up lesson without being charged the earth purely because I am trans). I needn't have been nervous. You put me completely at ease and were very patient in explaining what you were doing. I was really pleased with the end result and in short, you have given me the skills I needed to be able to apply my own make-up which has given me a whole new social life.

I have since recommended you to other trans friends and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to others. I hope 2016 brings you more clients and an increase in your business, you deserve it!

Many thanks
Amanda x"

To book me for a makeover or lesson, contact me here!

Top ten under £10.00

Sali Jones — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Here's my list of year-round goodies that you absolutely MUST have in your make-up bag or on your dressing table.

Ardell Demi Wispies False Eyelashes - £5.49

Absolute favourite lashes ever. They just add extra “oomph” to your eyes and I’ll always recommend that bridal clients go for lashes in order to define their eyes. They aren’t heavy, obtrusive or fiddly to get on or off and are fab value for money.

Garnier Micellar Water - £4.99 (currently £3.33!)

This stuff has revolutionised my face. Honestly! It’s so easy to clean your face with and the bottle lasts a really long time. It removes stubborn make-up with no rubbing or scrubbing and leaves your face feeling fresh. It doesn’t take the place of the whole cleansing/toning/moisturising regime but if you’re shattered, reach for this and a cotton pad instead of a face wipe. Afterwards, ALWAYS moisturise.

Soap and Glory Sexy MotherPucker - £9.00 (currently £7.00!)

These glosses are beautiful and smell amazing. They won’t make you like Angelina Jolie but they deffo have a little tingle to them and give a wonderful long-lasting shimmer without feeling thick on your lips.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer - £6.49

I’ve managed to pick up a couple of these from shops (or ‘Lands’) with ‘Pound’ in the name and imagine my surprise when they turned out to be flippin’ AMAZING. I’d leave the matte versions well alone but the glosses have high shine and fab colour payoff. Apocalyptic and Burning Lava are my two favourites.

Danielle Creations Shaving Mirror - £6.99

How many people struggle to see what they are doing without their glasses, or could just do with being able to get a couple of inches away from the mirror? Get a shaving mirror! This one is perfect and I recommend it to all my lesson clients. When you’re sitting doing your make-up, have it at head height or look down into it at an angle doing your lashes then you’ve two hands-free!

Palmers Cocoa Butter – Anti-Ageing Smoothing Lotion, £4.39

This stuff is super duper cheap and wonderful on the skin; apparently, the smell is a bit like Marmite in that some people love it and some hate it! Either way, it's super smoothing; I've used it on tired feet, stretch marks, sore armpits, dry knees and elbows - everything! Get some and slather yourself in it after each shower and bath. Massage your face a little when moisturising it in.

Seventeen Foundation Stay Time – £6.49

This foundation is incredible for the price but takes a bit of work to make sure it’s flawless. Really make sure you moisturise and use a primer beforehand as it can be drying but it does give a super coverage.

No 7 Beautifully Matte primer - £10.50

I know this is EVER so slightly over budget (naughty Moo!) but it’s so worth it, and if you purchase lots of other things from Boots you’ll often get a discount voucher for no7 make-up. And the points! It’s been a staple in my kit since I started doing make-up, it’s really reasonably priced and does the job. Too much can make the skin chalky almost so use sparsely on problem oily areas and make sure it’s all sunk in before applying foundation.

Soap and Glory, The Perfect Ten Eyeshadow - £10.00

Can you tell I’m having a bit of a personal love affair with Soap & Glory? Their products are truly fab considering they are a high street brand. The quality of their skincare stuff has been brilliant for years so this foray into cosmetics just delights me, especially as the quality is still freakin’ brilliant. This eyeshadow palette has such a great colour pigmentation and they are super easy to blend as well. Perfect for beginners and pros for creating a smoky eye, and only a tenner. Bonza!

Rebecca's wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Rebecca came to me to ask about wedding hair and make-up after a bit of a disastrous trial (her words, not mine!) She knew what she wanted but the other make-up artist hadn't done what she'd asked. She booked in with myself and Lucille's Locks, and the Dream Team bundled our way to Repton in Derbyshire on a bank holiday weekend.

Rebecca's wedding was a 60's tipi medley; she wore red shoes, red lipstick, and flowers in her hair and her groom wore a bow tie, a waistcoat, his sleeves rolled up and sunglasses. They are both the epitome of cool! Matt Brown Photography got some incredible photos which I'm happy to share with you. Here's what Rebecca said about working with me;

"Sali was an absolute diamond. She made me look prettier than I have ever been, and really made me feel at ease! I wish I could hire her to come and put my face on every day. Thanks so much, Sal; everyone said I looked beautiful and I really did feel it."

