Freelance!

Had the absolute pleasure in doing Miss Ailie's makeup for her wedding day for herself and her stunning bridal party. Clearly, she only hangs out with models... ;)

Products used for the day for Ailie were:
Face & Body Foundation
Moisture Cover concealer
Mineralise powder
Peaches blush
Eyeshadows: Tete a Tint, Texture, Embark and Naked pigment (also used for facial highlight)
Fluidline Blacktrack
False Lash mascara
Fling brow pencil
And shygirl on the lips.

The bridesmaids used the same products, but I adjusted the style according to their own and the features.

Face & Body Foundation and some Sculpt.
Moisture Cover concealer
Careblend powder
Blushbaby blush
Eyeshadows: Vanilla, Naked Lunch, Haux, Emabrk
Blacktrack
Opulash mascara
Syrup lipstick
Naked pigment as highlight
Spiked, lingering and fling brow pencils.

X

MBFWA- Australian Fashion Week

WOW so, WOW. How cool is Australia, right?! Now that Ive been working at the PRO store Ive been lucky enough to be surrounded by some of Australias best makeup artists.. and those that were selected to be apart of MACs Fashion Week Team. Sadly, I wasnt on it this year but Im so proud of the kids that are.. cos they are doing some amazing stuff!!

With MAC doing the makeup for more than half the shows its great to see some really lovely makeup coming out. And lots of it is definately proving to the rest of the world- oz has def got its own style and vibe; whilst still holding their own against the heavy weights.

First show up was ROMANCE WAS BORN and Pauly B and Keira were amazing!! The look was all centered around Marvel Comics involvement with the brand- with their much more wearable collection complimented with flaming neon orange hair and structurely comic-y makeup.
 Key Artist Natasha Severino described the makeup as  "superhero and otherworldly with a sexy modernist twist," .



The team used Fix + Spray and Strobe Cream to prep the skin, Face & Body Foundation teamed with Studio Finish Concealer as the base, with Careblend powder (my fav!) and Prep & Prime Transparent Powder to set. On the eye was simply Cyan Blue Chromographic Pencil and on the lips was a mix of Red & Crimson Lipmix!

Brows were kept clean and brushed up. Pretty much, on trend with the 'Neon' element with very clean and uncompromised skin.

Amazing hey?

At MANNING CARTELL, Key Artist and Lara Bingle's number one man Max May won over the MAC team with his chilled, friendly approach. The makeup is inspired by Frida Kahlo and hot mexican summers. The models channeled the "wet-looking" skin thats trending at the moment with soft washes of colour all over the eye, withe the only structure coming through the brow..



The MAC products used were Face & Body foundation with no cheek colour, just the Gloss Texture Creme as a highlight. On the eyes was the new Extra Dimension eyeshadows we have out at the moment, in Havana, a pigment pearly highlight in the eye corner and a bit more of the gloss creme.
The lip were knocked of the colour, with the Lip erase balm applied all over to put emphasis on the eyes and brows.

BY JOHNNY had the mac kids raving! Cool edgy makeup teamed with Amber D's awesome keying- the makeup looked brilliant. A really boyish yet non-androgynous biker eye complimented the glowy, clean skin! Cream Colour Base's were the product of the hour- heavily used on the face and eye.



MAC Products Used are Face & Body foundation, Cream Colour Base in Antique Gold on the eyes, played with Steamy eyeshadow. Another highlight was used in the eyes corner and a soft brushed up brow using Clear Gel.

Ill post some more info on other shows over the next few days!

x

Eye Creams

Why hello! Man, Im so sorry for being a little creep, hiding in the corner.. guess theres been so much more going on in oz than I had planned and with all the settling in.. I just have been raped of all drive for my fav thing in the world and thats this blog!!

So apologies for the halt in production, so to speak.. but after all thats going on with me- Ive been moved to the MAC PRO store on Chapel St which is really rad and then we have moved into our own digs FINALLY so thats been a mission setting up all our stuff again! On top of all that, freelance has been going gang busters! Having lots of fun with many a pretty bride, fiancee and lady with their special day..

