First it was the trend with one different colored nail (ring finger or/and thumb), which I didn’t care much for. It just seemed too obvious to me, very few combinations that I actually liked. Then there was the ombre effect on each nail, with the tip color fading smoothly into the base of the nail in the opposite intensity or complementary color. That I liked, but haven’t had the experience or frankly enough excitement to do it on my own nails 
Then I stumbled upon this fun, super easy take on the ombre, which is actually painting each nail in a different color of the same family, from dark to light. I currently have some problems with my nails, they brake and exfoliate severely, so I had to cut them really short. I desperately wanted something that would cheer them (me) up, so I remembered about this method. Awesome! I didn’t have a super smooth fading of colors, but I worked with what I found in my polish collection. So here’s my take on it:
I love that they look like candies!
The polishes are (from thumb to pinkie): OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, Catrice 200 From Dusk To Dawn, OPI Parlez-Vous OPI?, Astor 102 Dawn Lilac, Flormar 29.
Btw: What natural oil is beneficial (I mean magical) for nails? Have you tried any good remedies?
xoxo Lili
So yesterday I presented myself with a pink challenge. The idea was to use lots of this color, also to incorporate some flowers and to make a semi-fantasy/wearable look that would transmit a romantic and ethereal mood. It was Valentine’s Day, after all! And I know I won’t be in the mood for so much pink sweetness too often otherwise.
Luckily, I found a fake pink orchid from Ikea I bought a long time ago and pinned it to the side of my head. From there I got the rest of the color inspiration and the softness of the shapes created. I messed up two major elements, because I wasn’t sure of the end result: first are the eyebrows that I totally ignored, thinking of making them as unnoticeable as possible. The thing is that elongating the eyeshadow shape so much, plus the flicked out lashes, requires a matching longer brow. Secondly – the lips, wish they were much pinker! But I’m happy with the result, nonetheless, hope you enjoy:
xoxo Lili
Hi, lovelies! I’m back with my thoughts and pictures from last weekend’s International Make-up Artist Trade Show in London! I booked my ticket and Eurostar train a month ahead of the event and I was lucky to have my very good friends host me, so I really looked forward to it. IMATS is one of the very few make-up shows that I know of and it’s the biggest and most talked about, at least in the online world. It takes place once a year in different parts of the world, London being the only European city on its “tour map”, which is too bad… I think make-up fanatics in Europe would love to attend to more huge events like this, have masters from the industry hold speeches and masterclasses, exchange techniques and knowledge.
The trade show took place at the beautiful Alexandra Palace, a huge luxurious venue pretty far from the city centre. It is surrounded by Alexandra Park and it located on top of a hill, so, honestly, the last climb by foot felt literally like reaching to the “top of the (makeup) world”. I went there by myself and I was smiling walking up the hill (after a 2-overground-trains-and-one-bus trip), it was like the exact physical representation of what I felt like finally getting to the event. The beautiful palace slowly starts to come through the tree branches and it has a lot of stairs until you get to the door/gate. Fairytale!
I got there at around 9:15 (doors opened at 8:30) and was able to quickly check in at the online pre-sale booth , few people in line. They give you a plastic bracelet that you’re supposed to wear both days of the event (if you go). Inside – an immense ceiling, open space hall area with an egyptian theme and huge plants.
You could then leave your coat and other unnecessary baggage for 1 pound at a counter and get your IMATS branded big bag. It was pretty cold though and I got my coat back for the second part of the day After another long corridor with immense conference rooms on the side, there goes the main room where all the exhibitors showcased their products, and where everybody met everybody:
For the full list of the attending brands, go here. The big hits where Illamasqua, MAC, Make Up For Ever, Inglot, NYX and Royal & Langnickel brushes. They had the biggest and busiest booths. I was particularly happy to see such a vast choice of different brush brands and finally got to touch Hakuhodo brushes. O. M. G. I think I heard angels sing when I felt the soft touch of a Hakuhodo blush brush, incredible!!!
Wandering about the booths to check out all the brands so I could have an idea of everyone present, I stumbled upon a makeup demonstration of Eve Pearl herself, a Youtube guru I follow for a long time! Well, she’s not known primarily for her Yt channel, she’s a renowned celebrity make-up artist: 5-time Emmy Award winner with ABC’s The View, also works with NBC’s Today show, Good Morning America, The Academy Awards, and also has her own makeup line. I told her how much I like her work and she was very sweet in response:
Next stop is Illamasqua! My sould brand, my *imaginary* family, no but I felt very warm and fuzzy inside as I approached their su-per busy stand… Because they’ve hosted me with so much love and care during a week as their School of Make-up student a few months ago. I was happy to meet Daniel and Clare again (my teachers), David Horne (Director of School & Product Development), Spob (Head of Professional Development) and Chinyee (School Manager). I also had a lovely chat with a blonde-haired lady (forgot to take her name!) with whom we joked about how crazy the kids where to attack the Illamasqua counter and about MAC’s very Illamasqua-ish take on a makeup demo.