To book me for your wedding, contact me here!

Dry lips

Sali Jones — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:22:00 +0000

Vaseline is one of those things ingrained in us that it's moisturising and good for dry lips. In reality, it doesn't moisturise dry lips at all; it causes a barrier over your lips and gives a sense of false hydration :/ Even on their site, they say that it's absorbed into the skin but another question says that it provides a protective barrier; which is it?!

I do use it for glossing eyelids sometimes or around my hairline when I'm dying my hair but that's about it. It's not in my kit to put on people's lips, as it just won't work! It's not good for the planet either as it's a by-product of crude oil; it's not sustainable and it's basically a waste product. Eurgh :/

At home, I'm a big fan of coconut oil. I use it to cleanse my face and apply it to my lips regularly. They are the softest they've been in a long time and haven't cracked this winter at all *touch wood*! They did get pretty dry when I was poorly recently but instead of using Vaseline to help scrub them with some salt, I just swapped it out and used the coconut oil. Worked just as well!

In my kit I keep Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour cream; I've talked about it here with some other skincare tips, but it's beautiful and so multipurpose. It'd be a mistake not to have this in my kit when it can be used for so many different things; sunburn, windburn, cracked lips, heels, scrapes, abrasions etc. I think it's possibly my favourite ever product?!

(edit: I've now swapped to Aldi's Miracle Cream as it's vegan and cruelty-free!)

What do you use on your lips to keep them hydrated and smooth?

Rachael's Wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I've known Rachael since September 1999 when I moved high school to Rhiwabon in Wrexham. We sang in choirs together, did school plays together, carol concerts, played sports, did Maths, and got in trouble! We fell out of touch upon changing schools for sixth form/college but got back in touch about 6 years ago through the brilliant medium of Facebook!

She asked me to do her wedding make-up back home in Wales as soon as she got engaged to Jason; of course, my answer was yes! Her wedding morning was super relaxed, and it was lovely to catch up with her family; mum Elaine and sister Charlotte. She got married in the same church we sang in as kids.

Here are some photos from their big day back in September by Rachel Hale Photography; newlyweds, Mr and Mrs Ruddock went to Vietnam for their honeymoon and announced upon coming home that they are expecting a mini Ruddock in July 2016. I'm so excited! Here's what Rachael said about working with me:

"What can I say about the amazing Sali? Sali and I have been friends for over 15 years and there was no doubt in my mind when I got engaged who I wanted to do my wedding make-up. There's none of this ditzy small talk or fake interest (that we've ALL experienced when we visit generic makeup counters!) with Sali, Sali is Sali and the experience is all the better for it! And unlike many MUAs, Sali definitely doesn't have a certain 'look' she tries to project on to you, she'll listen to everything you say and come up with something that's personal for you."

Congratulations guys, it's been an absolute honour to do your make-up Rachael and watch you down the aisle at St Marys where I have fond memories of us.

To book me for your wedding, contact me here!

Power lipstick

Sali Jones — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Lipstick is so underrated. In these cold and dark weeks after Christmas, everyone's mood slums and enthusiasm for the New Year wains ever so slightly until the days noticeably get longer and payday comes around again. Last week was a washout. I felt rubbish about everything and couldn't motivate myself at all, then I beat myself up for feeling like that instead of being nice to myself. I had to nap because I was exhausted from not sleeping properly, so I wasn't kind to myself about that either! When you feel this low, it's difficult to motivate yourself. I'd flicked through my Timehop in bed and came across this:

"Today is a power lipstick kind of day."

Yes, I had red hair and matching eyebrows and the brows weren't that fabulous back then. I used to use a lip liner which I can remember being a bit greasy!

I decided to take the bull by the horns. I don’t do it often but I got up, had a super long and luxurious bath (Oh, how I love you no7 Christmas smellies) and put a full face of make-up on and decided to wear my power lipstick. Lipstick is only usually something I wear for going out but hell, I was going to need something to get me through! (and coffee).

It’s a dark matte red called Howl by Illamasqua. It's really popular with my bridal clients, and as all Illamasqua lipsticks do, lasts a really flippin' long time. I don’t wear much make-up day-to-day (eyeliner, eyebrows, a bit of concealer and a touch of blush) so this was a nice change. Here I am!! To feel a bit better about myself, I wrote out a gratitude list in my to-do book. Doing this was SO cathartic; I bloody love lists anyway but writing down stuff I was thankful for or just good little things I was looking forward to was so uplifting. It really helped to change my way of thinking, and won me over. This may have also been helped by the mega coffee!

