OPI Gwen Stefani Collection

If you love red lips, porcelain skin and embracing the crop tops, bindis and top knots of the 90's, then you'll be just as delighted as I am, to hear Gwen Stefani is the latest celebrity to collaborate with nail brand OPI.

R-L Lisa, Suzi and I

Today, press, buyers and bloggers alike joined the teams from OPI UK and Coty for a sneaky look at the collection, and a special presentation from Artistic Director, Suzi Weiss- Fischmann.

Suzi, who is based at OPI HQ over in North Hollywood lives and breathes OPI and absolutely adores colour. I'll admit I had a bad case of butterflies meeting such an iconic women, but she was so charming, warm and friendly. Then, I suppose her bubbly personality shines through in every bottle of OPI lacquer- she is the creative mind behind each and every shade, from I'm Not Really A Waitress to Suzi's Hungray again, they all lead back to her.

Suzi's presentation

During her presentation, Suzi touched on the history of colour and our long term love of expressing our emotions through nail lacquer. From the classic red tones and stilleto shaped talons of the 50's, frosted nudes and the introduction of floral nail art in the 60's to the bright colours, glitters and creative adornment in the 80s- today we a inspired and influenced by it all. 

Suzi herself was inspired by the 2013 Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala that featured the theme “Punk: Chaos to Couture", for the latest collection- and she knew just which women to turn to. Singer, designer, businesswomen and mother- Gwen Stefani.

Famed for her experimental fashion, Gwen has always finished her look with bold eyes, a statement lip and nail shade. The ultimate beauty idol for us experimental girls!

 This collection offers seven unique shades, complete with a variety of textures and finishes.

From the classic red and Gwens signature hue,  Over & Over A-Gwen, to sparkly sliver glitter In True Stefani Fashion, and creme pink Hey Baby plus deep, dark  I Sing in Color, this collection offers a great variety.

If you prefer to finish your manicure with the matte top coat, then try Love.Angel.Music.Baby and 4 in the Morning, which don't require a top coat and dry to a satin finish. I can't wait to try these two together- wearing mostly the deep green hues of 4 in the Morning, teamed with the golden Love.Angel.Music.Baby on my ring finger 

Gwen Stefani collection

For a totally show stopping mani, I'd suggest Push and Shove, a bold chrome hue. Just like the satin finish lacquers, this is also worn without top coat but does require a special base coat – Lay Down that Base, which is complimentary. Simply apply one thin coat of Lay Down that Base, followed with two thin coats of Push and Shove, for an intense, mirrored finish. Plus, if you are a fan of nail art, make sure you grab the special edition of Over & Over A-Gwen, which is teamed with Swarovski black crystals and silver, gold and pewter studs in bar, square, diamond and circle shapes in a variety of sizes.

With a variety of textures, bold shades, and an endorsement from Ms Stefani herself, this is one limited collection that won't be around for long. Take my advice, get your mitts on it when you can!

Working With Strictly's Flavia at QVC

It's only Wednesday and already this week has been a manically busy one!

I started Monday with a visit down to London, for 3 QVC shows with professional nail brand OPI. This month I will mainly be introducing the Autumn Winter collection, which is inspired by the chic, cosmopolitan city of San Francisco! I fell in love with the collection at the press launch back in April, which you can read all about here, and this collection features all 5 of my favourite shades this season!

Featuring 5 of OPI's best selling, award winning treatments and 5 professional nail lacquers, for only £23.88, this collection is definitely worth snapping up while you can!

One of the shows also featured professional dancer and star of BBC show 'Strictly Come Dancing', Flavia Cacace and astrologer Russell Grant, who have together created a dance workout DVD, Zalza. I was lucky enough to be sharing the set and a dressing room with the pair, who were an absolute joy to work with.

Prior to going to air, I prepped Flavia's nails with OPI Non Acetone Polish Remover on OPI Lint Free Nail Wipes, which are much more easier to use than cotton wool pads! Next, I buffed Flavia's nails to remove any ridges and dead skin cells. I then applied Matte Nail Envy as a base coat, which not only provides a fantastic base to 'grab' colour, it also treats the nails to wheat protein and calcium which help to strengthen nails! Flavia likes to wear warm red tones on her nails, so the San Fran ruby red First Date At Golden Gate was an obvious choice. Two coats later, I finished her manicure with Rapi-Dry Top Coat and a Rapi-Dry drops, meaning Flavia was free to finish her preparation for the show! 

I will be back on air Thursday 22nd at 11am and Thursday 29th at 1pm if you want to try these gorgeous new colours for yourself!

Having fun on air at QVC!

