Transgender woman living in Bristol, where I support the work of the Beaumont Trust as Helpline Co-ordinator. Any views that I post here are my private thoughts and not those of the Trust
2018 is shaping up to be an amazing year ! In January we acquired Kendra Brill Inc and went to China to deliver some Transgender Diversity Training in Beijing. In February, we donated £800 to a women’s refuge for the protection of women and children who have left abusive relationships for the protection of themselves and their children. March saw us acquire the Authentic Image Modelling Agency.
But April. April is shaping up to be something special. Something truly special indeed. Through Kendra and her friends Jade Kenney and Transortium, we’re working to create a safe space called Rainbow Bridge a reality for the LGBTQIA children and their families, looking for respite, education, sanctuary or just simply the support the need. Not just to survive, but to thrive.
You can learn about Rainbow Sanctuary from Kendra herself here or better yet, make a donation at the Gofundme campaign here.
YnotbU is excited to announce the successful conclusion of several months negotiation between YNotbU and the Authentic Image Model Agency, which sees them join our @TransMakeupandBeautyAdvice brand.
Commenting on the acquisition, Amanda Pearson, Creative Director of Altered Image stated “On behalf of Altered Image, I can’t say enough how thrilled we are at this next stage of our business development. We’re excited to be working with the YNotbU team and the opportunities being part of the @TransMakeupandBeautyAdvice brand presents us. Now we have secured this deal for our agency, we can’t wait to get started on our shared vision, the coming years projects and our own USA expansion. In particular, I wanted to thank Gemma Atkinson of @YNotbU for being the inspiration behind this deal and making us feel so welcome.”
Echoing Amanda’s sentiment, Joanna Darrell stated “It’s a real privilege to be able to welcome Authentic Image to our family. The girls energy and passion for what they do has been so much fun to experience during these conversations and their ideas for what we can achieve together has created a real buzz among the team. In addition to recognising and thanking Gemma for her efforts on this project, I’d like to extend my personal thanks to Kim Lewis, former Managing Director of Altered Image, without whom this deal simply would not have happened. The values, ethics and behaviours she has strove for throughout her career and instilled in her team are not just what attracted us initially, but what make it such a good fit for both organisations moving forward. Even though she is stepping down and retiring, I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting 2018 for us all !!!”
The acquisition completes formally at the end of March.
For more information, please contact YNotbU and Authentic Image via our usual communication channels.
One of the great things about working with K’Anne and Shadoe Publishing, is you get a chance to see a number of great events, review wonderful books by really talented authors and chat to K’Anne herself about her writings and what she does to help authors get their work out there to readers.
Earlier this year, I blogged about one of these ideas that she was working and following one of our online chats, I thought I would write an update about her Lesfic Bard Awards, which are rapidly gaining momentum as a competition for authors to showcase their works,
The first thing I wanted to share with you is that the nomination categories have been announced !!! Check out the poster to see this years categories. Any grab your fancy ? (That’s not as rude as it sounds, I promise !!)
As well as the traditional categories, there are some really interesting genres here that you wouldn’t normally see represented. Anthology for example, as well as BDSM (get your kink on) Poetry and Studies. This diverse range of categories is another strength of the awards, you just don’t get this range of genres in other schemes that I’ve seen. It really gives every author a chance to showcase their talents !
The next piece of news that I wanted to share with you is that sponsors are starting to come on board. So far, sponsors have offered financial support for the awards as well as publicity for winners and I thought I would take the opportunity on behalf of lesficbardawards,com to say a huge thankyou to the following organisations !!
Lezbelib – are offering winners the chance to publish an article on their site, shared throughout their social networks. PLUS an advertising banner promoting their latest book !!!
Every month in our Facebook group, we share an online week long themed event with members looking to get inspiration for their exercise regimes, or maybe just a bit of a lifestyle or confidence boost.
They’re great ways to share ideas, meet people having the same issues you’re having, get inspiration and who knows, maybe make a lifelong friend who helps you make a positive change in your transition.
In my makeup group, I get asked all sorts of questions, which are a great way for myself and the members to share and learn. I really love these chances to interact with the women and appreciate them taking the time to join in.
One such lady this week was the lovely Aeryn, who asked what the best way to shape her eyebrows was and also what the best eyebrow shape was for her face. (Didn’t I tell you we get great questions ?) So, I thought I would take the time to write a little note to help you make the most of this makeup essential – let me know what you think !
I did an earlier blog about face shapes here and a blog how to choose right shape for your face so I’m going to assume that you know which one of the six basic shapes (Round, Square, Long, Oblong, Diamond or Heart) that you are and you know what shape you’re aiming for.
So on with the shaping !!
If you’ve tried shaping your eyebrows before and it hasn’t worked for you, then. I recommend that you leave them for about 6 weeks before you have another go. The reason for this is that after this period of time, your natural shape should haver, the goal of shaping is to enhance, not redefine. Otherwise you will look unnatural. Yukky !!
