Wednesday 29 December 2010

Tones..

I think the biggest problem women (and men) have today with their makeup is choosing the right shade of foundation. I want to break down how the skin is analysed by an artist to make sure we're choosing the right shade for you and how you can better understand whats going on so as to make sure you're rocking the best colour!

So when it comes to foundation matching the main element we look at and assess is your tone. There are three different tone types that you will slot into.

Warm/Pink Tone.
Mostly caucasion people fall into this category- but not all! As a general stereotype if you have light hair, blue eyes and/or have more pink in your skin then you would have pink based skin. If you have dark skin and you throw off more of a red tone, rather than a yellow one, then this is your category.
Example:







 
















Yellow/Cool Tone

Alot of asian, african and south american backgrounds will mean yellow based skin. If you throw off a fair bit of yellow, if your skin can look quite sallow or if there isnt much pink in the skin, youre most likely to have a cool tone.


















Mixed Tone.

Much of the time alot of people have such toruble matching their skin because they have mixed tones for example.. if you have yellow based skin, you may still have a fair bit of warmth to it/a bit of redness in it and if you're pink based a big problem now is that alot of girls fake tan and so this will change the colour of your skin, for the most part to a yellow based colour.

With this tone, I suggest you just play around with some colours. MAC provide you the great opportunity to get foundation matched. Go in, sit down and play around with them. Its their job to discuss what youre after and their professional advice on whats best. But remember- you have to be happy to muck around and just try different tones out...


Hope this helps a little xx

Tuesday 14 December 2010

d o u b l e d e n i m

Heres some shots I did a month or so back with Hannah Newman the stylist and photographer Alexander Jordan. Went for a very very '"barely there" look with makeup.. kinda blocked out. All models had great skin, so wanted that and the clothes to speak for themselves. Face and Body came through with the goods- again!







xx

Saturday 11 December 2010

Jessie J.. doing it better than any dude.



This chick is insane!!! Not only can she record an amazing hit, her freestyle is better than any offical release- as seen from the video above. Jessie has done some serious writing for all big boys of the music scene, she originally wrote this song for Rhianna but chose to release it herself. Thank god!

Justin Timberlake has been quoted at saying this girl is the best singer in the world right now. Ah LOVE HER!

I actually saw her original studio recorded official song and was more blown away with the makeup in the vid. But after hearing this live version Im beginning to like everything there is to know about this girl. Not bad for an Essex lady! Ha!

Here are some of the stills from the vid that blew me away makeup wise...


xx

Thursday 9 December 2010

Nadine Charles shoot

Hi guys,

Sorry for the lack of posts these past few weeks.. work has been manic! So Im slowly getting a filter of work through from some shoots I have done these past few months.

Recently I worked with Juliette Sawyer, an amazing photographer based here in London; who works for the Daily Mail. She was compiling a documentary on singer Nadine Charles and her life story.
Nadine was stunning to work with and very talented, even giving me the pleasure to hear her bluesy rnb tunes.

Here is a few visuals from the shoot...



xx

Sunday 28 November 2010

Dear Santa, instead of the usual lump fo coal....

Can I PPPLLLLLEEEEEAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEE have one very amazing and required Shu Uemura Atelier Makeup Case!!?!!??!!!
ATELIER MAKE-UP BOX - makeup cases
If my sexy, hairy, santa of 3 1/2 years who will soon be joining me in London- incredibly enough only a week before christmas- is a good boy..he'll brings me one in his sack!!
( please dont feel free to insert dirty joke here...)

This case is widely used by many a professional makeup artist. Why? No not cause its a steal at 350 quid.. eek! But because of its insulation (really protects makeup from heat etc) and storage system. A 6 tiered tray case, with really really handy pencil and smaller item storage.

Please Santa!!!!!!! Hope I've been a good girl....

xxx

Fresh.

Here are a couple of photos from a shoot I worked on with Emmie Cosser during the week. Shah from Oxygen Models had a lovely fresh look and looked amazing in great styling and a clean look comprising of a nude eye and a strong red lip, depsite sub zero temps! I changed it up a bit when the stylist wanted more of a edgier look to the clothes, by adding some liner and a stain to the lips.
The red lipstick was Lady Danger.. always a fav!

I kept her hair simple and straight, adding some texture as the clothes got rockier..








xx

Tuesday 23 November 2010

MAC Pink 4 Friday!