What do you think? How do you deal with your stresses? Have you a power item? Accessories, shoes, handbags? Do YOU have power lipstick? I think everyone should get one.

Maya's wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Maya contacted me just over a year before her wedding to book me for her big day; when she told me it was a vintage style with lots of 40's and 50's influences, I didn't realise how incredible it'd be.

I was working with the lovely Pin Up Curl to makeover Maya and her bridesmaids, and the wizard Ed Godden Photography was behind the camera to capture the day.

Maya and Jamie's wedding was recently featured on the prestigiously awesome Rock n Roll Bride blog; here's what Maya wrote about working with me :)

"Sali did an amazing job of my make-up for my wedding on Monday and helped me to look and feel the part. She did just what I had hoped and asked for and was so lovely to spend time with".

To book me for your wedding, contact me here!

KH Hair Image of the Year 2015

Sali Jones — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 09:25:00 +0000

I'm working with KH Hair again this week. I flippin' love working with them each year, and their art team are wonderfully creative. They set up an inter-salon competition last year; here are some behind-the-scenes photos I took and final look photos by the super talented Marcus Holdsworth.

Becky's Wedding

Sali Jones — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Becky contacted me through a mutual friend, hairdresser extraordinaire QueenB's Hair. She'd been nervous about booking a make-up artist, and told me deciding on someone to do her make up was a very scary prospect, as she'd been having the most nightmares about her make-up going wrong for some reason!

Despite having lots of beautiful bridesmaids to do, the morning of Becky's wedding was a hoot and so relaxed. The radio was on, the kettle kept going; laughter filled the house and every bridesmaid was happy, excited and supportive of Becky; absolutely fantastic bunch! It was lovely to catch up with Katy too.

Becky's make-up was soft and elegant which perfectly matched her elegant up-do and superb dress. Here's a snap I got on my phone before leaving.

Here's what Becky said about working with me:

"Loved Sali and loved her makeup on my wedding day. We had a great day and Sali made everyone feel comfortable and relaxed when she worked with them. Thank you Sali! x"

To book me for your wedding, contact me here!

Zoe's photoshoot

Sali Jones — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:25:00 +0000

Zoe emailed us to say; "I have been struggling with my weight since forever and have decided enough is enough. I'm going to stop abusing my body, and celebrate it! To mark my change in attitude, I want a new fun-loving, burlesque-inspired look and was wondering if you would help me? :)"

You can bet your butt we can help!

Zoe came to visit the studio recently for a shoot with Flashes and Lashes; if you didn't know, this is my pin-up makeover photoshoot business that I run with Emma, aka Luna Photography! We set up in about 2009 and are known for our vintage/pin-ups but we pretty much shoot anyone in any style and pride ourselves on bringing out the absolute best in people. No over-retouching and BIG time building confidence is what we're all about. If you want to be superimposed on a majestic backdrop, then we aren't for you but if you want to look and feel good naturally, we're the right birds for you.

Between me and Emma, we'll make you feel as comfortable as possible. Our personalities are so laid back and we're that right mix of professional with a personal touch. You're one of us when you're with us, and we won't have you feel anything other than special.

Isn't she flippin' gorgeous? She also wrote us a very kind review. If you want to book in after seeing her photos, get in touch with me. We have gift vouchers if you have got a friend you feel would benefit from a self-esteem boost too!

"Sali and Emma are lovely: bubbly and sweet. You're greeted with friendly faces and a relaxed, easy atmosphere. Sali's application of makeup and Emma's hairstyling makes you feel relaxed and glamorous and the photoshoot is so much fun that I couldn't stop smiling for days after. I recommend a package for everyone: you deserve it! :) xx"

2015 - that's a wrap!

Sali Jones — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:35:00 +0000

2015 has been incredible for Ms Moo and for me personally. I've tried to tot up my top 5 moments/achievements of the year for both!

Ms Moo.
1 - I've done more make-up lessons than any other year; they've gone down an absolute storm, and I've had wonderful feedback from clients.
2 - Beautiful weddings! I've done more than ever, including my first ever gay wedding which will forever now be known as "a wedding". Go UK for agreeing to same-sex marriages, it's been a flippin' long time coming.
3 - So many talented photographers! This year I've got to work with Luna Photography, Field Photographic, Ed Godden, Camera Hannah, Your Perfect Day, Matt Brown, Rachel Hale - SO MANY! Thank you all for your hard work on the day & creating beautiful images for our happy couples to treasure and for me to showcase my work.
4 - My transgender clients; you're all UTTERLY awesome. Each makeover has been a treat to do, and each lesson has filled me with the joy of teaching both make-up skills and self-confidence. You're all-star pupils to me.
5 - VOGUE ITALIA! I don't often get work published these days as it's rare I get to do photoshoots, but working with Rozalind Williams earlier this year with Ash Millmann resulted in our work being published in Vogue Italia. So proud of everyone <3