David Horne & Spob being interviewed:
Me with dearest Daniel, Educator & National Make-up Artist at Illamasqua:
Follows, a few striking makeup demos observed throughout the day at IMATS:
There was a corner at the venue, entitled “Make-up Museum”, with some head molds, special effect materials and works of art:
Apart from the products and makeup looks I wanted to enjoy at the event, I really wanted to attend the speaker’s classes or, simply, demonstrations and pieces of advice from the industry professionals. Speeches were held all throughout the day, many overlapping, so you had to be selective and choose to your desire and interest. This is who I’ve managed to see and hear:
Damien Dufresne – award-winning make-up artist and photographer (France):
David Allan Jones – high-fashion runway and editorial make-up artist (Canada):
Terry Barber - M.A.C. Director of make-up art for the United Kingdom and Europe (UK):
EnKore – Youtube guru, 20 years experience as a professional make-up artist (USA):
Valenté Frazier - Emmy Award-winning celebrity make-up artist, A-list clients including Rihanna,Tyra Banks, Iman, Heidi Klum and others (USA):
For the complete set of pictures, please check out my Facebook! For stuff I bought on Saturday from the IMATS, you can visit this blog post on my Romanian page 
All in all it was a beautiful experience and most of all I enjoyed the artistic juice, the atmosphere and the inspiration that I was filled with afterwards. I would not recommend you go there just to buy some discounted products, because the offers were generally not that significant, considering your entrance ticket and the trip to London or even to the venue. I’d highly recommend it for true passionates and professionals, plus… the majority of brands are from the professional range and pretty high-end (except for a few local brands like Sleek, and the American NYX).
The sad part was that the next morning I woke up with a swollen cheek and had to find a dentist asap. It also started to snow heavily and, in the end, I wasn’t able to get to the show, although I was dying to meet the Pixiwoo sisters in person and make some of the bigger purchases. I’m not that sad, because my tooth is now healing properly and, oh well, I really enjoyed the first day of IMATS!
xoxo Lili
Hi everyone! I don’t really have an excuse for this late, second blog post, but I’ve really been busy and I’m even now writing this in a rush, because I have to pack! I’m going to London for this weekend’s International Make-up Artist Trade Show. I’ve been contemplating videos, reviews and hauls from this awesome show for a couple of years now and finally I’m able to attend it myself. It really is a dream come true and I feel like I’m going to touch something that seemed so unreachable and unbelievable 
There aren’t a lot of Make-Up events generally, to be honest, but this is huge and I just can’t wait! I have made a list of what to do (thanks Koren) and what to get from there (really sticking to what I actually need). I would write more, but I have to go in an hour for my train from Antwerp to Brussels, and from there take the Eurostar to London! I will better write a haul, review, pictures afterwards, I surely will!
Apart from organizing a lot of contests on my Romanian blog lately (those are immense work!), I’ve been doing tutorials and make-up jobs also, here’s a preview from last weekend, which I love!
Photography: Magrathean Designs
By the way, I have updated all my portfolio pictures on this web page, check it out! If you want to help me rank the looks based on the more appealing ones, you can do that my Liking/commenting them in the according albums on my Facebook page. Thanks!
PS: If you will be at IMATS too and would like to meet, I’d say 10 o’clock in the morning on Saturday at the entrance, please come over and let’s meet!
xoxo Lili
Welcome everyone! This is my brand new project! It’s been on my mind since forever, but I never managed to put everything together, including design, portfolio, social profiles and my thoughts of course. Since most of you, at this time, probably know me from www.fetelespun.ro, I’m not going to describe myself too much and just really thank you for supporting me on this new adventure. Let all your international friends know about this blog and share the love! If you’re new or just want to find more about me, don’t hesitate to check the About me page.
I will be focusing on makeup looks and reviews on this blog, planning short, to-the-point posts. I want it to be a reflection of my work and what I do, what I am inspired by, what I like. This is all in my head now, but I do not promise I’ll stick to the plan Time will probably tell the format of this new blog.
There’s still work to be done on this page, especially the Portfolio (where I haven’t uploaded all my work yet), and some social profiles where I want to interact and get inspired by the community. But I’d really appreciate your thoughts, suggestions and support! Please follow me on GFC, Facebook, twitter and what not (other social profiles on the Contact page).
By the way, I live in Belgium, so I’d love to interact with Belgian beauty bloggers, so if you are one or know any, let me know! I don’t speak Dutch and just a little French, but I shall at least use Google Translate
It sure is strange to write your very first blog post, but bear with me and stay close for my next stories!
Thank you all,
xoxo Lili