Oh my word am I excited about this collaboration! Regardless of the fact that MAC's pink lipstick range is insane, Nicki Minaj the Trinidadian hip-hop artist has worked with MAC to bring out this baby; in time for her own Pink Friday album release!

With a creamy satin finish, this pink has got alot of kick (a little deeper and brighter than MAC's Pink Nouveau). Im every excited to grab one for myself and my kit. only available on Fridays at MAC for the next month- get in kids!!

Nicki says, “MAC’s Pink Nouveau was my favourite lipstick for years, but it’s all about Pink Friday!”


xxx

Sunday 21 November 2010

Basic Brush kit

I know before I really got into my makeup I didnt really get why there was a massive need for
makeup brushes. With each face I create I understand the importance of having the right tools.
Clients always ask what are the most basic amount of brushes that are needed to carry off a look.

No, Im sorry people, those revolting excuses of a face brush you have been using for 3years, for which in that time you have not even thought to wash or replace- just wont cut the cheese!!

Im gonna lay it down straight and easy for you.

1. Buy quality brushes. Yes, they may be expensive, but they wont drop hairs all over your face, nor will they go to hell on you within two uses. Why buy a cheap brush, when you normally have to replace them after a year? Buy a quality brush, look after it and its yours for life!

2. Wash the things!! Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck yuck is all I can say for the vast majority of you. Let me guess- you have never washed your brush/es? Well, imagine each time you use your brush, you are transferring oils, pollutants, germs and dead skin from face to brush. And then each time you use it again, your just moving all those nasties all over your face.

Its SO important that at least once a month you get your brushes, wet them with warm water and lather them up thoroughly! Either with shampoo or dish washing liquid (I use antibacterial fairy liquid..), rinse thoroughly, smooth out the hairs and leave to dry on a flat surface.
Give MAC's Brush Cleaner is brilliant to use in between washes. Particularly for your foundation brush, which will tend to clump and cause the application is be streaky.

3. Use them the way the Makeup Gods intended! Dont press the whole brush down on your face, causing the hairs to splay out and dont think the way to best use them is to press hard.
You should be only putting the product down on the very tips and pressing/sweeping/patting/buffing the hairs on the skin in a way that allows the brushes to do the work. When you sweep a brush on your face, remember that theres a high chance that your just flicking the product out the other end and not putting it where it should go! Press it, pat it, lightly sweep but dont waste!

Ok! So to the magically numbers.. There are a number of makeup houses that produce amazing brushes (Smashbox, Armani, Bobbi Brown) but I work with MAC brushes all day, everyday and know that they have any and every brush you need. And the quality is undeniable.

So...Im not going to recommend a brush if i dont genuinely think you need it. Yes, they will give a better finish, yes its more hygienic and yes it allows you to do more. Dont misinterpret me and think I dont like using my fingers- for certain applications, they work wonders! But the below brushes are crucial!

#187



Genius!! Puts down enough product to do the job, but doesnt require lots to give you good coverage. Really lovely airbrushed look for both foundations and powders (liquids, creams and powders). Bring the very tips of the white fibres down on the product at an angle similar to the pic. Buff product onto the skin!

#129



Great powder brush! Big enough to put it on down, but not too big that it doesnt allow you to get in and around the nose etc. And yes! as the pic suggests, you can use it as a blush brush (if youre on a massive budget..)

#168



Great blush brush, with fluffy natural fibres. Gets right under the cheeks, to sculpt them out as well as for the apples of the cheeks!

#217



As previously raved about- LOVE IT!! Great alrounder for the eyes.. Use the flat of the brush to put down heaps, or angle the tip to get a really precise app in the socket. Also- can it be known, yes other artists would recommend an actual concealer brush but uhuh not me. This puppy is wonderful at putting down a lovely amount without caking on the product.

#266



Im so obsessed with Fluidline gel liner for the eyes, this brush does it so well. great for those starting out as it has great control. Also a good brush to apply colour onto the brows..

So there you have it kids!

Yes there are others i highly recommend but Ill give them to you in drips and drabs. These are the brushes you should have- essential in fact!

xx

I effing LOVE this Lady!!

Could she inspire and captivate me any more....! Pat Mcgrath's magic is usually spun when theatrics are involved. Through textures, textiles and talent, this woman has created some if the most insane looks for anyone worth noting.

This visual from Galliano's Paris S/S 11 show is classically French and classically Mcgrath.