With PRO Ive been lucky enough to do my first Logies makeup and my first Miss World contestant.. Ill put some photos up as soon as they come to me!

But! With all this fuss, the reason Im back on is because y'all have been on my back about eye creams!! SOOOO many of my clients ask about them.. is it necessary? are they worth the money? which one does what? what do I need to do with it? So I thought.. let me get onto it and blog about it!!

Its one massive thing Ive noticed since coming back to oz.. how textured the aussie lass' eye area is. Everyones great with getting on down with face creams, cleansers and serums but not so much the eye creams. And I have to say- this is the one area women should be focusing on the most! You have to remember that the skin in and around the eye is exceptionally delicate.. and with the skin being so thin, fine and soft it has a much different way of acting then the rest of our skin.

With all the sun and all the laughs we have in our life, the expressions we show on our face everyday eventually have a "scarring" effect on the skin (we know these as god damn wrinkles..). So everytime we squint, scowl, laugh or cry.. our skin in a microscopic way is getting a flogging...

So lets talk about the different problems women have with their eyes....

DARK CIRCLES

A massively big problem for most women with yellow based skin is the purple/blue tones under the eye. A really big problem for asians in particular. I have talked in previous posts about how to colour correct these but in this post its how we can combat the issue!!

With those with pink based skin you will find you get redder, more violet tones around the eyes. Whenever these tones are present it will make you look tired and run down- trust me-it happens to all! And when we look tired, it dont help you feel any more awake ;)

Dark circles and redness around the eye are cause by a number of factors- lack of sleep, poor nutritional habits, aging and skin pigmentation. For non-eyecream help the best advice I have is to place a cold compress on the eye like a cold cloth or a pack of frozen vegies.. or for a more "beauty treatment" feel- cold cucumber slices. Anything cold will constrict the blood vessels that have risen to the skin surface and make them less visible (thus removing redness!). Also use sunscreen around the eye to stop the sun increasing the shade of the pigmentation.

Best eye creams for dark cirles are:

CHEAP- Olay Eye regenerating cream (has niacinamide to help reduce discolouration) $25
REASONABLE- Estee Lauder Idealist illuminator $100
SPLURGE- Creme de la mer Eye Balm Intense $270

PUFFINESS

 

Puffiness is your bodys way of telling you that it cares kids- so dont punish it by hating it- just work out how to tell it that your ok! Your eyes become puffy when the skin feels its under attack (from lack of sleep etc) so fluid then fills the space to "protect" the eye. Your friends in combating this issue, is the good old trusty cold compress- again. But also CAFFEINE!!

 

Caffeine helps constrict the bloody vessels and telling them to chill the hell out!!

 

Best eye creams for puffiness:

 

CHEAP- Garnier Ultra Lift Anti Wrinkle Cream $15

REASONABLE- MAC's Fast Response Eye Cream $55

SPLURGE- Creme de la Mer The Eye Concentrate $350

 

WRINKLES & SAGGING SKIN

 

Oh, come on! Youre definately not the only one! Wrinkles are something we all have to watch kids. Its just gonna happen.. But, it can be slowed down- and that means sunscreen, suncreen, sunscreen!!

We need to keep the hydration and collagen levels in our skin up, so that when we squint or show expression the skin has the capacity to handle such movement!

 

Collagen is SO important for our skin and our bodies! Its the protein that serves a key structural component of connective tissue; the mesh that holds us together and the more collagen the more strength and resilience your skin has!!

 

CHEAP- Liquid Vitamin C (avail at health stores) and suncreen!! $20

REASONABLE- Nutrogena Anti Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Eye Cream $32

SPLURGE- Lancome Paris Renergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E. $135

 

 

Added notes... Those with dry skin.. get as much hydration into the skin as you can and go for the topical liquid vitamins on the eye! Vitamin C, E and A!

 

Phew!!

 

Well I hope this is the kind of information you were after ;)

 

YAY! heres to more and more posts from me.