Sali.
1 - Niall and I moved in together into a house that's ours and not my bachelorette pad. I love our little house and have had the most perfect first Christmas in it. I love calling it our home :)
2 - I went on my longest holiday ever! 10 beautiful days in Malta in May with the love of my life in beautiful sunshine. Perfect.
3 - My work with BODY; I said last year I'd do more for charity and I was set two tasks. Be a befriender for a BODY client who's undergoing treatment with them and to get Dr Christian Jessen on board for BODY. Befriending has been challenging and yet so rewarding, helping someone suffering with BDD to just get what's in their head off their chest and supporting them through dark days. I've grown really fond of my client, and I'm so proud of her. Oh, and Dr Christian Jessen? We're mates! I bought him a birthday cake ;) Hey Christian, it's my 30th in July; just sayin'!
4 - Foodbank; through my desk job, I collected food and clothing donations for a local charity just before Christmas. I was overwhelmed with how generously people gave and was proud as punch of my workmates for the support and encouragement. The charity were super, and continues to work hard. I hope to continue my donations in 2016.
5 - I achieved my New Year’s resolution! In 2013 I said I wanted to see 12 bands/comedy shows and I managed eleven. This year I've smashed it with 14! Niall and I have bought a bunch of tickets for 2016 as Christmas presents to each other; gig and comedy tickets mean we have fun things to look forward to, and we get to spend quality time together every few weeks.

Roll on 2016!

Skincare Resolutions

Sali Jones — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:25:00 +0000

Hope you've all had a cracking Christmas! If you're anything like me, I'm full to the brim with amazing food (roast duck, wow!) and too many bottles of prosecco to count...! Did you get any skincare goodies under your tree for Christmas? This lucky Sali got no7's Ultimate Collection gift set; yay! It's got the no7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day AND Night Cream, oodles of bath goodies and both the Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion and Beautiful Skin Dry Skin Rescue; both staples in my kit at work and at home.

As we now hurdle towards the end of 2015 and in keeping with my post last week being about skincare, what’s your favourite way to remove your make-up? Do you cleanse, tone and moisturise or a quick face wipe to remove the day's muck and grime? Soap and water, or (eek!) nothing at all?! If you say yes to anything that involves going to bed with a clean face, you get thumbs up from me. If you don’t take it off, don’t tell me! Fingers in ears, la-la-la, I can’t hear you! Skincare is the first and foremost in make-up.

Everyone knows it’s the cardinal sin to leave your make-up on when you go to bed and yet there are STILL people who do it. This is the time when your skin needs to breathe and if you’re prone to spots, it’s just making it worse. Could you make it a New Year’s resolution to remove your make-up each night?

Happy holidays!

Sali Jones — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 09:30:00 +0000

Just a quick line to say have a wonderful Christmas if you're celebrating and hope you all enjoy some time 'off' with your nearest and dearest.

I'm looking forward to going for dinner tonight with Niall at Annie's Burger Shack, spending some time with him tomorrow and enjoying the whole day to ourselves. Enjoy the day, whatever you do! Much love to all :)

About lessons

Sali Jones — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 09:25:00 +0000

Make-up lessons are one of my favourite things to do; I love putting makeup on people and giving little tips and hints on how to do things better or recommending a product to them. I pride myself on being down to earth and being a realist; I’m not one for spending buckets on lotions and potions, but I like to find the stuff that works and recommend things I’ve tried and liked or that I think is good value for money. I like a good bargain!! That said, you really do get what you pay for; you're instantly going to tell the difference in quality in certain products, be it skincare or make-up.

(by Luna Photography)

When clients come to me for a make-up lesson I'll ask them to bring their make-up kit with them. I don't judge you on what's in there, I want to see what you're currently using and why; what is it that you like about the product, what's not working for you but was previously? What tools are you using, do you know what brushes are for what? What' make-up brushes do you have?

This is all a part of the learning process and I love being able to guide clients through skill tips. One client Clare came to me with a high-end foundation she felt she'd been duped into buying because she just couldn't get on with applying it. I taught her to buff the foundation into her skin and apply thinner layers.