#sigh#.....


Off to research....

x

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Sigur Ros


This music takes my breath away. Makes me weepy infact.
I cant get enough of the album. Please indulge xx

Yves Saint Laurent

I love this man. The more I understand fashion and the more I absorb it, the more I draw on YSL's story as inspiration. Sadly passing away in 2008, he left behind a fashion house with many successful branch companies.


This Algerian born, French designer didnt become Dior's successor at age 21 for nothing. His sketches BLOW MY MIND. The fact that YSL came from nothing, had some terrible career lows to rise and become one of historys most respected and admired designers, says a great deal about him.




I had the privledge whilst in Paris a couple of months ago to see his exhibit. Beautifully presented at the Petit Palais Museum by YSL's life partner Pierre Burge; I found the exhibit simply breathtaking. Ben, my lovely boyfriend also found it really interesting.. a great mix up of art and fashion. The biggest impact was through his Evening gowns and my favourite- his stunningly silouhetted black masculine suits, for which he's famous for. Perfectly described by Berge,

"Chanel liberated women, but Yves Saint Laurent empowered them."

And his amazingly strong shouldered streamline suits do just that. I also found the
 photo series by Jeanloup Sief incredible. Find one of the more published shots at the beginning of this post!

 

I also managed to sneak an illegal pic of the YSL's Andy Warhol...love it!


xx

Sunday 7 November 2010

The light and shade...

One trick of the trade that every makeup artist uses and sometimes you do as well (sometimes without thinking!) is contouring.

Whether its to slim down a rounder face, chisel out the cheekbones, narrow and shape a nose or change the demensions of a face, contouring is a really important step when doing your makeup. Below are some examples of contouring- from the extremes to everyday wear..


                                                           Vivienne Westwoood RTW
Kim Kardashian

Preen NYFW SS 2011


To ensure your contouring your face shape correctly .. analyse your face first! Stand in front of the mirror and assess your angles. Have you got a round, square, oval or heart shape? Have you round cheeks or a long jawline? Have you a wide forehead or a wider jaw, in comparison to the rest of your face?

Like I have mentioned before, when you put a darker colour on your face it takes back that area. When you put a lighter or highlighting colour on, it will illuminate it and bring it forward. So use this theory when applying your bronzer.

To lean out your face take your bronzer or darker powder and sculpt out your cheekbones by shaping the colour from the top of your ear down towards the corner of your mouth. By pressing the brush into this area you can feel where your cheekbones are. Dont but this darker colour on the cheekbone.
If you have a wide forehead, narrow it by applying the bronzer to your temples. If you have a high forehead, brush the colour along hairline (notice the first two images above has been done this way).

For someone who wants to slim down and define their nose brush the bronzer from the underside of your eyebrow at the top of your nose and shade down the side of your nose, rounding the brush around the underside of the tip of your nose. Any part you find protrudes more, shade the colour in that area further.
For those like me who wants to define their jaw more, shade under the jawline.

And now to highlighting! Highlight areas include.. Highest point of your cheeks (imagine an C from outside point of the end of your eyebrow down to underneath the eye on the cheekbone. Put highlight down the bridge of your nose, in the corner of your eye, on your cupids bow (centre section on the top of your lip) and depending on your eyeshape, underneath your eybrow.

BEST MAC PRODUCTS TO USE:

Bronzers:
Refined Golden
Mineralised Skin Finish in Medium Dark (or 1-2 shades darker then your normal shade)

Blush:
Tenderling
Coppertone
Cubic

Highlighters: 
Vanilla Pigment (so so versatile..)
Soft and Gentle Mineral Highlighter
Gold Deposit (Dark skins)
Shell Cream Base

If you have dark skin and find it almost impossible to find a bronzer to help contour, depending on your shade, try a mineralised skin finish, Deeper Refined bronzer. And if your skin is very dark; try Carbon or Embark eyshadow!
Hope you find this works for you, because trust! Its an amazing tool to use in your makeup routine (and once used to it, takes virtually no time..)

Love xx

Thursday 4 November 2010

Not a Romantic Mixed Tape


She bet me to the shoutout!
My good old dear friend Jemma Michelle; whom I once had many a laugh with in high school, has been of late, a true inspiration.

This chick knows style.. dont you worry about Alexa or Chloe. This girl has it down.

