NARS- Illuminator

The NARS illuminator in shade Orgasm is the perfect peachy/apricot nude shade for cheeks, I often use it as a base and then layer a sheer touch of powder blush over the top for a hint of colour on the cheeks. This shade literally suits all skin tones- use "neat" on the highest point of cheekbones as a highlighter for an interesting alternative to champagne-y shades.

Autumn Winter Smokey eye

The smokey eye is still "on trend" this A/W as well as a bolder use of colour (see post about Blue eyes). I have taken inspiration with this look by combining a bolder "overlay" of colour over a smokey eye with a nude lip and a touch of apricot on the cheeks, this look is a strong eye but with that balance and wear-ability because of the muted cheek and lip.
Skin needs to be a flawless base.
Model- the gorgeous Eirini.

A little trio for eyes from my kit

I believe the power of a great mascara is 50% in the actual formulation and 50% about the brush, I personally love both from these 2 mascara "greats" they have a perfect balance of both.

The Givenchy mascara because of the innovative spherical brush you can coat even the smallest, lash without overloading the lash. It lengthens easily with an intense colour pay off. Precision lash effect.

Diorshow Extase is my favourite Dior Mascara- it has no "fall out" so stays immaculate looking for hours, it really adds volume to the lashes and I find despite the fact that it is quite a rich and creamy formulation it is very build able. Lush lashes.

As a "treatment" for all eyes from young and just a little dehydrated to more mature and in need of an intense moisture boost, I swear by this particular treatment "All about Eyes Serum" from Clinique.  It is layer able because it is lightweight and is very soothing and de-puffing. LOVE IT, a real miracle worker.

Le Labo- temptation of a new fragrance.

I have wanted to find a new "signature" scent, I have been wearing Molecule #1 for months and Chanel Christal (Vert version) for some 3 summers. I found my new scent whilst shopping on Sunday with my friend Dani.
Le Labo is an amazing perfume shop just off Marylebone High Street tucked away on Devonshire Street. I sniffed my way around every scent and kept coming back to Jasmin 17. It is a jasmin with a little citrus, sandalwood and vanilla, it is feminine and Jasmin is a classic but this definitely has a modern twist and I am so happy to have found a scent that is  so different and yet so familiar.
Interestingly the original version of Chanel's Christal is a blend of Jasmin with citrus, I used to wear this as a teenager, so although I have outgrown the scent I used to wear over 20 years ago this new scent feels strangely like coming home.

Check out Le Labo
http://www.lelabofragrances.com/

Or at Liberty:
http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/designer/le-labo

Shoot crediting Pixi for a campaign

The gorgeous Rebecca.
These are just my basic snaps - not re-touched, I always take my own picture as I am going to make sure that the make up "performs" in photos.

The "look" was a super natural/barely there look, the make up was before the hair and Rebecca was going to have a loose ballerina bun.
Cleanse, tone, moisturise

• Flawless & poreless primer
• Sheerbase foundation mixing 1/2 & 1/2 No.2 & No.3 to make 2 and a 1/2 I guess :)
• Correction concentrate to erase dark circles under the eyes
• Nude shade wardrobe on the eyes to give a "Fresh", defined look  highlighting the inner corner of the eye.
• Black endless silky eye pencil touched into the lashes and then blended out.
• Curled lashes with Shu Uemura curlers and 2 coats of Voluptuous lash mascara
• Natural shade of sheer cheek gel (for a soft flush of pink)
• Vintage rose Lip & line for an "enhanced" lip colour with berry balm over the top for a dewy finish.

Sam had so much personality, it was a joy to work with him, he is in a band and will be fronting the next Lacoste campaign he has that Jeff Buckley/James Franco/Young Richard Gere thing going on. What a cool guy! With his band he is playing a couple of festivals this year- whether modelling or music my "witchy antennae" tells me he is going to be huge!!!
Make up- grooming, less is more, everything has to be imperceptible but flawless.
Skincare: Cleanse- moisturise with an oil (that penetrates immediately) .
I used:

• Flawless Beauty stick #3, just blended in wherever needed
• correction concentrate to neutralize dark circles
• vanilla lip balm
• lash booster mascara mixed with a tiny bit of lip balm to define the lashes
• Sunkissed sheer cheek gel (ultra sparingly across the cheekbones)
• Finished with the flawless beauty powder in #3 for a velvet/matte finish.
• brows just brushed into shape

All make up by Pixi.
www.pixibeauty.com
www.pixibeauty.co.uk

Mystical Big Whiskers

Big Whiskers with a crystal- totally supercharging that crystal with his paw.
Mr Whiskers would definitely be Gryffindor :)

My Kit- a little "sharing" what's in it Part 1.

Some Mineral make up from Bella Pierre, I also like Inika Nurture #14 (powder but did not photo it) I like minerals to use sparingly to "buff into the skin for a flawless look. Bella Pierre has an amazing range of shades and blends so easily.

Some sachets- Nail varnish remover pads from CVS pharmacy in New York- you just never know when you are going to need them on a job- these are so effective. Frais hand sanitizer- this contains 8 anti bacterial essential oils it is INCREDIBLE- again I purchased from the US and will have to replenish.............soon, the smell is amazing as it contains the essential oil blend of ginger, tangerine, lemon myrtle, niaouli, orange, basil, grapefruit, and cardamom

Rebecca Korner eye cream, a light yet nourishing treatment for the eyes, the Lift Lumiere concealer from Chanel- I use this as a full coverage but moisturising concealer all over the face- has a very velvety finish and some of the water and pigment shadows from chanel- these blend and "dry" on the lid, so I use them like a base too as shadow really adheres to them LOVE these.

Just a small selection of the kind of base in my kit, the Vitalumiere from Chanel- is a great adaptive base that you can "sheer" out or layer for a flawless finish. I like the Clinique Redness make up even just on cheeks where the skin is a little red or there is rosacea, it really tones down redness because of the texture and also the probiotic ingredients topically treat the skin too.
Always nice to have a nosey around someones make up bag :), I will of course post some more xxx

Marianna's Wedding excuse the quality of the photos

These are just a couple of snaps that I took from Marianna's wedding on Saturday- I can't wait for the professional images, it was just to give you an idea of the fresh look that we settled on for the day. Marianna is very natural and does not wear a lot of make up so it was more about enhancing rather than making her look unrecognisable.  Gorgeous, I love the hair piece and the dress really simple and elegant.
M's mum looks so proud- job well done.

It was at the gorgeous boutique hotel Stoke Place, the whole thing just came together beautifully phew!!!!


 xxx

Fall colour Trends- Part 1 A tale of 2 blues.

Dior Fall 2011

NARS- Fall 2011

 Blue but interpreted in 2 such diverse ways. Dior have
gone for a smokey Sapphire with strong blue
on the nails (very wearable) where as NARS has
gone Electric colour block very bold

Interestingly both have nude "milky" apricot/nude lips
and cheeks with a contour rather than definitive
colour, complexion both velvety matte and eyes
"feline" in an elongated shape.

The easiest way to work the electro blue is to use it
as a liner close to the lashes in a "graphic" flash of
colour close to the line and then kicked out.

I will post an interpretation with how to, soon- I know
I know seems so unnecessary as the warmth has
just kicked in (in the UK) but, the dark nights, nip in the
air will be here all too soon and you will be
thanking me for this :)

Muaaaaaahhhhhh I'll be back xxx