Mark the shape (so you can see what you’re aiming at) If you’re not going to use stencils then you’ll need to work out the basic shape. When I’m doing this for clients, I use an eyebrow pencil and showgirls the three points I’m aiming for. Imagine a vertical line going straight up the side of your nose. Where it intersects your eyebrow is point (1). (It’s where your eyebrow should start from) Next for point (2) imagine a line from the end of your nose that touches your iris. Where this intersects the upper edge of your eyebrow is point (2). Its where we want the highest point of your arch or curve to be. Lastly, for point (3) we want to imagine a line from the edge of your nose to the edge of your eye. Where this intersects your eyebrow is where we want your eyebrow to end. Take a look at the graphic below to see what I’m talking about. A good tip here is make sure that point (1) is at the same height as point (3)
The three lines you’re aiming to re-create for your eyebrow shape
3. Now that we know the points we are aiming for, it never hurts to give the eyebrows a gentle brushing. This helps to identify any longer lashes or strays that get flattened down and would normally be hidden.
4. Prepare for plucking operations !!! We’re getting close now !! Brace for plucking !!! To take the edge of some of the pain, it really helps to massage a drop of face primer into the eyebrow area (not too much, otherwise you wont be able to grip the brow)
5. It’s time to pluck !! Good plucking begins with good tweezers. I personally use these tweezers from Younique. But if they’re not for you, tweezerman tweezers are a really good alternate. The most important attribute for the tweezer is a sharp angled (slant) edge to the tweezers which helps pick the right hair and shear it cleanly. Start at the inside edge of the eyebrow and remove any baby hairs, long stragglers or ones that go against the main “grain” of the brow. Don’t be afraid to stop every now and again and look in the mirror. Not only does it help to gain some perspective, but it also helps with the pain management !!! Once you have done the inside edge, move to the lower arch, then the outside edge and finally the top edge. Easy. Remember, if you aren’t confident “freestyling” it, you can use a brow stencil, which you hold in place with one hand on the face and you tweeze with the other hand.
6. You should be able to leave your face to calm down a little after the plucking (I know, it hurts, but its not forever) and you should be able to leave it for about siz weeks before you need to do it again. Plenty of time to build up the courage !!!
In my earlier article, I explained one of the most important concepts in makeup and styling, the Face Shape and why it is so important for getting your look right. In this article, I’ll be talking about selecting the best eyebrow shape for your face. I(f you’re nervous about using tweezers, or its your first time, you can get some stencils here, which help you get an even shape.) First things first
When we shape our eyebrows, we’re looking for the eyebrow has to complement the eye. Remember, they’re the frame to your eye, which is the main feature. You also can’t work with what isn’t there, so don’t be tempted to overpluck. Your eyebrows know what shape they should be, plucking should complement your natural shape and features. Oval face Shape.
Oval face shape and Soft Arch Eyebrow Shape
Generally, most Makeup Artists and stylists consider the oval face shape to the ideal face shape (Lucky you !!) and most of the eyebrow shapes that we discuss for the other shapes will try to make the face to look more oval in appearance.
Because the oval face is considered to be the ideal, most artists agree that that you only need a soft arch which goes straight up and then gently curves round at the top and down.
Long Face Shape.
Long Face shape and flat eyebrows
With the Long face shape, because its longer than it is wider, we’re looking to create the illusion of width.
We do this by using a flatter eyebrow shape, with a minimal to no arch which tends to draw attention up, away from the face, emphasising the length.
I’m not a huge personal fan of blocking in eyebrows (ie drawing a rectangular shape and colouring in, creating sharp corners at the nose edge. I personally find it a bit artificial and more for cosplay or younger ladies) But, this is one face shape which suits “blocking in” if you want to try it.
Round Face shape.
Round face shape – high arches are for you !!
Thinking about the difference between the round face shape and the oval, you can see that what we want to do is create the illusion of length.
We do this by creating as high an arch as we can within the natural brow shape.
If you’re not using a stencil. Start by creating as high an arch as you can that follows a straight line to the peak of the brow, and creates a more vertical line.
You want some really good lines and angles here, so stay away from a rounded brow shape which will make your face look even more round. Oopsy !!
Square Face Shape.
Square face ? A nice soft arch is your pick
Unlike the round shaped face I’ve just discussed, because it’s more angular, we’re looking to create a softer arch than with the round face shape.
The softer curve will help offset the angles of the lower jaw line. Some makeup artists will also recommend you go for an angle line like for the round face, but I tried this on a client once and we both agreed it wasn’t a good look – it made her face look angular and artificial.
Heart Face Shape.
Heart shaped face – nice soft arch for you !!
