Colour crush.............Coral-red lips.....yes please!

A strange thing happens to me every summer............. I change my style a little and become a little more groomed and vintage-y.Trend Summer clothes don't suit me, I look hideous!!! So I suppose I try and detract away from the fact that although I love Spring Summer, the clothes are *not my thing* by wearing vibrant lips & nails to inject a frisson . To illustrate further: I received a newletter today from a company about "Why we love a white jean".....I do not "love" a white jean (on me) on some people they look absolutely lovely but for me.... I'll pass!

But....let's talk colour.....I love coral, I love red- so it is an absolute given that I love coral-red!  Yes I am that *simple* or *uncomplicated* if you want to be forgiving :) I like to partner 2 particular products to give a very strong *pop* of intense colour. The Lush colour is very pigmented and stains the lips and the myface gloss gives ultra shiny lips without sticky-ness Yay!

My favourite duo to create a *vibrant*coral red Lush-Power & myface lipgloss #336

Heart- Lush Power & dots myface lip gloss #336 Med/Dark

Looky, a little more *put together* :)

* No PR samples- Mine I tell you all mine............................cackles off into the sunset!

Great Gatsby.......get the look!

If you want to find out how to......get Great Gatsby make up, check out the article that I contributed to below.

http://style.uk.msn.com/beauty/get-the-great-gatsby-look

Recent Portrait shoot.....

Model- (Gorgeous) Marta
Make up: Me
Hair: Natalie Shirlaw
Photographer: Andrea Vecchiato

I just love this shot, hair touseled, make up  was kept sexy and a little smokey.

Oh yes....... Hello Palm trees.

I have a big trip coming up: Toronto-Los Angeles- New York and then home. Possibly back to Los Angeles in July. Hello Palm trees :)

Press day at Soho House for Darling AW13 collection (& Pixi ).

Look Book for AW13 collection

The Pixi collection that we had to work with.

Part of the gorgeous collection.

The amazing Hollie creating beautiful Pixi nails.

Fabulous Jade who was my right hand for the day.

The gorgeous Soho house was the venue for the AW13 press day for Darling clothing's collection.
The AW clothes collection is absolutely amazing with lots of beautiful metallics in shades like: pewter, antique bronze & copper, if like me you are a bit of a *coat* person- I LOVE, LOVE a winter coat- there are some absolutely beautiful pieces. 

Some of my Make up work of late........behind the scenes.

As shoot was in full flow- think Virgin suicides vibe.

Hair done, Make up done.- think utility chic.

These are 2 shots from behind the scenes, it is a make up trend shoot with 4 looks in total and the finished shots look incredible. The make up was transformed from barely there glamour grunge and we ended up with a turquoise eye and insanely glossy lip. But the skin remained flawless all the way through. Hair and make up worked beautifully together and Natalie and I worked as a *tag team* so that everything worked in synergy with each look.

Model: Sylvia Mann
Make up: Me
Hair: Natalie Shirlaw
Photographer- me (of the behind the scenes snaps ) me- but the real *talent* Andrea Vecchiato

The Body Shop-All-In-One BB cream ...Review!

The Body Shop All-in-one BB cream, 3 shades, 25ml  £12.00

What they Say:

Our new All-In-One BB cream transforms from a white cream to suit your skin tone. Pigment-filled capsules burst when applied to the skin, releasing the colour inside. Just blend for a perfect match and an even, undetectable finish. It’s make-up and skincare in one.

• Adapts to your skin tone
• Light to medium coverage
• Even finish
• 24-hour hydration
• Non-clogging

Ingredients: Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Isohexadecane (Emollient/Solvent), Hydrogenated Polydecene (Skin Conditioning Agent), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Skin Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Glycerin (Humectant), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emollient), Mica (Opacifier), Phenethyl Alcohol (Fragrance Ingredient), Magnesium Sulfate (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Sodium Chloride (Viscosity Modifier), Glyceryl Caprylate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Polyester-1 (Film Former), Silica Dimethyl Silylate (Binder/Viscosity Modifier), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (Binder), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Skin Conditioning Agent), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Glycine Soja Oil (Emollient/Skin Conditioner). [+/- CI 77891 (Colour), CI 77492 (Colour), CI 77491 (Colour), CI 77499 (Colour)].

A white cream that contains the pigment.

As it blends out.

What I think:

A lovely moisturising white cream that contains small dots of pigment that disperse into the skin as the product is rubbed in/applied. It gives a fresh/moist finish to the skin, it blends very easily and definitely imparts a warmer and healthy glow. It feels like skincare with pigment and for a skin that is balanced you probably won't need a moisturiser underneath. It gives a lighter coverage so is very much like a 2nd skin. It has a dewy finish. My skin because of (what feels like) the eternal winter of discontent has been definitely drier than normal and in need of extra TLC and this was a lovely finish and texture. Barely there. I would say this was for: Dry/Normal and a very lightly combination skin.

