AOFM

Early 2011, I made the decision to take the plunge and go for a drastic career change. The question was what do i LOVE the most...MAKEUP!!

I decided to buy a makeup book, get to reading, teach myself some new skills and swot up a bit.....I figured at least that way I'd have some background knowledge and a slight head start when i finally enrolled on a makeup course.

The magical book to get me on my way was....'Makeup is Art' by Jana Ririnui and Lan Nguyen.

Reading through the authors introduction, it was mentioned that Jana Ririuni was also the founder of AOFM- Academy of freelance Makeup!!! Hmmm, interesting i thought.....So i did what anyone would do for more info...I Googled!

http://www.aofmakeup.com/

It turns out that the Academy of Freelance Makeup was based in Soho London, only an hours train journey from my house! The academy offered a whole range of different courses, some full time & some part time.

The Academy seemed to be very well connected with exclusive support of amazing brands such as Mac pro, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura and Inglot, to name a few.

The Academy's amazing AOFM Pro team also head top events such as London, New York & Paris 'Fashion Week' as well as Britian and Ireland's Next Top Model. There is also the opportunity for graduates to assist the Pro Team at these events, Brilliant!!

The course i chose was the Professional Hair & Makeup Certificate. This was an intensive 3 week course which covered:

Skin Preparation

Foundation selection and application

Corrective & Camouflage techniques

Sculpting & Shading

Powders & Bronzers

Eye shadows, creams/ powders, eye liners, mascara

Bridal Makeup

Photographic Makeup

Editorial

Catwalk & Fashion

Music Video

Natural Beauty

Period Makeup from 20's through to 80's

Mature Makeup

Ethnic Makeup

The list goes on, as i said VERY intensive course!

Every day we covered a different topic with a different tutor, i must say that all of the tutors are working freelance makeup artists who are all very much at the top of their game with amazing portfolios.

The daily routine consisted of the tutor doing an introduction and demonstration in the morning. We were allowed time to ask lots of questions, make notes and take lots of photos.

After an hours lunch break, we had to get into pairs (a different partner each day to get used to different face shapes/ skin tones etc) and recreate the mornings demo on each other.

One of my Bridal Makeup Looks...

A more 'Avant Garde' look...

On the 3rd week of the course we were taught the basics of hair styling, now this was something that i wasn't overly bothered about seeing that all i wanted to do was makeup. However, the tips and tricks we learnt were extremely useful and meant that with a little practise we would be able to 'get by' on a photo shoot without necessarily needing a hair stylist.

One of the hair tutors demos...

At the end of the three weeks we all had the chance to take part in our own photo shoots. One Beauty look and One Editorial look.

We used Professional Models, Photographers, Stylists and Hair Stylists. The photographs from the shoots would then become the first images for our own precious portfolios!!

These are two of the pictures from my own shoots....

My Beauty Look,

My Editorial Look,

It is now three months since i graduated and i must say, i haven't looked back. I had the time of my life! I've made some great friends and learnt more than i ever expected. Ive already attended two post graduation Masterclasses arranged by the Academy, one with Mac and one with  Dior and the Beauty Editor of Marie Claire Magazine!

I'm Fresh Faced and Raring to go, armed with my Makeup brushes and Mascara!! Watch this space!

I'd like to say a quick Thank you to my lovely Auntie Penny for mentioning me on her own blog,

http://pennyshenhouse.blogspot.com/

Thank you also, to those who have left me my first comments!! how exciting! thanks for the support.

xxx