With the heart shape, because the hair line dominates the forehead, rather than use a defined or soft arch, we’re looking to create the same shape in our eyebrow line.
My preference is to use a more rounded eyebrow. A low rounded brow creates a natural look, which is soft, feminine and attractive.
Some makeup artists will suggest using a high angular arch for a more dramatic look, but my preference is to go for softer more rounded one, purely because I don’t want to appear dramatic every day !!!
Diamond Face Shape
Soften the Diamond face shape by using a rounded eyebrow
In the unlikely event that you have a diamond shaped face, what we want to do is create the illusion that the face is narrower across the temple line and take away some of the angles of the jawline and forehead.
We do this by shortening the length of our eyebrow slightly (not too much as you will make your eyes look wider apart than they really are). What you are trying to do is to take out any thinned areas at the ear edge of the eyebrow to keep it tight and tidy with the edge of the eye.
To soften the angles of your face, use a soft rounded eyebrow, which will help soften the face and offset the angles.
So, there you have it in a nutshell, the six basic face types and the eyebrows that suit them !! As I said right at the start, if you are unsure of your shaping abilities, the best thing to do is to get some eyebrow stencils, or, if you are feeling more confident, go to a professional eyebrow threader. They’re quick, painless and really effective !!!
You’ve probably read a few blogs on here by now (hopefully !!) and noticed I tend to refer to tones of skin, and face shapes when I talk about makeup, or looks to try, so in this article, I thought I would try to explain the importance of face shape, the different types and how to work out which one you are. Why is face shape important ?
Well, quite simply, the shape of your face strongly influences which hairstyles, glasses, or makeup effects are going to suit you. It also helps makeup artists like myself to explain looks and styles using a common language and also allow you to look and compare yourself to others for looks to try. In particular photos of celebrities at events, which are a great way of seeing which shapes and looks will suit you. In particular hair styles ! What types of face shape are there ?
Generally, you’ll find that makeup artists will refer to one of six shapes when referring to faces.
Oval. The oval face type gracefully tapers from the forehead to the chin. The forehead is wider and often you’ll have more prominent cheekbones and a rounded chin. Celebrities with an oval face shape include Kylie Minogue, Blake Lively and Jessica Alba.
Long. The long face type is similar to the oval face type, but the length from forehead to chin is just a little longer, maybe by a couple of centimetres. The cheekbones won’t be a pronounced with this shape though and sometimes the chin will be a little more pronounced. Celebrities with this face shape include Teri Hatcher, Sarah Jessica-Parker and Mila Jovovich.
Round. No surprises here ! The shape of your face from forehead to chin compared to the width across the cheekbones to your ears is the same, or at least very close ! Celebrities with this face shape include Kirsten Dunst, Kelly Osborne and Drew Barrymore.
Square. In one respect, the square face shape is similar to the round one in that the forehead to chin and width across the cheekbones is pretty much the same. The principle difference is that the jaw line is much more angular and prominent to the chin. Celebrities with this type of face shape include Jennifer Anniston, Sandra Bullock and Natalie Portman.
Heart. With the heart face shape, you’ll notice that the forehead and chin are more prominent. Usually the shape of the forehead is influenced by the hair line, in there will be a peak in the middle of the forehead which divides it into two, like a heart shape ! Celebrities with this type of face shape include Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson and Reece Witherspoon.
Diamond. The diamond face type is more of an unusual one. For this shape the width across the cheekbones or temples is wider than the forehead or chin. You’ll probably also notice that your cheekbones are higher on your face too. The main difference between this face shape and the heart face shape is the hairline at the forehead. You won’t have that peak which divides the forehead in two. Celebrities with Diamond face shapes include Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Greene (Told you it was rarer !!)
How to work out which type you are
Now you know the 6 basic types, you need to work out which one you are ! It really couldn’t be simpler !! You only need two measurements and then three observations………
Measurement one. From the top of your forehead at the hairline to the bottom of your chin, right down the middle. Doesn’t have to be to exact, near enough will do
Measurement two. Straight across the cheekbones, just below the temples. Again, doesn’t have to be too exact.
If measurement one equals measurement two. You’ve got a round or square face. If measurement one is longer, then you have an long, oval, or oblong. If measurement two is longer, you’ve probably got a diamond shape face. Next look at your hair line. Have you got a peak in the middle of your hairline ? You’ve got a heart shaped face. Next look at your jawline. If its angular, you’ve got a square or diamond face. If you have a more pronounced chin, you’ve probably got a oblong or long face. If you don’t see a pronounced jawline, its round
And it’s as easy as that !! If you get pickled, you can always send a photo to us and ask – we’ll be only to pleased to help.
Love and hugs
The first thing I wanted to share with you is that the nomination categories have been announced !!! Check out the poster to see this years categories. Any grab your fancy ? (That’s not as rude as it sounds, I promise !!)