Here’s part of the review she left me:

"I couldn't be more pleased with how the lesson went, it was worth every penny! We managed to cover every stage of make-up application, and talked about products I could use, and how best to use the make-up I've got. I'm using make-up I've bought and avoided because I didn't like the finish, but now know the best technique to get the right results! Thank you Sali for such a wonderful lesson, I'll definitely be recommending you, and keeping you in mind for any makeovers!"

So if you want to book a make-up lesson, drop me an email to book a time and date. You can purchase lesson gift vouchers here too.

DIY SOS - Save our Skin!

Sali Jones — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 09:30:00 +0000

Okay, so now it's reeeeally pretty cold and we need to do something about the effects it's having on us. The cold mornings are biting at your nose and toes, your lips are chapped and your skin is drier than a desert. Central heating and air conditioning are awful for your skin. Before this winter really takes hold, take 30 minutes out of your evening to do this and Save Our Skin! If you’re like me, you’re skint in prepping for Christmas so I want to keep this cheap as chips and you can use a lot of ingredients from your kitchen and store cupboard to look after your face. Free beauty treatments? Woo! Maybe you can get your partner or a mate to help or even join in :)

(by Luna Photography aka Flashes and Lashes)

Lips

Your poor lips; cold sores, splitting, chapping – oww! More moisture is lost through the lips than through any other part of the face or body. When the lips lose moisture, the skin covering them can become tight and start to split. You really ought to keep a lip balm with you at all times in the winter; going between air-conditioned offices, central heating and the downright Baltic wind, you need to; NEED TO! A good investment as well would be a lip exfoliator; it’ll look just like a lipstick tube but have a slight texture to it so when you apply you can rub your lips together to smoothen them.

Alternatively, when you buy yourself a new toothbrush, use your old one (after a very thorough rinse/wash!) and gently buff your lips with a thick slick of Vaseline or coconut oil; don’t scrub your lips else it’ll hurt like hell!

One of my wonder products that I keep in my kit at all times is Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream. Happy lips, perfect for kissing under the mistletoe. (edit: as I'm now a 100% cruelty-free makeup artist, I've swapped from Elizabeth Arden to Aldi's Miracle Cream - a complete dupe and 1/3 of the price)

Skin

Buffing your skin is ALWAYS recommended if you’re going for a spray tan so if you’re heading to the salon, get your Mum/housemate/partner/best mate to give you a helping hand if you need one with a bit of a back rub/scrub for an even tan. It's not just for if you're getting tanned though, exfoliating is key for happy, healthy skin; do it about twice a week when you're in the shower, no more.

If you’ve no exfoliating body wash, put some salt in with body wash; something creamy always works best. Alternatively, you can make your own body scrub with coconut oil, brown sugar and a little vanilla essence it'll smell AMAZING. Rub in lots of circular gentle motions, mostly on your elbows, knees, heels etc. Take some time with your feet too with a flannel, and look after them; they’ll be holding you up while you party the night away!

To purchase, I’ve found no better than Soap & Glory Sugar Crush body scrub. It’s just sumptuous; the lime smell and the feel of your skin afterwards is an absolute winner! Is anyone hoping they’ve got their super-dooper box set under the tree next week too? ;)

Is this thing on...?

Sali Jones — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:30:00 +0000

So I’m Sali, I’m 29 and I’ve lived in Nottingham for about ten years. I hail from Wrexham in Wales and have been a make-up artist for around 8 years now. My nickname on moving to Nottingham was Salimoo and when I needed to decide on a business name, Ms Moo Make Up was just a natural choice.

I believe I’ve got the best job ever. Wedding make-up wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing as I thought it was going to be too stressful, and thought it too daunting to be trusted with someone else’s face on the biggest day of their life. I’d been doing makeup for about four or 5 years when a few friends of mine had got engaged and asked for me to consider doing theirs. Turns out that actually I’m pretty good on a wedding morning; I’m laid back, considerate, well organised and can help diffuse nerves and make people crack a smile with my somewhat dry sense of humour. And I’m pretty good at that make-up thing too!

Lots of my testimonials mention that I’ve a calming influence; offering my hand to squeeze when someone is shaking with nerves or hollering a bridesmaid to get a glass of water or something stronger is part of the service. Your wedding day is for you to enjoy, and being a part of many wedding mornings is an absolute treat for me. I get to enjoy all the laughter, smiles and happy times with you and your nearest and dearest, and make you all look and feel beautiful. Seeing a client smile at themselves in the mirror after I’ve finished their make-up is the best feeling ever; it’s worth every pre-6am alarm clock in the world.

I look forward to writing about my life as a make-up artist here, giving you some tips and hints about make-up/skincare along the way, and sharing the weddings I’ve been a part of.