 

Love you all xx

 

 

FACE & BODY

In a world of beauty products, piled high from counter to counter, no decision is easy. And I relate the task of hunting for a new foundation like going jeans shopping- post a 4kg gain... head spinningly confusing and nothing seems to fit.

But lucky me, I have had to learn  what are the questions you should ask, but more importantly what questions the ARTIST should ask. Here are some below...

1. What type of skin have you got? (dry, oily, dry-normal, oily-normal, dry-oily tzone)
2. How would you like the foundation to look? (dewy, matte or inbetween)
3. What kind of coverage are you after? (full, medium, sheer)
4. What are you currently using and what do you want to change about how it acts?

These questions will mean when you come to the decision of what foundation to choose, you know you have chosen one that fits you. Too many times do I see clients coming in confidently saying "My friend uses Studio Fix Fluid and she looks amazing. I want it!" Well, Im sorry to burst the bubble in which you had hoped that upon application, you too shall look like your model-looking, perfect skinned girlfriend.. but it doesnt work that way!

You may have completely different skin to your friend and so what looks good on her- not so much on you, unfortunately! She may answer the above questions very differently remember.

But! The purpose of this post was to RAVE about one particular foundation, which could solve your confused state of mind and knock out all the above questions... leading you to ask only this-
 "What shade of MAC's Face & Body foundation am I?"

Face & Body is the staple foundation in my kit. I use it on all skins, for all different effects, all different events and for all different ages. It doesnt complain (go cakey or make pores more visible), it's buildable, looks AMAZING on everyone and can give you a dewy effect or with a sweep of powder post application- can be turned matte.

So, next time you march forth to find your new saving grace, the product that hides your Monday-itis or covers your stressed out chin (you know the ones girls- hormonal pimples..ugh.) makes sure you set your sights for a MAC PRO store and beeline towards Face and Body. You'll love me, but maybe your hot friend wont. Now that she'll be wanting the skin your in.



X

Tumblr love...

Just a few images to get be excited for my week at work...
















X

Today at work...

Was an interesting day! Having been lucky enough to be apart of our new counter fit out.. now having a counter the same size as Selfridges on Oxford St (largest MAC in the world); we have a makeup studio with 8 stations in which to play makeup with the clients!

My favourite days at work are when Im allocated to be on the studio and so all I have to do is apply amazing makeup looks on those that have booked in and have somewhere special to go! Today I had a number of clients and with all, there seemed to be a common requirement- undereye brightener!

#Fact.. Did you know that the most widely used product backstage at the fashion shows is YSL Touche Eclat? Even when MAC is the brand who provide the makeup teams, product and looks the key artists demand its use.

Like many things in life there is a company/brand/product that is a monopoly.. GHD's, Apple etc etc etc.
And until very recently there has been no product in the market to rival Touche Eclat. Until recently released their Prep & Prime Highlighters... and at half the price with the same effect/result Im so happy they have made my kit all that little bit cheaper to stock! (£17)





Today I used the Bright Forecast for a slightly darker Asian skintone to remove the dark violet toned undereye circles, as so many are prone to; on a lovely girl who was caucasian and needed that Kimmy K undereye effect, I used Radiant Rose; and for a few clients that were quite fair, I used Light Boost.






Dab the product on, after eye makeup has been applied and your foundation is on. Work quickly with it, so as not to let it dry, making it harder to blend. Use a brush that is long and fluffy- a perfect option is the #224. Apply it lightly and in a triangle (as mentioned in previous posts on how to apply underyeye concealer most affectively) from the corner of the eye, to the outer corner and connecting through down to the nose.

So... from what I hear, of late- it hasnt been the Touche Eclat that the key makeup artists have been calling for.

X

Lexi Mari

Its been a while kiddies, but Im back with a Miss Alexis, a fellow MAC/freelance artist.. my partner in crime for shoots and big jobs!