She made sense the day she started up her blog 'Not a Romantic Mixed Tape'. A blog where she inspires others with some lovely fashion pieces, art and music; Jem understands how fashion works and does so, in a way, that leaves others behind. With her facinating eye for fashion and strong key pieces written beautifully and subtly (which comes from her strong writing/creative background), this blog is one I find myself clicking onto regularly.


Enjoy xx

Artist Tip!

Ok, so like I mentioned in my first blog, the reason I wanted to start this page was due to the lack of information I failed to find when I was getting into my makeup all on one site. Also, I hated that I could never find any tips from other artists, about what they like, products they used etc, unless it was on a companys website. I love them, but I wanted to hear the real deal. What they really use and why..

So I've asked a few of my fellow Mac Dolls to collaborate with me once a week to give you guys an insight into their fav products, some of their tips and tricks and some key looks that tickle their fancy..

So this week, Ive asked Gemma W, an artist who I work with for any tips she has for y'all...

The lovely Gem said her top 5 MAC products were:

1. #217 brush
2. Smolder Eye khol
3. #44 Lashes
4. Strobe Cream
5. Lip Primer

On my constant quest to drag as much info out of the other artists daily, a question I always shoot at them is.. If you forgot your brush kit to a job and could only have 1 brush to do the entire look, what would it be.. Most have said the #217. And too right. Its amazing!!


So! Back onto the lovely Gem and her tips and tricks!

I asked her what her fav foundation was and she said she loves Studio Fix Fluid. She loves to mix it with her Strobe Cream to give the skin a glowing look- though the foundation mattifies* it. Thus making the skin look healthy, but removing shine and creating a flawless finish that lasts all day!

Sometimes when we use a mattifying foundation on clients, it can look quite flat. Gems trick to add the strobe cream either under as a moisturiser, or mix it with the foundation will still enable the Studio Fix to mattify; but it wont dry the skin out or make it look one dimensional..

Hope you enjoyed Gem's tips.. Thanks sweetheart x

*mattifying means to remove shine, highlight or gloss. Great for skin thats oily or throws off shine as skin wears throughout the day.

Another artist tip next week!

Love xx

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Channelling Chanel

Chanel Spring/Summer 2011

Tomorrows look on counter... beautiful.
x

My first English winter..

Unprepared, as usual, Im becoming frightened. I have yet to experience an English winter and by all advice- I should be very very scared. Already, as Autumn ends its getting dark by 5pm and rarely the sun is out for longer than an hour or two. Nievely Australian, I walk outside to the shops in flip flops and a top with a flimsy scarf  to sheild me from what I believe, is a chilly air. I then step outside...WHAM!

Oh dear lord...

I am now beginning to get it. These crazy kids over here dont wear Ugg boots to work for no reason. Its cold god dammit. So happy am I to know that Uggs can be replaced in the workplace by a far more fashionable weather protectors. Lamb Shearling in a fashionable adaptation. Whether it comes in the form of an aviator jacket or shearling lined boots.. the availability of warmer clothes and shoes are finally in stores.

Not that I could afford any of the collection, but Burberry's inspires me daily. And thank god High St stores have caught on and have a plethora of Burberry inspired pieces. So, though I should have purchased these items months ago, off I trundle to get me hooked up.

Post Script: I heart Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. So much.


xx

I was terrible at drawing inside the lines..

Even though we see coming out of fashion weeks for Spring/Summer 2011 bright, block colours- a look  that I constantly see popping up and am inspired by is the 'goth' lip.

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2011 Beauty Trend: YSL

Yves Saint Laurent spring/summer 2011

Interpreted in all matter of ways- you can go strong or you could go soft; you can go matte or you can go glossy; you could go lined or you could go soft edged. In any way- a dark gothy lip asks many things of us- one being: can you pull off this sexy number?

MAC recommendations are:

- Diva (a beautiful deep burgandy colour)
- Rebel (mixing the brighter trend with the goth..)
- Cyber (amazingly dark)
- Dark Deeds from the Venomous Villans collection
- Any of the reds mentioned in my previous post on red lips

To matte them down further, use MACs mattifying gel and pat over lip after lipsticks applied or to gloss them up, use MACs clear lip gloss.

                         

















Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2011. Photographed by James Cochrane

xx

Monday 1 November 2010

Flick it, wing it, line it.



