#63 - Make Up Edit - Karla Cosmetics
Here is yet another post where I fangirl… this time it’s about one of my fav makeup artists - Karla Powell.
I’ve known of Karla’s work since 7 years ago when I saw her work in a magazine (sadly now discontinued). The concepts were fresh and well executed and I’ve since then been a fan and have been nagging my husband to work with her for ages.
And they did, and I did too, as a model for one of her fantastic workshops in London - you truly learn so much and every time I go I learn something new.
Karla is a truly passionate and genuine makeup artist and what gives me more joy is that she’s created her own line of cosmetics that not only, and obviously, she personally uses to create her art, but also accessible and versatile for professional makeup and daily use.
It’s taken me such a long time, I do not know why, but I am now a proud owner of some of Karla’s glitters and the fantastic fix potion!
The large pot is the fix potion and a little really goes a long way - you do not, repeat, do not, need a lot of product for this to work and keep your glitter in place.
I’ve struggled with this product when I first have it and shared it on instgram - basically my product underneath it kept shifting but when Karla used this product on my during her workshops and IG videos, it stayed put. Karla has kindly advised that it’s best used with a fluffy brush and really gently dabbed on to the lid/skin
Tried it next time and it worked like a charm - I may still be a little heavy handed but my application has gotten better.
Ingredients: Aqua (water), Glycerine Veg, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf powder, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
The product consists of mainly water, thickeners/gel formers and aloe vera that helps with skin conditioning. Does not look like it contains silicones as well and this product is also vegan friendly.
I was really looking for adhesive ingredients since I use it as an adhesive for the glitter, but there really isn’t anything in there other than the carbomer which may be the one doing the job. Definitely does not feel like an adhesive, sits well on the skin (cooling sensation from the aloe) and the glitters really do stay put for the whole day.
Removing is easy - normal eye/lip remover with a cotton pad will generally get rid of the makeup in one go.
The fix potion has multitude of uses besides from using it for the glitters. It works well as a lid primer and to brush through the brows to set and get the editorial fluffy brows look, and used as a mixing medium to create your own shades of lips, glitters and other makeup products.
Excuse the inconsistency in the images, took this a while ago, but also want to show a little close up and the bundle that I got.
The glitters are truly beautiful. I bought a bundle of 3: Mermaid fin (my FAV), kraken, dragon scale, and then an individual one which is rose gold (super versatile). Each of these pots come with a little top that you can use to control the glitter spill - I don’t personally use them but they can be really useful on a set or when you are travelling.
I also bought the silicone applicator, which I just dip into the glitter pots to get the glitter out and apply to lids. Have to admit that I’ve not got the hang of applying the glitter yet but I’ve already had a lot of compliments on the results (and then I will proceed to tell everyone about Karla Cosmetics!)
Karla has kindly gifted me a couple bags of glitter which I’ve not tried yet, and an eyelash curler. This is now my everyday eyelash curler - I seem to be able to get tighter curls with it and the curler is a little wider on the top compared to my Shiseido one, which makes the curler fit around my eyes better.
Again, excuse the inconsistency, just wanted to show what the curler is like side by side with my Shiseido one.
SO, I think my love for Karla cosmetics is pretty clear!
Genuinely though, I’ve tried Immensus Cosmetics glitter last year, and because I don’t use it often, the adhesive dries out. The last time I’ve tried to apply it I’ve really struggled, so if you don’t use glitter often, the best way to have these products is really separately (check out my post on Immensues here ; would not repurchase, by the way).
Karla’s glitters are truly stunning and I can’t wait for any excuse to apply the glitter on my lids. I use them for everyday looks and if my makeup skills were good enough, I’d use them for editorial looks too!
Will be creating some looks with these glitter and share on Instagram so keep a look out!
You can get all these on Karla Cosmetics online store here: https://www.karlastore.co.uk/
This post consists of a few gifted products, the rest is purchased myself, opinions are 100% my own!