Lexi has been with MAC for a few years now, starting off in Head Office in Grosvenor St and working her way onto the floor and into the Events team. An amazing talent, an artist I look forward to seeing her work, due to her amazing blending skills and the overall glam affect she gives to all she works with!

I worked recently with her on a fun shoot and cant wait to show you guys the results! Really amazing and creative stuff!

Love this sexy little one!

Lexi's Top Tip!
For a perfectly nude lip, buff concealer all over a well conditioned and exfoliated lip. After blocking out any pink with the concealer, apply
your lipliner all over the lip and then swipe on some Myth!

In terms of her Top 5 products!

#1 MAC Lipstick in Myth

Its a laugh on counter how much Lex loves this pale, nude lipstick. She does wear it oh so well though! A great nude shade she believes, that can be worked onto many skin tones!

#2 Fluidline in BlackTrack

A product she is bound to use on most of her clients. This product has been raved about most of the artists on this blog! A gel liner that, when used with a brush, gives the cleanest and strongest of lines!

#3 Prolong Wear Concealer

Since this little baby hit the counters last year, it has become very artists favourite! Lexi loves the flawless finish it provides and its ability to act as a foundation if it is required!

#4 Painterly Paintpot

Seems to be a pattern doesnt there? ha! By now, ive mentioned just how important having a paint or paintpot on the eye underneath the eyeshadows.. and Lexi couldnt agree more. Painterly is her fav due to its adaptability to all difference skin types. The overall affect leaves the eye looking smooth and the eyeshadow pigment payoff looking amazing and lasting forever!

#5 Mineralise Pressed Powder

Lexi loves these powders, and are a staple in her kit. Can be used on all skin types and gives a soft finish to your base, without it looking cakey or overally matte.

Thankyou my beautiful Lexi!!! XXX

                                  

Finally arrived! Autumn Winter 2011-12 Makeup Trends!

Its so easy to get tired and bored of a trend and given that I work in an industry in which trends dominate- you're always craving the new and exciting ones to hit the streets.

The whole "trends" is a funny thing.. I kind of love them but kinda loathe them at the same time. I respect and admire the guideline inspiration it brings to my everyday work life and also the right understanding for what the public wants, but I hate the idea of conforming to an expectation.

Working at MAC is fun for a dominant reason that you are constantly surrounded by other artists who follow their own styles and looks. So, when surrounded by all that love- we tend to create our own looks, likes and loves between us.

And with time.. I want to share these funny lil trends us guys on the counter love so much! But for this particular post I really want to share with you some of the key trends coming through from the fashion world for A/W 11-12!

Let's check up the new makeup trends for the Fall 2011/ Winter 2012 season and try to find your own inspirarion.

Natural Look.

A trend that never goes out of fashion. Fast & easy. Keep to matte or shiney skin, neutral shades, rosy cheeks and natural lip tone.

Where: Balmain, Stella McCartney, Versace, Valentino, Alexander Wang.

 

Dark natural eyebrow.

YAY!!

Natural shaped and dark eybrow, which frame the face can and will make your makeup complete.

Where: Oscar De la Renta, Alexander Wang, Lanvin. 

Warm autumn makeup.

Try to use brown and orange eyeshadows and forget about tanned skin.

Where: Chloe, Prada, Versace.

Natural look + lined eyes.

Clean, strong and simple. This look has dominated for so long and its not going anywhere!

Where: Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana.

 

Smokey olive makeup.

Without any accent on the lips, the eyes are defined in an olive palette.

Where: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Chanel.

Red and purple lips.

The general rule is to wear either heavy eye makeup or bold lips, so I prefer deep red or mystical purple on our lips. 

Where: Miu Miu, Gucci, Yves Sain Laurent.

 

 

 

love love love love love

Im the kinda gal that loves to wear makeup, but really- if I had my way I would keep it nice and simple most of the time (dont get me wrong, compared to a normal person i probably wear WWAAAYYY to much..hehe) but my biggest problem.. makeup doesnt tend to wear well on my face. Liner always ends up on my chin, lipstick on my forehead, foundation smears everywhere... I could go on and trust me- its true. The other makeup artists I work with think its hilarious. For me- just plain annoying.