Giambattista Valli Ready-To-Wear Autumn/Winter 2010-11

One of the few things im petrified of in this world is walking outside without eyeliner. I walk the streets of Melbourne and London constantly wishing this person and that would just chuck a bit of liner on. I mean I dont necessarily believe that you need chunks of the stuff on, just a sublte soft smudged line is ok. If you have some balls though, go for gold. Your eye is your oyster- line the thing!

From a simple lined edge with a khol (MAC Smolder is amazing..), which can be smudged and feathered out for a soft, rocky edge; to a strong winged eye using a gel (MACs Blacktrack fluidline with the 210 or 266 brush..) you can literally create anything!

I know some look at their pencil and think one of two things:

1. When i use it, i look like ive been punched in the face.
2. I wont use it, cos where the hell do i apply it!

Well, here i am! Im gonna tell you.

Almond eyes: look, we all wish we had this eye. and if u have it- we hate you. you can wing that eye out, smudge it and rock it and itll look incredible. Do anything- I dare you!

Round eyes: you want to elongate the eye and draw it out.. rather than making it look like a big round circle when lined. Start the liner on the top, 1/3 in, where the lashes start, in a thin line, and as you reach the outter edge go thicker. Underneath- only smudge the khol softly into the last 1/3.

Small eyes: use very little kids! the whole idea of putting something dark on your face is to take it back. And when you put something light on it, itll bring it forward (eg. thats why you look skinnier in black and with a tan.. and your cheek bones look lovely with some highlighter on them). Get a small brush, such as MAC's #228 brush, brush it over the end of your khol, and then use the brush to deposit the colour between your outter bottom lashes. Then using the same brush, get a warmer eyeshadow and blend that over the top..

Heavy lid or browbone: Thin top liner (using a hard wearing product, as not to allow the heavy lid to transfer product to the top of your eye) and flick it slightly towards the outer edge. Only a small flick though!

If your not too sure where to place your flick and how long to do it.. open your eye before applying. Analyse how your lashes flick on the outside egde. Pick a spot where the lash would end and place your brush or pencil and draw back down to the line you have created. The whole effect should look like the liner is a continuation of your eyelashes..

At the end of the day, its just a matter of practice!

For those wanting a bit more of a challenging look on the eye, and keeping up with eye trends now- be edgy with it. Above at Giambatista Valli's show, the liner is very bat-winged-esk and two toned. Awesome.

Other shows for A/W 2010 that had amazing lined eyes were Nathen Jenden (also keeping in trend of contrasts), Zac Posen, Threeasfour and Jeremy Scott (my fav.)

Be inspired! x

Bat For Lashes - Daniel



Great tune and really cool vid.

Thursday 14 October 2010

Hair today..gone tomorrow..

For the next few seasons in fashion: clothing, hair and makeup; its all about texture and contrast.. this post I want to focus on hair because...

Whilst strolling around Soho last week on a warm, sunny day I had an epiphany! Its time to lose the summer blonde and go back to dark, with a fringe for winter. So after finding an awesome salon in the backstreets I sat and had wonderfully long chats with the hairdresser..who happened to work extensively on LWF the week previous. He told me that looking forward we will be seeing contrasting hair. With one side of the head slicked back and the other side teased and frizzed. Hair flattened and slick at the crown, with an extremely straight centre side parts; with the hair down, with rough texured waves. Roughed up plaits, teased forward buns..

The shows for Spring/Summer 2011 that the hair designs really impressed me at were Kenzo, Sass & Bide, Dior, Prada and always the one to blow my mind..Giles.

Alexander Wang's A/W 2010 show represented this trend perfectly..



Ive been testing some out at work and having lots of fun with it...
x

Band Of Horses - Factory

On a cold, foggy London morning, I sit here with my toast, tea and tunes. This suits my mood perfectly.

Lovely Lara


One of the outtakes from "Lara Stone Noire Fiction", photographed by Steven Klein in the February issue of Paris Vogue.

I love this girl. Known for being perfectly imperfect. Tall girl, small feet, curves and gappy teeth. Bless.

Its all about the RED lip....

" Couture. Seductive. Rockabilly Chic. Gothic. Lady. Red has so many personalities." -Terry Barber.

Always a classic and its been reworked! Red lips have been seen in the past few seasons.. but be warned- they arent going anywhere! Whether you want a light stained lip, a soft glossy lip, a bright bold lip, or a dark seductive one; there is a red for you!