Pros:

Very much skincare with colour

A fresh/dewy finish

Blends seamlessly into the skin

Evens skintone

Very flattering 

Did not irritate my skin at all

A fab all-in-one base

No flashback

Excellent quality for the price point.

Cons:

For some a con- not oil free

For some- not a matte finish

Definitely comes up a little *warmer* than expected so look at the shade down as well (in case).

Limited shades for deeper skins

Concealer would be necessary for areas needing a little extra coverage.

No sunscreen

The finished result, healthy glowing skin. Definitely a little *warmer* than other medium shades.

* This was kindly sent for me to test which I did and I genuinely was very impressed. Not an afilliate just a fan.

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/face/all-in-one-bb-cream.aspx

Now you are talking, palm trees, blue skies very little traffic on the roads & the old cars just gorgeous! If only I had a time machine...............!

A shoot with Jack Fox.

Photographer: Andrea Vecchiato, Grooming: Me.

What a total *character*, hilariously funny and super cool! 

Recent Look- Vintage inspired make up!

A simple vintage make up look.

Skin was demi-matte with medium coverage for quite a polished/flawless look.
Brows were arched and defined, liner used to create a little *drama*. A colour wash of taupe was used across the lid with a rich brown taken through the crease of the eye. Lashes curled and a coat of mascara.
Cheeks were kept to a soft apricot for just a hint of colour and lips a true *vintage* geranium red. A classic look!

Mood *lifter* Cowshed Grumpy Cow......LOVE!

Honestly! I have been in a bad mood, a foul mood a total buzz kill/crabby patty etc etc! When I am not at my most sociable, I go for a walk (on my own) to clear my head and I walked from High Street Kensington to Victoria in a freezing wind/snow and I felt so much better.  I also treated myself to my favourite uplifting duo as well for a little petitgrain/citrus action.

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Bath & shower gel and body lotion.

What they say:

• Grumpy Cow Uplifting Bath & Shower Gel is a citrus blend with essential oils of red mandarin, petitgrain and grapefruit to invigorate the senses whilst petitgrain purifies the mind.  Leaves you feeling energised. 
• Grumpy Cow Uplifting Body Lotion is a citrus blend that leaves you feeling energised with essential oils of red mandarin, petitgrain and grapefruit. Red mandarin invigorates the senses whilst petitgrain purifies the mind. 

This duo I LOVE for blowing the cobwebs away I am a huge fan of petitgrain as an oil/aroma and combine that with the red mandarin and grapefruit ..........zesty! The shower gel is very gentle and can be used as a bath foam and the body lotion softens the skin but does not leave a residue. Every time I go to Cowshed I have a sniff of all of the aromas and this is the one that I keep coming back to.........well there is nothing wrong with being a grumpy cow every once in a while. A much wiser person than me once said *To thyself be true* go for a walk, clear your head and wash the crabbies away and did I mention I sneaked in an Espresso and a very nice slice of cake too...maybe I didn't :) but it was lovely!

If all else fails watch this......................................it cracks me up every time ...!
Enjoy! x

Royal & Langnickel SILK Pro Super Foundation Brush C142.

Detail of head C142 brush

C142 Brush

I have many foundation brushes in my kit and sometimes favour a slightly larger concealer brush for precision foundation application (this technique works amazingly with very fluid foundations) but for foundations that were a little creamier, for blending stick foundations out, for creme bronzer, blusher or anything I wanted to really *buff* into the skin I wanted to add to my brushes for that purpose and I have been using this particular brush for several months and I LOVE it! It is short handled, beautifully weighted, a dense, nylon hair that is cut to a dome finish. I find it incredible for polishing foundation into the skin and blending contouring/creamy textures out for a seamless finish.  I cannot crow enough about this brush! LOVE it!

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #32- La Ravissante.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #32 - La Ravissante

If you need a little *lift* & the snow in April not your bag! Then try something with a little *flavour*, I have switched from nudes/glosses to something to give me a matte stain and resorted to my old faithful lipstick. It can be worn *sheer*( by patting it on the lips) or full coverage, it is a beautiful muted coral that errs on the slightly warmer side. Perfect for a little extra colour when it is drab outside!

A velvety matte texture with excellent staying power (even when worn as a sheer stain), I also use a little on the apples of the cheeks as a cream blush.....granny style :)

Note* Not new/not this season but an old fave of mine :) that I keep re-purchasing.