So! When I only stupidly discovered MACs Liquid Last liners recently I felt like a big arse lightbulb went off over my head.. these bad boys are waterproof! And I mean.. you can go swimming, rub ur eyes frantically and have watery eye syndrome (like many people I know) and the line wont budge.


             Aqualine

So today, after being inspired by some others on counter I wacked Aqualine around my eye in a thin line.. to give my eye a bright pop! without too much product. Really keeping in line of the Pop Classic trends for S/S 11, this subtle way to add colour is also a brilliant concept for those who will be enjoy the sun and surf and hate the thought of reapplying or having liner all down their face. Theres heaps of other colours.. black for your standard liner, a plummy purple for a smokey affect, a navy and a few more.

Im so excited that I can head out for some drinks knowing that, though I may be acting aorse for wear- my makeup wont be and whilst on holidays in Serbia and Croatia in a couple of weeks time- no amount of swimming or sweating will hold me back!

x

Summer Sessions

In London, it has been a long, snow filled winter. At times so impossibly hard and at others- absoultely breathtaking. But for all the 'hardship' we have endured over Winter, we who live here have been rewarded with the hottest Spring in 350years...

The weather has been superbly on show and treating us to rediculously long days, singing birds and at times, a sweat! So now that summer is upon us I look forward to having fun at festivals, Sunday afternoons spent trolling through markets and nights sitting on decks enjoying a cider.

Music is the most perfect accompaniment to such fine things and long have I loved blasting music into my ears as I coast around it cars and sit outside in heat. Having recently been to a number of gigs and shows I have been draining Spotify of all its minutes to update my senses and fill my need for pretty tunes.

Currently on my playlist:

Radiohead 'The King of Limbs'
Sigur Ros
Arcade Fire
Adele
The xx
Sade 'The Ultimate Collection'
Boy & Bear
The Black Keys
Aloe Blacc
The Staves
Husky
Angus & Julia Stone 'Down the Way'
Noah and the Whale
Lykke Li
Miami Horror
Jeff Buckley (always need him and some other staples in my life!)
Sia

and look...I could actually go forever and always have new songs popping up- but these guys are always hanging around!

In terms of makeup, people always come to me asking for makeup that will stay put and not run around. Tips for gettin you through this festival season and through the heat..

- Always have a powder in your bag to take away excess shine
- Wear water based foundation.. when its water based, its water resistant so wont budge! Try teaming MACs Face & Body with Select cover concealer for a light, heat proof cover.
- Keep products on the face minimal.. a pop of colour on the lips, a highlight on the cheeks and eyes and mascara... easy!

Products currently loving..

MACs Surf Baby Collection:
- Ocean Dip nail varnish (deep aqua green)
- Amazing Careblend Bronzers (sit nice and close to the skin..dont look muddy!)
- Hibiscus lippy (corally orange..deeper than most!)
- Surf USA & Saffrom eyeshadows


Surf USA eyeshadow

MACs Flight Collection:
- Purple & Blue mascara.. loving a pop of colour on the eyes in a really subtle way!
- Trophy Big Bounce gel shadow.. amazing on eyes and highlight point but make sure you use it with a synthetic brush!

Other brands:

Chanels Mimosa yellow nail varnish
YSLs amazing summer lipsticks.. great bright colours!
Bumble & Bumble hair prods.. a new addition to my hair system. So far- amazing! Im using the Quench Shampoo, Mend Conditioner and Deeep Treatment. A big help to getting my over bleached locks..



Enjoy x

PINK

Seemingly, as summer steadily approaches and idea of hot balmy nights excites me, I am also excited about one particular colour...pink.

The looks available to wear with pink these next few seasons are endless... whether you decide to go for a bold and daring neon pink (as discussed in the 'Quite Cute' post a few weeks back), a hotpink lip- the perfect accompaniment to beautifully natural, dewy skin.. using 'Show Orchid' or 'Girl About Town' by MAC or for a much subtler, romantic look..go for a soft wash of colour...