BEST RECOMMENDATIONS (from the MAC range)-

Ruby Woo - The crazy, bright red; with an extreme matte finish. Those who dare, win. Dita Von Teese's fav. *use with Redd Lip Liner


Lady Bug- for those who are new to bold lips, and want to dip their toe before they dive in.. a soft, sheen finish. *use with Cherry Lip Liner (very lightly..)

M.A.C Red- If you want a red- thats a true red and has a lovely creamy texture?? This lipstick needs to be in everyones makeup bag. Im falling madly in love... * use with Cherry Lip liner



Russian Red- My go to. Lovely deep blue red and really sexy on brunettes!! Great texture, not glossy but not too matte. And the lipstick Gwen Stefani wont be seen dead without, no less. *use with Brick Lip Liner

Lady Danger- I cant talk about this colour enough.. A beautiful fun orange red, seen extensively on catwalks and on the fashion scene. Suits all skin and hair types. *only available at Mac Pro Store locations. *use with Redd Lip Liner


So after choosing the colour you love, remember! There is no point wearing a bold lip without insuring it will last and look strong. It is a look in itself dont forget.. So prime with Prep and Prime Lip, to ensure it will stay, condition and fill in those little lines around the lip line to prevent bleeding AND most importantly line, line, line. Lip Liner is what gives the lip shape!

And if red still isnt working for you, and you want to go for an even edgier look.. i will be posting about gothier, darker lips as soon as I can.

Love xx

Thursday 7 October 2010

Top ten fav makeup products..

I searched high and low on the net and when talking to other artists, finding out what their favourite products are and why... I know it was important for me, to get their advice and feedback. Thought Id make it easier on you guys and throw out a few I thought you could fall in love with!

Heres a few of my top favourite products that I use personally and professionally:

1. Mac Face and Body Foundation: an amazingly versatile product that i have both in my makeup bag and kit. A beautiful dewy finish, that has a buildable coverage. So great for a lovely light day look and then add a bit more for flawless, fuller coverage for a night out. note: dont be scared by the runny consistency, as its water based its highly fluid. Once on the skin though it will become tacky and blend really well.

2. Lancome Hypnose Mascara: a great all round mascara that can build great volume on fine, short lashes. For people with longer lashes it will give great definition, without the glugginess.

3. Mac Studio Finish Concealer: this little baby may look all small and tidy in its little pot- but dont expect it to run out in a hurry! Its thick, creamy consistency means for flawless coverage; but a product that suits most. Best suited for an oilier skin; but can be used on everyone. Covers everything!

4. Paw Paw Cream: a cheap aussie lipbalm made of the fruit.. you guessed it- paw paw. For £5, expect the tube to last ages, keep the lip in great condition and not taste weird, regardless of its medicinal benefits.

5. Mac Paintpots:  Ever see an amazing eyeshadow you like, take it home and out it on and find that it either looks washed out and the pigment doesnt picknt up? Or do you wear it for 20 minutes and it begins to creep into your creases? The paintpots are fantastic at matting the lid (removing all excess oil), smoothing the texture of the lid, intensifying the depth of the pigment and extending the duration of wear of your eye makeup. At the end of the day- i have yet to find anything that works so well under makeup. I cannot wear a colour on my lids without one down!

6. Mac Mineralized Skin Face Natural: When wearing liquid or cream foundations our skin is crying for one thing- powder!! Regardless if you're an oilslick or someone who has dry skin, that gets a bit sweaty once in a while.. powder is so crucial to reduce the shine our face produces, to press and set the liquid foundation and concealer on the face and to soften the look of your makeup. The mineralised powder doesnt cake the skin with product, giving it that fluffy look, most other powders seem to to give. Definately a winner..

7. Smashbox Photo Finish Primers: Oh.My.God. Without a word of a lie, these primers are sensational. With 5 in the range, there is a type to suit you. Original for all skin, Light for oily skins, Green Corrector for red skins, Lavender Corrector for yellow/sallow/dull skin and Anti-Aging with SPF for older skin. All silicon based these puppies are phenomenal at filling in fine lines and pores, smoothing the skins texture and "sticking" the foundation, so as not to slip or wear away. Love love this stuff...

8. Mac Fix+ Spray: If I could drink this stuff, I would. And by the gallon. This face spray is jammed packed full of good stuff for the skin, with caffeine to calm and botanical extracts to condition, the reason I spray this before, during and after my makeup application. Not only do I find my skin calms, relaxes and refreshes after spraying but it also does an amazing job of setting the makeup by pressing it into the skin, but also making sure it lasts throughout the day.