Beauty steal.....Killer Curves Mascara from Collection cosmetics... Review.

Collection- Killer Curves Mascara- Ultra Black £2.99 8ml

I do like to have a mooch in Lloyds pharmacy (in fact I will have a mooch in pretty much any pharmacy) my local Lloyds sells La Roche Posay (say no more) and I of course always have a look at the cosmetics too (force of habit).
I purchased this for £2.99 on my last visit (t'was on special) from the re-vamped what was collection 2000 and is now TV announcer's voice *Collection Cosmetics*, I am ALWAYS trying new mascaras for me and the kit as you just never know.....! This was the price of a coffee which kind of span me out. I was very, very pleasantly surprised!

What they say:

Killer curves deliver unrivalled curve and volume to your lashes. Unleash your inner Marilyn and flaunt your curves - killer curved brush delivers maximum curve to even the smallest of lashes!

Enhanced with latex polymers to set lashes for lasting curve and voluptuous volume

My review:
Pros:

• A very generous 8ml
• Well pigmented
• A decent coverage mascara that gives length and thickness
• A definite *volumizing* effect to the lashes
• A drier mascara that does not smudge nor flake
• Non irritating
• Spoolie brush with a curved hourglass shape excellent for catching all lashes
• Really *holds* lashes after using eyelash curlers.
• Price point... £2.99

Cons:

• From what I can see it only comes in black
• I cannot say that it enhanced the curve of my lashes if I did not curl
• It is a *drier* mascara texture which is not for everyone

For the price point it is excellent and I will definitely try other mascaras from the range. I have had a look and without the dealio it retails from £3.99-£4.99

Recent shoot with Tom Rosenthal.

Tom is a brilliant actor and you may know him from Friday Night Dinner and he is now the lead role in a comedy on ITV called Plebs. It was a very *natural*  hair and make up, so I focused on a very barely there but perfect skin.

Photographer Andrea Vecchiato.

Picture heavy post. Through the keyhole....

So after 6 years we will be moving, I grew up in a family that moved frequently and I actually quite like it, I love change. Best things about *sorting the house out* having a throw out- very cathartic and finding old photographs and things you have not seen for ages. Worst thing for me is the getting house organised for the valuation, anyway....all sorted and the house is on the market!!!! So here is a post of some pictures of the things that make this house my *home*. As a child I loved *through the keyhole* TV programme so this is a little nose through the keyhole.

Welcome!

The boys

My little girl.

ABC Costume shop- Berkhamsted.

ABC Costume hire- Berkhamsted- go through the doors and down the stairs to a veritable cornucopia of *goodies*!

The AMAZING selection of stock.

I could spend hours here.

A true innovation *wound* tattoos

More Wound tattoos.

So many amazing things to buy as well as the costumes to hire.

Theatrical Make up supplies fabulous quality and the prices are so reasonable!!!!!

Trying on the cat's ears

To say I have a fascination with costume shops is putting it lightly, I personally think it stems from the cartoon Mr Benn where Mr B would disappear into a changing room and change into a costume and then proceed to have a fantastical adventure befitting of the costume, the shopkeeper was a magical man that would always appear to take Mr Benn back to the shop/changing room.
This is my favourite costume shop and I have been coming here for years for theatrical make up supplies, props and I suppose for inspiration. It is an institution within the area of Berkhamsted (but they do mail order for purchases) and are in the process of setting up an online shop which will be EPIC!!!

They hire out costumes and sell some props/costumes, accessories and also stock a fantastic array of pro-make up/theatrical make up. I never, ever leave empty handed.

They have customers from around the world and it is one of those small independent businesses that you can see the passion of the owners. The service is amazing with the owner being so knowledgeable and helpful and always buying new and innovative little *extras*.

Like the FX transfers- they apply like a temporary tattoo but they have an ultra realistic/3d finish for wounds, they were developed by an Oscar winning make up artist for large films like Pearl Harbour where the make up department had 100's of extras that they had to create wounds for and have amazing detail/perfect continuity. The quality is amazing!

http://www.abccostumehire.co.uk/

Mr Benn.

Behind the scenes shooting with Jimmy Q. Hair & make up work.

I had the absolute pleasure of shooting with an amazing male model Jimmy Q and these are 2 of my behind the scenes shots (from the sidelines). Jimmy is from Venice Beach California was a pro skater and is literally as cool as it gets, he is *the male model* of the moment and is such a renaissance man. He looks absolutely amazing in the shots and the styling/clothes are incredible- I will share when I can. This is one of 3 looks I created a sleek quiff with flawless skin, contouring and a little smudged out liner across the lash line.