Girl About Town

For day to day looks or even for a night where you dont feel like having too much imapct with your look- you would just rather compliment your floral dress, having a tinted lip conditioner on the lip may be all you need.. I use religiously 'Fuchia Fix' by MAC or another colour 'Petting Pink' for a prettier affect.

   
Petting Pink

Make sure you understand the benefit of highlighting your face. The planes of your face must be always empahasised, and if you feel- like me, that you dont necessarily have amazing strength to your features..fake it! Using contouring and highlighting on the face is so important, and when I have lessons with clients- its almost the number one rule I insist on when it comes to their makeup. I have discussed contouring before (just go to the contouring tab at the bottom of the page), but something that it totally intoxicating me at present is the heavy use of highlights. To give your skin a beautifully glowy look, allowing your skin to scream "Look how healthy and natural I am!!".. use products that have a wetter consistency. I have previously raved about MAC's 'Soft & Gentle' highlight powder, but try something new- MAC's Cream Colour Bases or a highlighting gel/liquid.. pat the product softly on the highest points of your cheekbones..and arch it around up to your temple and above your brow bone, stopping just before your brow arch. Other places to highlight are the bridge of your nose, your cupids bow (middle of top lip) and your chin.

Other products which can help tie in the look is some soft pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. Ones I would recommend are:

Darker skin: MACs Dollymix, Benefits Coralista
Medium: MACs Fleur Power, Nars Orgasm
Light: MAC's Pink Swoon, MACs Blushbaby or Benefits Thrrob


Orgasm

On the eyes- go for a nude eye or a nude with just a slight tint of pink.. and make sure you add just a really fine line of liquid liner along the top lash, to frame it or for an even more natural look- omit the liner and use a brown eyeshadow and smudge into the lash line to frame the eye. To top it off, use a mascara which will define and lengthen, but wont clump or bulk up the lash..remember, its all about a soft, delicate look.


Ellie Saab S/S11


Valentino S/S 11


Chanel Cruise Show 11-12

X

Alexa

Fitting timing for a new post- I do so on the day that I discover the exciting news that a lady very close to my fashion style-less heart- Alexa Chung, will be appearing on Vogue UKs June cover.

\











But its not only Alexa's fashion style that has me weak at the knees, its also her barely there, quick and simple makeup that has me going! I love her makeup sense, in that she never feels the need to wear too much or too over the top makeup. She works her natural features simply and effectively.

Normally on the eyes she'll line them with a dark brown kohl (know for a fact shes got a major crush on MACs Teddy Kohl Pencil), with the occassional flick. For eyeshadow colours shell tend to stick to earth matte tones, to keep it simple and effective. On the skin she has used La Prairie Cavier Foundation with the creamy concealer on top. This foundation, with a whopping price tag attached is stunning. The caiver means the skin is perfectly illuminated without too much oil in the product to cause patching, lines or giving a cakey look. She teams this product with YSL's Touche Eclat. A perfect combination of a natural looking base, with the highlighter under the eyes for a natural brighter eye.

And with a quick swipe of mascara, and one of two combos- some baby doll pink blush and matching matte lipstick; or a nice ginger blush and a nice red lip.. shes ready to go!

But dont also forget kids that its not only Alexa that knows the benefits of having a really well prepared skin under her makeup. If you ask any fashion makeup artist out there- mua's spend more time preparing the skin before makeup then on the makeup itself. Get yourself into it now, if you havnt already!

I personally use the Creme de la mer oil cleanser, so that I can use it as a double cleanser. For the days that I am wearing makeup (most, if not all ;) ). Once on the dry skin it sloughs away the malkeup, with the oil breaking down everything on the skin..then splash on some warm water to make it react and it kicks into its next stage of cleansing. I then team in with my Clarins Multi- Active day cream and my creme de la mer eye concentrate.

Alexa personally likes Keihls and Dr. Hauschka (organic brand). Both of which are lovely also.

Enjoy x