Transforming Hollyoaks to Hollywood at So Coco Rouge

Well this is a very over-due blog post!! 
It's been a busy few months, with me working between London and in Liverpool at So Coco Rouge, so please excuse by lack of blogging!

Being Liverpool based, at So Coco Rouge, we are lucky to count some of the locals from Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks as regulars. From the Soap Awards to cast parties, the girls know where to come when they are in need of a bit of pampering!

 Last Friday, the gorgeous Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove, celebrated leaving the soap, by holding a 'Dead Celebrities' party at a local Liverpool club. This meant for lots of fun for the So Coco Rouge team who had the task of transforming Bianca and her fellow cast members Jessica Forrest and Alice Barlow into their Hollywood disguises!

Jessica Forrest as Marilyn Monroe and
 Bianca Hendrickse Spendlove as Cleopatra

Alice Barlow as Anna Nicole Smith

At the 2012 Inside Soap Awards, Karen Hassan, took the purse savvy decision to recycle one of her fellow cast members dresses, wearing a backless gold sequined number. SCR Co-owner and make-up artist, Robyn carried the golden tones into Karen's eye make-up, enhancing her eye shape with a soft smokiness to the outer corners, finished with lots of liner and lashes. Make-up Forever HD foundation mixed with a little of Benefit's Moon Beam ensured Karen's skin was flawless with a natural golden glow. Natural glossy lips and softly waved hair, which Karen later pulled into a pony tail completed her look.

Karen Hassan on the Red carpet.

Cricket's Annual Show with Art Deco Make-up

Working as a make-up artist, I'm lucky enough to use a variety of different products. One brand that I keep in my kit is Art Deco- and their eye base is one of my favourite all time products!

 

Art Deco also have their own team of Creative's who can be hired for all sorts of projects, from televised award ceremonies to celebrity photo shoots.

 

Their latest project was for Liverpool's famous fashion store, Cricket, who were holding their annual fashion show just in time for Christmas. I was one of the lucky artists who was invited by Art Deco to work with them on the project!

 

 

Sally, head of make-up at Art Deco designed the looks using Amy, a stylist at Cricket's inspiration of 'Naria's Ice Queen.' And with this being Liverpool lots of glitter and gems were in order!

 

Image- Art Deco

Sally designed two looks- one focusing on a dark smokey eye and the other with a striking 'crystal brow' using a variety of art/craft items alongside lots of Art Deco products! Manicurist Laura, was also on hand to ensure the models nails continued the theme- lots and lots of silver glitter!

Image- Art Deco

 

Image- Art Deco

You can read a little more about who attended the event here and keep your eyes peeled in next week's OK! magazine, who covered the event.

 

 

Image- Art Deco

 

 



Vogue Fashion Night Out

Luckily for me, I happened to be working down in London this week! Which meant I could FINALLY attend a Vogue Fashion Night Out!! In a nutshell FNO was the brainchild of Vogue's Anna Wintour. The event encompasses fashion and music , with guest lists mixing of celebrities with the general public, to celebrate, shop and raise money for the Refuge charity.

First up we headed over to Carnaby Street (I resisted my favourite shop, Liberty, knowing that once in there I very rarely leave!) to an event being held by Think Publicity, who SCR Pro regularly supply creatives to. This event was celebrating the millinery talent of Rosie Olivia and a chance to showcase her AW12 and SS13 collections. Rosie is currently stocked in Fenwicks on Old Bond Street and thorough website Love Hats, which even lets you virtually try on her creations!!

I was lucky enough however to try one on for real!! I love this little leopard number, and think it should become part of my daily attire!!

Next stop was the Chanel Pop Up Boutique in the heart of Covent Garden- well with a business called Coco, how could I not?! Myself and my long time friend and designer Jen (Vasey Knitwear) tried all the new products including the gorgeous Coco Noir fragrance, which may be knocking my favourite Mademoiselle off its shelf!!

 

Our favourite items however were the limited edition Vogue lipstick and nail varnish sets, which you bought from a special Chanel vending machine!!! I couldn't even get near the machine to grab a pic myself, so here is good old Twitters version!!!

As a make-up artist I always love looking at little touches like these face charts. They were presented in a gorgeous Rouge (how fitting!) book and featured in depth step by step instructions on how to use the new products to create this seasons hottest looks.

The weather this week has been gorgeous- finally Summer has arrived!! If like me you suffer with humidity hair (thankfully I'm not as bad as Monica in that episode of Friends!!) then this ingenious idea from GHD is right up your street!!

This space ship looking vehicle is in fact a pop up hair salon, which parked itself in the centre of Covent Garden!

Passers by were able to drop in for a wash and blow dry at the fraction of the cost of a London salon.

However- I definitely wasn't brave enough to sit in the crowds with wet hair! Would you be?!