9. Mac Lady Danger lipstick: One lipstick thats a big fav amoungst other artists, and used widely in shows, this lipstick is a very orange firery red. Love it. Gives impact, conditiona and wear. Wear it with a lip liner though please.. no point in having a impact lip, without shape and definition!

10. 217 Mac brush: If I could have only one brush to do an entire makeup application with, this baby, would be it. Such an amazing brush to blend and buff concealer onto the face and ultra brilliant at giving a flawlessly blended lid for eyeshadow. Check it.

Hope you enjoy.. Ive done many a years research finding, trialing and loving these guys. Hope you do to.

X

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Nail Trends Baby!

                                                             Photo: All Lacquered Up

Nail Art is something I am totally obsessed with and there in nothing better than stewing over the seasons new trends in what our fingers should be wearing!

Though last seasons trends of the nudes are still around, with many designers choosing to keep the shades around for this season (Marc by Marc, Catherine Malandrino, and Thakoon); we are definately seeing a more geometric look to nails coming through. Ruffian had some awesome art- kinda like a reverse french manicure with a twist!

Fresh.

Nothing better to get the drinks-a-flowin with a tune from the man himself Mr.Mark Ronson. This crazy dude has produced some of the finest music to enter our ears these past few years. He is the man behind Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera, Kanye and Amy WInehouse (Back to Black; not Back to Crack..oo ho ho ho).

Though previously releasing a record of all his hit collaborations, he has just released his own record (amazing guitarist!); Mark Ronson and Business Intl with 'Record Collection'. Some fun tracks.. One of my favs below!

Mark Ronson and Business Intl- Bang Bang Bang

Oh and on the style side of things- Mark is one funky monkey that has lots of it. With a really cool 1960/Beatles feel to his wardrobe; he has recently worked with Gucci to bring out his own range of high tops..no stopping the man.

X

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Ship Shape.

Photo: Corbra Snake

At the moment Im particularly intrigued by the technique of changing the shape and features of the face through makeup. Whether it be colour correction, contouring or eye make up.

At Jeremy Scotts S/S 2011 NYFW show he collaborated with Key Makeup Artist- the ammaazzzzinngg Val Garland; who developed a sexy Marilyn Munroe meets Debbie Harry look. What I particularly liked was how Val changed the shape of the eye by erasing the models own eyebrows, pushing the crease up further- creating a visually larger eye. Love it!

'New Boundaries' video shoot

On the weekend, I lent my services to the 'New Boundaries' and 'Crazy' music video for the artists Sir Apollo and Ayo.

Was a massive 14hr day, pushing out the looks for the 5 main artists and 20+ extras. Lots of fun with a mix up of a rooftop shoot, warehouse band scene and a really cool 'concert' setup; all in this amazing abandoned warehouse in North London, which was once the building which Winston Churchill conducted his operations for WW2. Pretty cool....

The looks created for the boy band members was a simple chiselled look using Mac's Face and Body Foundation, Studio Finish Concealer, Blot Powder, 'Tenderling' Blush and Clear Gloss. The girls had a funky "ghetto" edge, with bright bold lips in Mac lipsticks 'Girl About Town', 'Impassioned' (fav!), 'Pink Burst', 'Russian Red' and the new Prolong Lipsticks in 'Good To Go' and 'Extended Play'. I mixed the strong lips in with nude eyes, winged eyes and bright metallic eyes. All together the girls looked amazing!

Im looking forward to working with these artists in the next couple of weeks on various other videos.

Monday 27 September 2010

New adventures..

A year ago things flipped for me. Though at the time they wernt all positive; like at all other times in my life- if something negative happens, i must find the positive. And I did. I made the bold decision to leave my career in animal health in Melbourne, Australia;  my amazing boyfriend of 3 years (he'll join me soon- i hope!), my dog, my friends and family and an amazing home and off I flew to London.

I came to London with one dream. To make a successful career as a makeup artist. And since I have arrived that dream is on its way to become a reality. Now working fulltime for one of the industries most recognised, successful and leading brands; I am one step closer!

I have developed this blog as a creative outlet for me to post my experiences in and about London. Whether it be about makeup trends, new and favourite products, art, music, fashion and anything else I stumble upon- I am hoping that what I post will inspire others to create and explore.

I hope you will visit again and enjoy!

Hilary x